T-6, Obsolete Equipment?

[HarvardIV]

Hi Folks:

Got some questionable equipment in the firewall forward area. Does anyone know if the battery outlet pump is still used on the T-6? It looks like those are no longer used??

Thanks,

Chris

Hi Chris,

Sorry I can't help you with your question but I have one for you;

what size is the tailwheel hub on a Harvard? I have one in my shop that if I remember correctly is a 12" one but I don't know if it's for a Harvard or a P-51 - or either. Also, do you need an oil tank? I have one for a Mk II that was in with a bunch of BT-13 stuff I bought a while back. And you wouldn't have a spare battery sump jar, would you?

Dan Jones
warbirds@shaw.ca

[Tulio]

Hey, Dan:

Within the last week, there were brand new (NOS) jars for sale at Barnstormers, for North American aircraft (T-28s?).


Saludos,


Tulio

[Glenn Wegman]

Harvards were usually 12.50SC wheels which are a different size than 12 1/2 by 4 1/2 as used on AT6/SNJ/P-51BCD.

Glenn

[bdk]

Harvards were usually 12.50SC wheels which are a different size than 12 1/2 by 4 1/2 as used on AT6/SNJ/P-51BCD.

But the 12-1/2 x 4-1/2 wheel and tire will fit on a Harvard should you choose to install one. These usually have 4 or 5 bolts holding the halves together and were made by various manufacturers. The 12.50 Smooth Contour wheels have a snap ring that holds the rim on.

I think the one I have is the snap ring type. I'll have to take a look when I get back home. The two types of Stearman and the BT hub are both like that, but 10.00 SC.

[Glenn Wegman]

Hi Brandon,

Yes, I neglected to state that both wheels will fit the spindle, but good luck finding 12.50SC tires. That's why there are lots of 12.50SC wheels floating around! I believe that the 12.50 SC wheels are about 4" rather than 4-1/2".

Got some T-6 engine mounts, a rudder, and -5/7 Corsair engine mounts if you need 'em. Had a pile of T-6 parts, but sold 'em to a friend when I moved. He may still have some of the stuff for sale though, firewall, control surfaces, cowling, etc.


Glenn

The 10.00 SC tires are equally hard to find.

[bdk]

The 10.00 SC tires are equally hard to find.

And 8.00 SC even harder yet! I used to have an L-5.

It looks like Jay Wisler has 12.50 SC tires for $40:

http://www.warbird-parts.com/invent/wheels.htm

H-9 Tail wheel tire, Type 1, size 12.50", Navy, new, yellow tagged $ 40

[HarvardIV]

Hi guys:

Art Medore Jr. at Banaire was telling me that the trouble with the 12.5 S.C. tire is that it doesn't last as long on pavement, and that it doesn't give the airplane as good of control as the 12.5x4.5 wheel.

Basicly, he said the 12.5 s.c. tire works the best on grass strips, and was probably designed more for that use.

Thanks,

Chris

[Glenn Wegman]

Well, lets see know, here is where it gets confusing!

There is a 12.50SC which is a truely smooth contour as the SC states and it had a round profile which has a fairly small contact patch and is primarily for grass as Art stated. But, then there is also a 12.50 SC Rib, if that makes any sense. It's a rib type tire that has a similar squared off profile with a tread patern like to a 12-1/2" X 4-1/2" tire and works well on pavement. You might want to check with Jay and see which he has. I gave up trying to find one when I had my Harvard IV and switched to a 12-1/2" X 41/2" wheel and tire. You might want to consider the age of the tires before using them. They get pretty hard after twenty or thirty years!

Glenn

[HarvardIV]

Hi Glenn, thanks!

Yes, and then the other problem w/ the ribbed s.c. is that many are the Rayon tire. Totally worthless. Evidently they are so bad that they wear out in months.

Chris

Worse still, old wartime Rayon tires can give absolutley no warning about when they're gonna let go.

Goodyear (I think) was having the 10.00 SC tires made in South America somewhere (Brazil, I think) and they weren't hard to get up until a few years ago but apparently the mold was accidentally scrapped. I've got one on my Stearman and they're as good as any but now are getting kinda scarce. The Stearman Restorers Association is looking for a new source for them but I don't know where they are with that.

Dan

[bdk]

The Stearman Restorers Association is looking for a new source for them but I don't know where they are with that.

I think there was also an STC for wheel spacers that allowed the use of industrial or go-kart tires. Not sure how much of an improvement over Rayon that would be though!

A friend of mine hit upon a rather ingenious solution to the tire problem for his BT-13; he had a solid rubber tire machined down to the dimensions of a 10.00 SC. Apparently it worked just great. It never went flat, anyway!