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Thread: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

  1. #1
    PNWJARED's Avatar
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    Feb 2013
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    Enumclaw, WA
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    Default Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Hey Guys thought I would attempt posting a few pictures of the conversion.
    I have a KF7 which was a nose wheeled airplane when I bought it which worked out since I myself was not yet a tail wheel pilot. I purchased the plane flew it a season then decided to obtain my tailwheel endorsement then convert the plane. All has gone well so far. I achieved my endorsement through Stick and Rudder. Then converted the plane. Completed my paperwork. Now waiting for some good weather.

    I didn't find to much info on the topic though having the factory weldments makes all the difference.

    I have Grove Gear, I purchased new grove wheels, dual piston brakes, 26" ABW, T3 Tail Wheel and the The Alaska Bush tail wheel 3200.

    You need a few additional parts from Kitfox namely chains, springs, clevis, and assorted bolting hardware, I also purchased the upgraded gear attach brackets my old ones were steel bars with half round delrin or abs plastic or whatever they were made of. I used the newer two piece aluminum mounts from KF.

    I repainted my main gear, mounted the gear (the hardest part of the project is supporting the plane during the conversion or most nerve racking). I built a sturdy brace jacked the plane up and set it down on the brace. My points of contacts for the brace where the main wing attach bolts at the fuselage connection. I left the nose gear and mounted the tail wheel. I removed the nose gear after the main gear was complete. Greased the bearings, mounted the tires, refit the brakes, set the chains with a few extra links, requested an inspection and logbook entry completed a new weight and balance. That is a brief synopsis of the process.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Kitfox 7-Flying
    ABW 26", T3, ABW 3200 Tailwheel
    Rotax 912ULS, Warp Drive Taper

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Oct 2016
    Location
    Western Australian
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    218

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    NOW it looks like a proper aeroplane

    Very nice indeed.

  3. #3
    Senior Member PapuaPilot's Avatar
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    Nov 2013
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    Nampa, Idaho
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Hope you can go have some fun soon.
    Phil Nelson
    A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
    KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
    Flying since 2016

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Jan 2009
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    Merrill, WI
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    3,044

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    What a transformation!

    Looks like a completely different airplane.
    Av8r3400
    Kitfox Model IV
    The Mangy Fox
    912UL 105hp Zipper
    YouTube Videos

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    Chisholm Mn
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    I really like that last picture. She looks like she is really ready to go! JImChuk

  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Modesto CA
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Looks really nice, I think the Kitfox looks better as a taildragger, just my personal opinion.

    What tailwheel did you use?

  7. #7
    Senior Member
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    Aug 2016
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    Melbourne, Australia
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    From delicate concourse aircraft to backcountry boy .... great transformation !. Congratulations on a good looking plane.
    David
    SS7 Builder

  8. #8
    PNWJARED's Avatar
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    Feb 2013
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    Enumclaw, WA
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Thanks guys! I am happy. little less visibly over the nose but a lot more capable.

    Oh! I need to add a thicker seat cushion!!
    Kitfox 7-Flying
    ABW 26", T3, ABW 3200 Tailwheel
    Rotax 912ULS, Warp Drive Taper

  9. #9
    PNWJARED's Avatar
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    Feb 2013
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    Enumclaw, WA
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    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    I used the Alaska Bushwheel 3200. pretty much a scott 3200. The assembly is not the lightest I think a lighter tailwheel may prevail at some point.
    Kitfox 7-Flying
    ABW 26", T3, ABW 3200 Tailwheel
    Rotax 912ULS, Warp Drive Taper

  10. #10
    Senior Member AirFox's Avatar
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    Feb 2012
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    Portland, Or
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    420

    Default Re: Nose Gear to Tail Wheel Conversion... Completed!

    Good choices on the TW spring, Breaks and ABW. Beautiful airplane! I'm sure I'll see you around the NW.

    Scott
    Scott Noble
    Kitfox SS7

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