This is a good discussion. I, too, am sold on tailwheel airplanes. Always have been. Primarily because of all those cool WWII fighters I grew up fantasizing about flying. I'm in the market for a C152 Texas taildragger, preferrably with a bigger engine (150 or 180 hp).

My tailwheel instructor (who has made quite a name for himself out in the Northeast) was of the opinion that a tailwheel airplane is designed with rudder authority that is unmatched by a converted tailwheel airplane (such as a C152 Texas taildragger). He believed that a C150 or 152 does not have enough rudder for tailwheel operations, e.g., not very good in strong crosswinds, not enough rudder to adequately prevent ground loops, etc.

Being the highly-experienced instructor that I am, I've always been skeptical of his biases.

What do you guys with extensive first-hand experience in Texas taildragger C150/152s think about this? Is he somewhat correct, or is he kinda full 'o crap?

I have been flying a 172GTD (Bolen Conversion) for 5 years now and have done three airframe modification one about every 18 months.Each mod did improve performance, first wing tips then engine and last VGs witch made a big difference in the tail performance.Slight but noticeable Rudder authority during fast taxing,and a big difference on takeoff.Before the VGs during Wheel landings the tail wanted to hang even with full flap and carrying extra air speed.It still has this tendencies but at a considerably slower approach with 1/2 flaps.This aircraft loves 3 point landings even in a brisk crosswind.Also Before the VGs during take off the tail would slowly raise up just before the mains brake the ground, in other words "flying its self off". Now the tail pop's up! and the plane has to be held down to gain vx speed were it demands to fly! Omni-Vision and  sweptback tail  172's were not designed to be tail draggers but can be converted to tail wheel airframes, they have the own unique ground, takeoff and landing characteristics.The Bolen Conversion is very forgiving

Try Harry Dellicker at Del Air in Porterville, CA. He may know what to tell you about the Texas Taildragger conversion.

I am about 45% done installing my Bolen/Bush/Avcon Tailwheel conversion on my 59' C175XP. It is alot of tedious work but not hard if you have any aptitude.

Can anyone tell me what actual tailwheel is fitted to the C152 t/w conversion, I have a low time aerobat with Aircraft Conversion Tech gear but no identification on tailwheel, I can see it's a 6" solid and looks like a Scott but it's not, has letters B&K stamped on the hub. It's a very nice set up and smooth with no shimmy, I need to purchase some spare steering springs and need to know what it actually is (it not a Maule t/w either)

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A TEXAS TAIL DRAGGER   150 HP 1980 152,
WITH TWO MINOR DAMAGE INCIDENTS, ONE MAY BE COMING IN TRADE,
AND WE DO N O T TRADE REGULARLY IN VERY SMALL AIRPLANES.  WE
ARE LOOKING FOR A DEALER, OR STRONG CASH BUYER WHO CAN TAKE
THIS PLANE AT A FAVOURABLE PRICE.  OUR TRADING OFFICE IS IN
WINNIPEG,CAN.   THIS AIRPLANE IS IN SASKATCHEWAN, AND WAS
DEREGISTERED FROM THE U-S ROLES, BROUGHT UP HERE AND REPAIRED.
NEW RIGHT LANDING GEAR, RIGHT WING TIP, ENGINE DISASSEMBLED
AND NEW BOTTOM END, NEW PROP, IFR PACKAGE, GOOD LOOKER,
IN FLY AWAY CONDITION.  READY FOR CANADIAN OPS, OR WOULD HAVE TO
BE REINSPECTED IN THE STATES AND A NEW AIRWORTHINESS CERT ISSUED.
PIX AND SPECS AVAILABLE.  SEE E/M ADDRESS ABOVE, OR CALL
204 832 5686. FOR THE CAPT.  20JUN08 3:30PM

I am also looking for a kit to convert my 150/150 to a taildragger

any ideas thanks Jeff
707 486 2914

Can any one tell me the contact numbers or e-mail address of any one doing a Cessna 172 or 175 tail dragger conversion kit
Like Ron Fravel ?
Like Bob/Robert Williams
Thanks to any one who can help me !
Ted Slessor 705-398-8243 / cell 705-498-2790
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Hi, my name is james powell and I am trying to do a tial conversion to my 1963 C-150 fastback. I have had no luck so far contacting aircraft conversion technologies or a pile of other places. Can some one please e mail me any info with contact information about who has the STC for the conversion or who can sell me a kit with the STC. Thanks very much

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James Powell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A little bit of information that I have found
> concerning engine size upgrades and tail
> conversions.
>
> Bush conversions in Kansas offer tail conversion
> and engine upgrade conversion kits. There number
> is (316) 782-3851. They can be hard to get hold of
> but my AME has done 3 of their engine upgrades and
> thinks well of the company. They say it can take
> 90days to get a tail kit ready for you and
> shipped. I am in Canada so I think that is why it
> might take so long. Kit is around $4,500 US and
> you need to buy the Tail wheel seperate from
> Alaskan bush wheels. Scott 3200 about $1000 US.
> Also if you have a 150 A,B,C,D,E,L,M model you
> need the gear from either a F,G,H,J or K model for
> the STC. 6 hudred tires are also needed. They
> recon on 100hrs to install the kit with the right
> tools from an AME. So by my figures I need to get
> new tires, hubs gear legs as well as tail wheel,
> and tail kit plus instal should run be $12,000 to
> $14,000 canadian dollars. Hope this helps some of
> you. Cheers

On the subject of tail wheel conversions for the Cessna 150: does anyone know what the empty weight is after getting rid of the nose wheel? And more importantly, does this give....larger pilots more payload carrying capability?

I've looked all over and haven't seen this addressed anywhere.

best stcs for cessna 150 to tailwheel!  David Lowe , Sacramento, Ky.  270-736-9051.   His stc  uses 140  parts  which are fairly easy to find.  Also there are new parts from Univair if you dont go used route.

Kristopher Hoopes Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Try Harry Dellicker at Del Air in Porterville, CA.
> He may know what to tell you about the Texas
> Taildragger conversion.
>
> I am about 45% done installing my Bolen/Bush/Avcon
> Tailwheel conversion on my 59' C175XP. It is alot
> of tedious work but not hard if you have any
> aptitude.