tail wheel lock

[rollbear]

Perhaps a stupid question, but are there any visual cues in the cockpits that tells whether the tail wheel is locked or not. I've looked around but not seen any.

[KpaxBos]

Perhaps a stupid question, but are there any visual cues in the cockpits that tells whether the tail wheel is locked or not. I've looked around but not seen any.

Hello,

 

Yes in bf109 on the left there is a moving lever activated with tail wheel lock. See cockpit description to locate it.

 

Have fun

[[Wolf]ArcaneRebel]

Perhaps a stupid question, but are there any visual cues in the cockpits that tells whether the tail wheel is locked or not. I've looked around but not seen any.

If you look to your left just below the side window there is the mechanism for the tail wheel lock. This is for the 109. Not sure about the LaGG.

[ParaB]

In the 109 check the left side of the cockpit, right under the window.

[=38=Tatarenko]

(forward = locked)

[rollbear]

Got it. Thanks

[Uriah]

see

http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/2518-labeled-bf-109-f-4-cockpit/

[BigMotor]

(forward = locked)

Heh, all this time I've been moving it back to lock it. Can't wait to try it the right way.

[LukeFF]

Heh, all this time I've been moving it back to lock it. Can't wait to try it the right way.

 

The way it's done right now in the 109 is the right way.

[Rjel]

The way it's done right now in the 109 is the right way.

I think he meant he was unlocking it unknowingly. BTW, it stays in the locked position from mission to mission unless you unlock it.

[VR-DriftaholiC]

pretty sure there is no working tail wheel lock on the LAGG. I don't know if it's supposed to have one but it seems holding the stick back helps similar to a P-51

[LukeFF]

I think he meant he was unlocking it unknowingly. BTW, it stays in the locked position from mission to mission unless you unlock it.

 

You're right. I reacted the wrong way to him. 

[BigMotor]

No problem Luke. I just tried a takeoff with the TW locked and it did seem more enjoyable.

[II./JG27_Rich]

The only way I can keep the 109 from going crazy once on the ground is to be a tap dancer on the rudder pedals.

[W1ndy]

I read somewhere it's better to have it unlocked for landing. Is that right ?

[rollbear]

I read somewhere it's better to have it unlocked for landing. Is that right ?

Why would it be? Try it (it's not better.) You can quite easily ground loop when your speed comes down a bit and rudder authority becomes low. The lock helps a lot. I'm venturing a guess that perhaps the lock adds too much to the stability, but I've never flown a 109, so let it stay with the observation that with tail wheel lock on it's way more directionally stable than any of the admittedly few tail draggers I've landed.