Tailwheel tire and tube

[Steve Seal]

I have a seven year old tailwheel tire and tube.   The tire was produced in eastern Europe and procured from someone in the Ohio-Indiana area.   Any leads on how I’d get a new tire and tube?   I’ve heard some go to the solid tire situation, not sure I know the pluss or minus on doing that- probably need a new wheel for that?  After 1000 landings and almost 400 hours, I think I am due to buy a replacement.

[admin]

Steve,

That was Darren Crouser in Indiana (L-5C owner) who had imported some Stomil “Wersja” metric tailwheel tires and tubes from Poland back in 2013. Very high quality and identical to the Goodyear 8.00 SC tires from the 1940’s-50’s except for the name on them. Same casting marks too like they had purchased the Goodyear molds. Anyway, those sold out immediately and Darren never got more of them. They were available for quite a while from Wings and Wheels but they no longer seem to keep that size in stock (205 mm x 80 mm) but you might inquire if they can still get them. They used to be commonly used on PZL Wilga, Yak 50 and some Sukhoi aerobatic airplanes but those birds all seem to have gone to the 255 x 110 mm (10″) size because the smaller size is so hard to obtain.

I can’t recommend a solid tire. First, you cannot get them in the correct size, and second, I recently did a pre-buy inspection on the one L-5 that had a solid tire custom molded to the rim (technically not a legal tire) and it now goes thumpa, thumpa, thumpa while taxiing since it has been worn out of round in the time since it was made.

So where does that leave you? Unless you can track down a Stomil the only alternative is the overpriced 8.00 SC Aero Classic sold by Desser tire. Perhaps they have a new source but the last one I bought was made in Indonesia and was of very poor quality. The tubes I bought did not fit the tailwheel hub properly either. One failed while taxiing and the other did not last 25 landings. Desser refunded my money and I ended up using tubes purchased from a farm implement company that worked much better. Perhaps the Desser tubes had sat on a shelf too long (one failed at the valve) because they don’t sell many of them.

I recommend sticking with what you have as long as you can, treating it as gently as possible. Buy a Desser for a backup if you need to but the tire and tube will set you back about $330.00 plus shipping.

[Bill Gorin]

I just put this tire on my L-5 a couple of weeks ago.  It’s probably the same tire you are taking off.  The inner diameter is touch small, but a sanding drum on a drill took care of that.  Desser does make the correct size tire for quite a bit more.

https://wingsandwheels.com/stomil-200×80-wersja-1-tire.html 

Bill

[admin]

Glad you got one that was the correct size Bill. After I had recommended Wings & Wheels as a source a few weeks ago I checked and they had none in stock so I guess they can still get them. Yes, the inner diameter is a bit tight, but it’s a sturdy tire and less expensive. I assume that you also had to grind off the anti-slip nubs on the bead so it would fit flush to the rim.

JG

[admin]

This is not new. We have been in a “crappy place” with our L-5’s regarding tailwheel tires for most of the last 25 years. You’re lucky to have had a Stomil on your plane since you’ve owned it. Less than a dozen L-5 owners do. So, call Wings & Wheels and see what they can do for you, or talk to Desser. If you don’t like what they send you, simply return it.

The alternative is to spend $1400 on a Scott tailwheel assembly and then have Sam Taber do the required modification, which is not minor. Of all the Scott conversions (for which there is no STC), Sam’s conversion with engineering by Paul Draper (of Rousch Racing) to get the geometry correct is the best out there.

[Author]

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