Small Scale Military Headquarters

I just received my 2nd 190 today, Black 1. When i got her out of the box i emediately noticed that the tail wheel was floppy. With the waight of the plane on it it wont stay in the down position. Also the step is broken off and is no where to be found in the box. Aside from shiping the plane back any idea on how to fix the tailwheel? think if i write 21st i can obtain a replacement step?
Thanks in advance

~Jay

Did you get it from a small retailer? If so, and if they are a reputable retailer, you may be able to return the plane and have them send out a new one. You can always try writing to 21c to see if they can get a replacement step, but I can't garuantee any results. You could also check local Wal Marts, see if they have the plane, get it, switch the fuselage pieces and return the plane citing that its damaged. Wal Mart will probably take it.

Now ready for the funny part? To correctly answer your tailwheel question, I went and had a look at my S2 "Black Cheveron" FW-190. Turns out that in they year or so that I've had the plane, I had never known that the tail wheel could extend downward It did.

The plane had always looked fine sitting with the wheel retracted up, so if your gear is loose, you could use super or model glue to permanently attach it in the retracted position.

Hope this helps!

Now this is funny, because I never thought that the wheel retracted!! A long time ago, this was discussed as inaccurate. Can somebody confirm that the wheel retracts and maybe snaps into place like the P-47 and Corsair??

-Ski

Teamski wrote:Now this is funny, because I never thought that the wheel retracted!! A long time ago, this was discussed as inaccurate. Can somebody confirm that the wheel retracts and maybe snaps into place like the P-47 and Corsair??

-Ski

The tailwheel extends, but I have never been able to snap it in..

Yes the tail wheel does come down. 2 of my 5 will snap firmly into position and carry the weight of the tail the other 3 come down but the weight of the tail section sinks down the tail wheel. This is common with all the 190's.

Hello Jay:

Both of my 190s have the same tail wheel characteristic as yours, so obviously it's a design thing.

As for 21C helping you with the step part, I must say that they were very helpful and prompt when helping me raplace the canopy on my F4U Corsair. They even called me personally to verify the exact part I was ordering.

I'd also like to share something with you all, which you may find helpful. I discovered a while back that the glue used for PCV piping (sold at Home Depot in the plumbing/sprinklers area) works absolutely perfect with the type of plastic used in our models. It's a little messy so you must be very careful. Use a small modelers paint brush instead of the cotton ball that comes with it.

Good luck! Ed

Thanks for the info guys.
Since its a common problem im not gonna worry bout returning it or anything. And since it retracting is inacurate ill just hit it with a dab of CA. altho since i hung it from the ceilin its in the down possition at the moment
Ill shoot 21st an email bout the step... worst come to worst I'll fabricate one.

~Jay

SuRrEaLNJ wrote:Thanks for the info guys.
Since its a common problem im not gonna worry bout returning it or anything. And since it retracting is inacurate ill just hit it with a dab of CA. altho since i hung it from the ceilin its in the down possition at the moment
Ill shoot 21st an email bout the step... worst come to worst I'll fabricate one.

~Jay

Jay,
The retracting tailwheel is NOT innaccurate.. So if you are in the flying mode, leave it retracted..
The only innacurrate thing about the tailwheel is that it won't stay down when sitting..

man, and i thought i was gonna get off that easy...

~Jay

SuRrEaLNJ wrote:man, and i thought i was gonna get off that easy...

~Jay

You are, now you don't have to do anything to the plane.. Just leave it alone.. Nuthin' easier than that..

in flying mode the step is retracted too...

on the 1:1 the step retracts? i never knew that

SuRrEaLNJ wrote:on the 1:1 the step retracts? i never knew that

Afergs right.. If yours is broken off, then you're in even better shape