I have found a pair of wooden skis that I am wondering would work for my newly minted 90 hp experimental cub. These skis measure 5 feet long and are 10.5 inches wide. They are an inch or more thick and coated with what looks like fiberglass resin. They have a tubular cage attached to the top that the tire apparently drops into. A steel strap goes over the tire to clamp them. I did not see any data plate. Perhaps they are home made. Anyone heard of skis similar to these? Will they work for my cub and what are they worth? I know very little about skis, but snow is coming quick and I would like to keep flying!! My gross weight is 1430 lbs.
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Wood Skis
- Thread starter sburg58
- Start date
mvivion
FOUNDER
Bozeman,MT
There have been several sets of skis which match the description you gave. They are easy to install, but I have no idea about performance.
The main thing I'd be concerned with is weight. I'd bet those babies weigh a LOT, and with this style ski, you don't remove the weight of the wheels/brakes/tires, as with "normal" straight skis, so it's all additive.
MTV
The main thing I'd be concerned with is weight. I'd bet those babies weigh a LOT, and with this style ski, you don't remove the weight of the wheels/brakes/tires, as with "normal" straight skis, so it's all additive.
MTV
irishfield
BENEFACTOR
Penetanguishene, Ontario Canada
akavidflyer
FRIEND
Soldotna AK
I would be a little worried about the length and width unless you dont fly off of very deep snow. The skis I have for my Avid are 12" wide and in deep powder I sink WAY in and that is at less than 1000 LBS. I would much rather have too much ski, than not enough.
irishfield
BENEFACTOR
Penetanguishene, Ontario Canada
They should work good. 5 feet long by 10.5 wide is basically the same as a Federal 1800 (if it hasn't been rebottomed wider). The Callair is about 8 " shorter so you'd have better turning ability with less twist on your gear legs. If the fiberglass coating isn't overly smooth.. you could add a layer of 1/8" UHMW to make them slick.
The advantage of the tire still on... you get some extra cushion for those not so perfect landings and if the snow melts a rope tied to the ski and the other end around your leg = one man removal by lifting the wing at the strut to wing connection and yanking your leg back.
Worth.. I can't remember what I sold them all for. One set was mint, second was usable and the third was for the metal parts only. I think they'd be great if you can get them for between $500 and $850.
Wayne
The advantage of the tire still on... you get some extra cushion for those not so perfect landings and if the snow melts a rope tied to the ski and the other end around your leg = one man removal by lifting the wing at the strut to wing connection and yanking your leg back.
Worth.. I can't remember what I sold them all for. One set was mint, second was usable and the third was for the metal parts only. I think they'd be great if you can get them for between $500 and $850.
Wayne
I have about 20 winters using Callair Skies on a 75 hp champ at 5300 ft. They are a good set up, lots of floatation and as Irishfield stated lot less work to put them on and off.
This is from memory, the S-1 models are for the 6:00X6 tires on the Champs, Taylorcrafts, ects and the S-2 are for the 8:00X4 Tires on the Cubs. Made in Afton Wyoming at the same place the Huskys are now made. I buddy came across a set of saddles for them so he just laminated up new wooden bottoms. On he Champs, an eye is located on the lift strut and the front and rear check cables and bungees attach to that all on one Clam style hook. On he Cubs one must have an front and rear cable attachment going to the Gear attach bolts. A side bar, the data plats are nothing more than a piece of aluminum sheet about 3"X3" tacked to the ski with the data engraved into it with an electric pencil.
This is from memory, the S-1 models are for the 6:00X6 tires on the Champs, Taylorcrafts, ects and the S-2 are for the 8:00X4 Tires on the Cubs. Made in Afton Wyoming at the same place the Huskys are now made. I buddy came across a set of saddles for them so he just laminated up new wooden bottoms. On he Champs, an eye is located on the lift strut and the front and rear check cables and bungees attach to that all on one Clam style hook. On he Cubs one must have an front and rear cable attachment going to the Gear attach bolts. A side bar, the data plats are nothing more than a piece of aluminum sheet about 3"X3" tacked to the ski with the data engraved into it with an electric pencil.
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
I used to own one of those with a set of those skis. That is a straight winged Stinson Reliant. Models starting with SR through SR-(-7 I think it was). The skis were made by Wein. Very heavy. That is a hydraulic shock strut. The bottoms are covered with a thin gauge steel tacked on.
Hardtailjohn
Registered User
Marion, MT
SR-6 was the last of the straight wing Stinsons. I "owned" 3 SR-5's for almost a day...then the guy that sold them to me informed me that just after I had closed the deal, someone else came by with more money and he just let him have them. :evil:. Gotta love some people.... (or so they tell me!)
John
King Brown
Registered User
Nova Scotia
I can't remember if he said straight- or gull-winged but a legendary Canadian bush pilot, Henry Gates, told me that of the dozens of bush planes his favourite was the Stinson Reliant.
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
I really liked mine. It was on EDO 4000 floats. Very roomy and comfortable. I called it my poor mans Beaver. Flew it empty out of a 900 foot long pond.
lburnham
I have three pairs of those skis, by Callair, two sets of metal, and one set of wooden. We used to hunt coyotes with a supercub on the metal ones, we tried with the wooden ones which were very old originals, on one landing/taxi we skied over a frozen cow pie under the snow, the right ski broke and went vertial in front of the basket, sudden stop! I would recommend replacing the wood, with a new laminate, or find a pair of metal ones. They were real handy when snow became scarce we would land on a snow drift, remove the skis, strap them on the lift struts, and "wheel out" on the bare grass ridge.
I have three pairs of those skis, by Callair, two sets of metal, and one set of wooden. We used to hunt coyotes with a supercub on the metal ones, we tried with the wooden ones which were very old originals, on one landing/taxi we skied over a frozen cow pie under the snow, the right ski broke and went vertial in front of the basket, sudden stop! I would recommend replacing the wood, with a new laminate, or find a pair of metal ones. They were real handy when snow became scarce we would land on a snow drift, remove the skis, strap them on the lift struts, and "wheel out" on the bare grass ridge.
Penguin
Registered User
KNFL
I have had these hanging on my wall next to the fireplace for a few years now. 9.5" wide, 4' long. Wood. Axle holes taper 1.5" to 1.25". No identifying markings. I always thought they might be Callair, but can't find a pair that matches. Would anyone have an idea of make or year mfgr?
Attachments
cubdriver2
FRIEND
upstate NY
Tcart has tapered axles?
Glenn
Glenn
high time cub
Registered User
NY
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Hardtailjohn
Registered User
Marion, MT
high time cub
Registered User
NY
These are from my collection of old ski photos. A friend sent them to me years ago - not sure of their origin.
Attachments
high time cub
Registered User
NY
The two castings making up a single pedestal were used for both the left and right skis - clever design. By adding bushings to the 1.5 inch bore, the skis could be used on a variety of airplanes with either straight or tapered axles. The Aeronca KC was another plane from that era that had tapered axles and used Shinn wheels.
Regards,
HT & MM
