Wheel Brake Behavior

[Habu_69]

I have Crosswind pedals with toe brakes. The toe brakes behave normally during calibration and when used with other DCS aircraft, like the Mustang. I decided to venture into the Thunderbolt. Assigned P-47D wheel brake right and left axes to toe brakes, tuned axes to slider and invert, but behavior seems wierd. When I tap a toe brake it appears to remain engaged after releasing the brake pedal, so that the airplane continues to turn/spin until I engage the opposite brake to return to straight line taxiing. Is this normal? If not, how do I achieve normal braking behavior?

Edited April 24, 2023 by Habu_69

[Minhal]

The tailwheel on the P-47D does not self center. So when unlocked for taxi, it will maintain the left or right position and you'll keep turning. Check in F2 view when you use differential braking and you'll notice. Got to apply opposite brake to end the turn and align the tailwheel straight again. For takeoff, align the tailwheel straight down the runway. Then use the tailwheel lock lever on the lower right of you seat to lock the tailwheel in position.

Once you are aware and did a bit of taxi, it becomes second nature quickly.

[Habu_69]

OK, Tx. Beginning to get the hang of it. One wonders why the engineers designed it like this.

[Art-J]

The groundlooping tendency applies to all taildragger airplanes ever - they're inherently directionally unstable because of main landing gear location in front of CG. Pilots just had to learn to deal with it (they still do). Tailwheel locks just started becoming a thing in late '30s/early '40s with ever increasing power of aero engines, while tailwheel STEERING was a brand spankin' new luxury invention designed into a handful of types - Mustang was one of them. An unnecessary complication and gimmick for some pilots, a blessing for others. I sure like to have it in DCS!

Be happy that you've got a tailwheel lock at all. If you ever try DCS Spit or Mossie, you'll quickly discover they don't have any .

Edited April 25, 2023 by Art-J

[Slippa]

And oh what fun it is taking off when you forget the lock.

[SharpeXB]

On 4/24/2023 at 7:24 AM, Habu_69 said:

When I tap a toe brake it appears to remain engaged after releasing the brake pedal, so that the airplane continues to turn/spin until I engage the opposite brake to return to straight line taxiing. Is this normal?

Yes. You’ll still have the momentum of the turn to contend with. Some good WWII training film advice said “as soon as you start turning, start stopping it” ie use your opposite brake to stop the turn.