Thanks for all the information. I got the price of $2060USD including the extention for the M350 and another $223.16USD for shipping to germany plus tax. Most probably this will be the deal. Lead time around 6 weeks.
In germany „Aircraft-parts.eu“ offers the same sidewinder for the Malibu for 2909€ plus shipping.
I ordered mine directly from them in the USA. They shipped it with the batteries.
Tigerflyer wrote:
did you get your Sidewinder and how satisfied are you with the device?
Although the question was towards TB, I can give a perspective as well:
I really like the Sidewinder! As far as I can see it is the only device that is capable of moving around my Malibu and can be carried in the plane without significant hassle.
Yes, it looks and feels a bit like “home improvement style” but it does its job.
Got mine via Aircraft Spruce Europe but that is some time ago…
“did you get your Sidewinder and how satisfied are you with the device?”
Are the antiterrorist services monitoring this thread? Bolkow Juniors were modified to carry Matra 6-rocket pods under each wing in the Biafra war, but GA with Sidewinders should attract attention.:-)
I have one of these devices, I think it is excellent, I use it all the time. Furthermore it folds up and you can take it with you on trips. If the nosewheel gets wet it may be inclined to slip, but run it slowly and assist by pulling or pushing on the drill part to deter slipping. More importantly make sure your nosewheel is pumped up to the correct pressure, slipping is much more likely if the pressure is down at all.
As for the batteries, I had no problem sourcing spare batteries in the UK.
@TB_flyer
did you get your Sidewinder and how satisfied are you with the device?
Glad to hear you got it sorted out.
Connor’s dad was the guy behind Redline bicycles (and racing motorcycle frames), started in the early days of motocross and BMX, and you can see the commonality in construction. A few years ago when they first came up with the design they were quite active trying all kinds of planes. Like all machines, I’m sure it has its benefits and limitations.
Hi,
I will order a Sidewinder at short notice. Are there other interested parties? Maybe we can negotiate a discount with the manufacturer.
Take care.
@Maoraigh you are certainly right about this to move large caravans and IMO they are much better than the product discussed here. You can buy them direct from many places which sell caravans or trailers.
However for a twin I found it much better to have a similar thing but with a lazy Susan on the front.
With the brakes off on the aircraft you push the tug under the nose wheel, having first lowered plate at the front of the tug. It rolls under easily with no force. Now you pull a lever on the tug which secures the nosewheel/aircraft onto tje lazy Susan. You now have full control of the aircraft without any force on the nose wheel.
It means you can manoeuvre the aircraft in a crowded hangar with much greater ease.
There’s at least one phone-controlled battery-powered device which fits onto a caravan wheel and moves/steers it. I’ve watched a guy manoeuvre a large caravan uphill into a site position.
