RV3 tailwheel fork
"Any advice welcome". Ok, here's a contrary opinion for your consideration:
A friend of mine with an -8 had his full-swivel tailwheel unlock on rollout. If he'd had a x-wind, it would have been a ground-loop. Had maybe 250 landings on it, brand new. A number of others have reported the same thing - search VAF.
No comment on the products mentioned in this thread, I'm sure they are fine. It's just that the -3 doesn't need that additional complexity. Change ANYTHING with the tailwheel springs, and it might feel and/or behave radically different.
Checkout the attached pics of my setup: that's a h/w store spring, double chains and double clips on each end, with a little bit of slack when weight is on. It's the finest tailwheel arrangement I've ever flown, perfect positive control at all speed ranges, 2000+ landings, never even close to a ground loop (knock on wood!). If I ever do one, it will be my fault, not this tailwheel fork + springs arrangement. Note the extended axel bolt. This is for the tow-back bar, bought at Spruce. Most of the time, I'm pulling back into the hanger with the tow-bar; anywhere else, just pick it up by the gear leg and pull, the RV3 tail is plenty lightweight enough.
Good luck!
- Steven
700+ RV3 hours
two more last Sunday!