Rather less exotic, but the Tiger Moth tailskid while perfect on grass gives neither braking nor steering on tarmac. With a tailwind the old girl would take off across the apron like a stately galleon, its captain having to switch off, jump out and grab the tail. This is why many TMs have since been fitted with brakes and tailwheels a la Stampe.
Many years ago the local quarry kindly welded a tungsten drill tip along an old skid, after which the TM handled almost as well as it did on grass. Unfortunately it cut a groove along the tarmac, not appreciated by the airport management even when I pointed out that I was merely improving the expensive runway anti-skid grooving they had paid for the previous year. It was made clear that while I would be given a Wheeled Welcome in future, my Tungsten-Toed Tiger would not.
Last edited by Geriaviator; 23rd Jan 2018 at 11:36.