Greekdude – as you posted about the DC-8 its the same situation withg the HS748 and SD360, its just a pole on a hook hat hangs about a foot off the ground and provides a visual aid, as does the nosewheel oleo – i think on these models that is all they are designed for, not to support the a/c if it goes nose up, as i’ve seen a pic of a 748 that has done!

The wheel on the likes of the B763 and other long aircraft is to prevent tailscapes on t/o nothing to do with loading