Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

[Forrest Barber]

This will start the long over due thread about the famous Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts. the first one to achieve real fame was the one flown by Duane Cole for many years. N 21292. his ship was built for him & used in many airshows she is now at the EAA Museum. She started out as an 85HP Continental and ended up with a 160HP Lycoming. So anybody that has a clip or thinking of building one jump into this thread. The ship we have back here around Alliance is the Leisa-Marie " The Super-T" built up by Bill Crone from Beach City Ohio in 1988. I flew her in many Air shows & IAC competition then and into the early 90's. She was a Swick-T ( many thanks to Mike Swick). She was a Standard Category with 9 STC's applied to her for the inclusion of a 180HP Lyc., metal spars, stick control, 9 gal smoke tank, glider-banner tow hitch, hydralic HEEL brakes, assist servos on ailerons & elevator, 5 point aerobatic harness, recovered by Taylorcraft in Lock Haven in 1992, sold to a fellow in Ky. then brought back here after seven years and now owned by Mark & Judy Ohlinger based at Akron Fulton ( AKR). I will be flying her this year at several events. So lets here about your ships, thoughts, projects, etc. I have pictures of Leisa on my photo gallery. We have a new guy that prompted this. come on Greg MacKay...
Eric Minnis what do you have to say...

[Robert Lees]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Also the Howard T-Minus (2 or maybe 3 built by Cliff Howard of NW USA in the 1960's). One now resides in the UK...photos at www.taylorcraft.org.uk/BRXS.htm

I have flown it, it goes like the clappers, but not officially approved for aeros here in the UK (yet).

Rob

[Acroeric]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Don't forget Margaret Ritchies clip wing that she won many titles in- this was another famous one. I had the pleasure of eating lunch with Duane Cole several years ago. . . Also, Randy Henderson is doing a great show in his.

There have been MANY different conversions, the most popular by far is the Swick. I have owned and flown acro in the Cole and Swick and have my opinions on the perfect clip wing set up.

[gmackay]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Thanks guys. I'm new to the clipwing Tcraft, but hoping to learn more about it.
I'm hoping for a 2-place, mild aerobatic, light x-country aircraft. Does the Swick fit that bill?

I have a Pitts S1C but now need two seats, and still want to get upside down evey now and then, nothing serious. The wife likes the low and slow, high wing aircraft and wants to learn to fly. So we just spent the weekend retrieving our first TCraft. It's a standard long-wing , but thought it would be a good place to start and introduce the wife to flying. It needs a lot of TLC, but should be fun. So during my 'long-wing' days, I hope to learn more about the Swick. I know there are many options , ie Cont vs Lyc, metal vs wood spar, etc. Has anyone tried a C-85 with the O-200 crank in a Swick?

Greg MacKay
N44390

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

I believe Eric was building one with the 0-200 crank in an 85 . This would be THE set up in a good light one in my opinion. !! Jim

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Robert you have my interest all fired up about the Howard Minus T picture you posted. This looks like the ideal Clip of a t craft with what looks like stock ailerons with wing length taken out of the root. Any one have any mor info on this (these..... I understand 3 planes he did or sold plans for?) It looks like a neat clip job . How much is whacked off? Etc ?? Jim

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

The first clip Cub & Taylorcraft ships merely took out the first bay or 31 in on each side. About 5 ft off bringing them down to 31 ft wings. Then some builders took off the ends to balance things out a bit. Some put "splates" on the tips. I too like the stock aileron ships with a spade assist. Many ways are possible.

[WLT]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Deleted 6/18/05

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Forrest, with this configuration that we both agree we like ,do you really have to have the spades added to to the stock ailerons? How does it handle without them? I realize that the stock ailerons are going to end up longer than the Swick which I thought I have heard Eric Minnis state the servo tabs are not really needed on. Also did they add ribs on the pre wars clips? I bet they did go to at least 15 on the shorter wing with the increased loading. Also do you have any other ideas as to what they modified in (again the early pre wars) Did they go to the heavier strut fittings used on later models?)etc. Just tryin to dance around in your gray matter a wee bit as these early clip jobs have me keenly interested . One thinks they could be light as angels too!

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Wayne I realize you asked Forrest this but I am unaware of any metal spars stc (d) for the BC12D. The spruce spars have proved fine over 60 years and while Aircraft spruce aint exactly cheap the spars are not that unreasonable either when one remembers that wood has no memory as does metal. Many more acro types love the wood for just this reason.

[gmackay]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

I'd like to know the differences also between the Swick, Cole and Howard's clip wings if anyone has that info. And what conversion did Margaret Ritchie use?

[Acroeric]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Go with wood for the acro- it has no memory like metal plus the mods to use the ribs on a metal spar are a real pain. My Swick had metal spars (it is in the Swick STC) and they did fine but I do preffer wood. If metal spars were better for acro then Pitts, Skybolts, Lasers, Staudachers etc would have them. If you want the ultimate in strength and light weight build up some wood ribs and use a wood leading edge. My wing panels were real light, 6 pounds less than stock per side and a ton stronger.

When I order spars I get them from Wicks. Actually AC Spruce buys their wood from a company owned by Wicks. Wicks delivery is usually very quick while AC Spruce takes 6-8 weeks.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

" build up some wood ribs and use a wood leading edge. My wing panels were real light, 6 pounds less than stock per side and a ton stronger. "

Not sure if I agree with Eric on the weight of wood ribs vs PREWAR built up ribs. I bet they (his wood ribs and D section )are indeed stronger though. He and I may have an opportunity to do a weight comparison so I guess we will see . My guess is the weights on the PREWAR aluminum will be slightly less but not enough to matter. WEEEL SEE !!!!

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

"When I order spars I get them from Wicks. Actually AC Spruce buys their wood from a company owned by Wicks. Wicks delivery is usually very quick while AC Spruce takes 6-8 weeks.[/QUOTE]"

Agreed. But I'll add that my experience with Aircraft Spruce is that I did not wait 6-8 weeks. It was more like three months and STILL no evidence they were ready to fill my order. On the other hand Wicks service is simply the best in my experience.

[Don Eide]

Re: Clip-Wing Taylorcrafts B models

Here we go again. Ford or Chevy. Aircraft Spruce or Wicks. It will NEVER end.
Give me Aircraft Spruce any time, any day, every day. Yes, I've done business with both and I prefer Aircraft Spruce. I have ordered parts the same day from both and they arrive on the same UPS truck. I have ordered spars from Aircraft Spruce and got them in a very short time. Very very satisfied with Aircraft Spruce, and more offen than not, at a better price.
Just the opinion of one cheap old guy.

Don