Airframes: Clip Wing Taylorcrafts

[Forrest Barber]

WE have had many requests to start up a thread on the Clip-Wing Taylorcraft; Duane Cole version; Mike Swick version & the few original ones out there.
So here we go with the "B" or side by side ones and then maybe add the "D" models too. lets hear from any one who owns one or wants to own one.
I will very soon put up a description and information of the Standard Category one "Leisa Marie" the Super T ( 180 HP) that I flew for a few years and now owned by Mark Ohlinger, Akron, Oh.

[Acroeric]

OK- glad we got one going that I can really get excited about! I need someone to weigh a completed BC12-D UNCOVERED WING AND AILERON. I would really like to compare the weight of my all wood clipped wings to a stock wing. Any help on this one is greatly appreciated. Norm- don't go removing the covering from your wings to help me ;-)

I went to see the progress on my fuselage today and it looked great! Everything is done except changing the angle of the strut attach fittings!

[Jim Herpst]

Ok gang I am in. Now does anyone have a set of BC12D wings in good shape (bad spars ok) I need them for a clip wing that I am about to start. Thanks. For what its worth I am using a good BL 40 airframe. Don't worry it will be a low (100hp job)

[Acroeric]

Nothing wrong at all with the '40 airframe. My 160 HP clipwing was a '39 and Duane Cole's plane was a '38. You really can not hurt them in the air- it is the ground that messes them up!

I am thinking of putting an IO- 540 in mine! (kidding)

[stormman]

wind weight

2054 hrs and i have my ass outside in the cold holding a flashlight under my chin balancing a bare wing and aileron on a set of bathroom scales with a dog humping my leg.
80 pounds Eric

[Dick Smith]

Did you subtract the weight of the dog and the flashlight? Dick

[Tcraft Classics]

Let's get this ball rollin'! I have 8 or so wings - at least a 1 pair should be clipped! Yeah...... an Over-Powered, Clipped-Wing with room for my 105# dog in the back. And Big tires. Yeah..... And electric start.

[Acroeric]

Norm- Are you serious? Did you do that for me? Did you let the dog finish?

Here is what I got. . .
My all wood clipped wing, aileron included 68 pounds. I do still have to add the weight of the cable but that can not be more than a few pounds. I guess I can call it an even 70 pounds.

[stormman]

Wing weight

Eric me boy
Yes im serious

Yes i did that for you using a bathroom scale that could be a # or 2 off and that includes the cables

No the dog did not get to finish as he's a she and not too sure of her sexually. If she was an insect she would be a
LES BEE

Yes Dick i subtracted the dog and the maglite

Anyone else out there to confirm on the wing weight?

[Acroeric]

If anyone wants to see the progress of my project I just updated my webpage. You can access it at http://home.mebtel.net/~acroeric/

Select the tab 12-20-03 update. If you do not have high speed internet it will take a while to load.

[paulnuss]

Eric, thanks for your wonderful web-site, and all the info on the Clip-wings. I have often wondered about the different versions, and your descriptions of the Swick/0-200 vs. the Cole/0-320 are interesting. I have been a Taylorcraft enthusiast for most of my life; I own and am rebuilding a 1974 Pitts S2A right now, and fly a '46 BC12D-1, and have a '41 project airframe stashed away for some future time. I have wondered if a Taylorcraft Clip-wing would satisfy my aerobatic needs. I fly mostly for fun, but I also like IAC competition and used to compete through Intermediate. The Pitts flies so well, but the passenger accomodations are lousy, and the lack of heat precludes much cold (or even chilly) weather flying. The Pitts' range isn't much for cross-country, not only not much gas, but an hour and a half in the seat, and I just have to get on the ground and try to walk again!

Knowing you work for the FAA, are you able to build your project as an approved aircraft, or is it Experimental Exhibition, with the accompanying restrictions of use? I wondered about homebuilding from scratch a Taylorcraft "clone", and then maybe I could add a couple inches of extra room, height, length, width, in the cockpit for my 6'4" frame and passenger comfort. The possible engineering complications can probably make one's head spin! Your thoughts would be much appreciated. Anyway, thanks for the information and photos!

[crispy critter]

Wing Wieght

Eric,
I will get my dad to help me this weekend and wieght one for you.I have a full length BC12D wing hanging from the wall with cables installed and all hardware.I will wieght the aileron seperatly.
Kevin Mays

[Acroeric]

Paul- While the Tcraft is no Pitts it does make about the nicest flying honest acro mount anyone could ask for. A 100 HP clipwing will beat a Super Decathalon any day given the pilot skill is identical. In addition I am building mine to qualify for the new sport pilot rule. I do have a bit of Pitts time and they are fun but not a good everyday go somewhere and acro along the way type of plane. The clipwing is so versitile- it does so many things well. As for experimental- yes, I am going experimental amateur built. I hav ebuilt so much of the plane and re-designed so much it will easily qualify under the 51% rule. Experimental exhibition is not a desirable AW Certificate to have. . . too many operating and area limitations.

Kevin- Thanks for the additional data point. My wing was put on a more accurate scale today and it came in a little lighter. It is 67 pounds ready to bolt on minus the cables. I plan to get the hole saw and have at it this weekend. Anything not structural is coming off! I am shooting for 750 pounds empty. Anything more than that and I am removing parts.

[Acroeric]

If anyone wants to check the status of my project I just updated the page again. Still on schedule!

http://home.mebtel.net/~acroeric/

Just click on the UPDATE 12-28 tab. There are many photos so it may take a minute to load. I finished my observer doors today and am very happy with the way they came out. I used stock BC12-D doors and can pass along some photos if anyone wants to do the same. I am going to start stripping and priming parts as soon as the temps get in to the 60's. Today would have been a great day for it but I was busy doing other stuff.

[crispy critter]

Wing Wieght for Eric

Eric,
I got that wing wieght you wanted today.A stock 1946 BC12D(not clipped)wing with SS cables,aileron,6 gallon fuel tank,18 feet of electrical wire for the nav light,completely assembled,ready to bolt on and fly(minus fabric)everything rebuilt with all new hardware wieghts 78lbs 4oz(left),the right one came in at 78lbs 7oz.I was surprised to see them wieght in that close to each other.Hope this helps you Eric.
I will try to post some pictures in a couple of days.

Kevin Mays