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  • Clipwing Project For Sale

    EDIT: A more complete write-up is available at this link, complete with photos:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing



    Original Post:
    Upcoming military move has me considering parting with my Clipwing Taylorcraft project to the right person. Located in Elbert, CO (between Denver and Colorado Springs).

    The project began as a ‘46 BC12D. I have been modifying per the Cole and Swick plans. Most of the fuselage, tail surface, and torque tube fabrication/welding has been completed. You will find most of the prep work has been completed before final assembly of components. I don’t think a builder would have any issue complying with the 51% rule.

    I have inspected, acid etched, and alodined all wing ribs. The left wing has been primed green for easy identification. They are in excellent shape. The smaller wingtip ribs still need to be repaired due to some minor corrosion on the trailing edges where moisture likely pooled.

    Brand new stainless steel wing brace wires have been purchased. These were made with rolled, not cut thread. All steel wing parts (compression struts, mounting brackets, etc) have been media cleaned, inspected, and primed. I would suggest purchasing or fabricating pre-war style aileron hinges for aerobatic flight, due to galvanic corrosion commonly found on the cast magnesium ones.

    Included are two brand new sets of custom front/rear spars. These are the laminated variety produced specifically for this project by Steen Aero Lab to the Swick specifications. As you can imagine, these weren’t cheap. Read more about them here: http://www.steenaero.com/products/wi...ated_spars.cfm

    The torque tube has been completed per Swick plans. I had a retired Lockheed machinist produce Pitts-style torque tube bearings which turned out to be a work of art. Zinc fitting, large KP bearing, and machined delrin…the works! Should produce an exceptionally smooth control system with zero slop.

    The tail feathers have had the extra bushings for the additional tail brace wires welded. These have been inspected and primed…good to go.

    Doug Dodge, a well known pilot and fabricator in the aerobatic community, produced a Pitts style fuel tank with a sight gauge and flop tube for inverted flight. He also partially completed an engine mount for a Lycoming O-320. Unfortunately he passed away, however I have the mount/jigs/baseboard for completion by a welder of your choosing.

    Brand new spruce stringer stock and Pitts-style standoffs included as well. No slipping stringers during knife-edge flight.

    A Lycoming O-320 A1A can also be included. It will need an overhaul. I had purchased it to rebuild as an experimental aerobatic engine.
    An Ellison 4-5 throttle body injector can also be included. Prefect for aerobatic flight. Will likely need an overhaul.

    A B&C lightweight starter and overhauled fuel pump is also included.

    This would be a fine project for someone looking to build and fly a clipwing. A complete set of Cole and Swick plans is also included. Other miscellaneous hardware has been cleaned/CAD plated.

    Also included is an original post-war Taylorcraft wheel pant. I purchased this with the intent of using it as a mold to produce carbon fiber wheel pants in the original shape. These are hard to come by.

    All work has been completed under the supervision of an experienced, full-time IA/restorer in his shop. I hate to consider parting with this project as it has been a joy to work on. Open to reasonable offers and I’m happy to answer any questions or provide additional photos. Thanks.
    Last edited by JRSB; 04-01-2022, 11:48.

  • #2
    The forum isn't letting me upload images. Pictures available here:
    https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...3D?usp=sharing

    More available upon request. Feel free to text/call me at 7O8-790-1867. My voicemail is not set up; please text if I don't pick up. Thanks.

    Comment


    • #3
      Not a frequent poster on here but thought I would for this project. Jared's project is first class as is he. He has had the assistance of some very talented builders in getting it to this point. Some of which I have known personally for many years. If you ever wanted a Clipwing done right, this one is a good start.
      Eric Minnis
      Bully Aeroplane Works and Airshows
      www.bullyaero.com
      Clipwing Tcraft x3


      Flying is easy- to go up you pull back, to go down you pull back a little farther.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Acroeric View Post
        Not a frequent poster on here but thought I would for this project. Jared's project is first class as is he. He has had the assistance of some very talented builders in getting it to this point. Some of which I have known personally for many years. If you ever wanted a Clipwing done right, this one is a good start.
        Thanks Eric, always nice to hear from you. I hate to consider parting with this project, but its find someone for it or find a way to store it for the next several years, then get restarted without the benefit of the outstanding mentorship and support I've had in the shop. Moving three times in the next 3-5 years makes working on a project difficult to do! Thanks again and stay well!

        Comment


        • #5
          Any project recommended by Eric, I'd endorse.

          I'm simply in the wrong country!
          Rob

          Comment


          • #6
            Certainly not the "wrong" country, just a different country! ;-)

            Comment


            • #7
              Don't know whether ribs are stitched or clipped but for aerobatics I've found out (by researching NTSB reports) that spacing is critical. I learned when arriving at the '84 Sun n Fun when we heard what sounded like a flag flapping in a strong wind. In fact it was the show plane, a home built biplane just overhead losing fabric from the wing! Pilot bailed at some 2-300' and landed with broken bones but survived.

              Turns out the ribs were stitched at 2" intervals (if memory serves) as specified for "sport" applications but the requirement for "aerobatic" was half that amount, or double the normal stitching.

              But anyone configuring for aerobatics already knew this, right? Just checking. Did NOT like the sound of that flapping wing fabric. Pilot had maybe 2-3 secs max to react and jump.
              Last edited by wmfife; 03-31-2022, 08:55.
              Bill Fife
              BL12-65 '41 Deluxe Under (s-l-o-w) Restoration

              Comment


              • #8
                Thank you all for chiming in. I've uploaded around fifty additional pictures to the google drive link. Please reach out with any questions.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Hank Jarrett View Post
                  Certainly not the "wrong" country, just a different country! ;-)
                  I'd buy it if I lived in the US; that's what I meant.
                  As an aside, and off-topic, Eric's daughter Addie served in the US Military, and when she was stationed at RAF Lakenheath (seconded to the USAF) in East Anglia UK several years ago, Eric and his daughter came to my flying club at Leicester for an ad-hoc visit. Although I think I had met Eric before in the US, it was an absolute pleasure to meet them both together. This was several years ago, and I have no photos.

                  Rob

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    All,

                    I've included a more thorough write-up complete with pictures available at this link:

                    PROJECT HAS BEEN SOLD. Link to Hi-Res and additional pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18SBTv_wy6K6DS80EZZmlz5sFeIePyZ3D?usp=sharing Overview Thank you for your interest in my Clipwing Taylorcraft project. Below is a synopsis of the basic info. I have provided a detailed write-up...


                    Updated main post to reflect this. Thanks.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Sold

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