New clipwing rebuild

[Jim Herpst]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Eric,

Thank you . Thats about what I was thinking a light weight one does. Mine left the factory at 691 # which included a whole host of optional equipment some of which we would consider as needed today(like brakes, Tailwheel and "extra door" !!! The optional "duel iginition" came in at 11lbs (Slicks I believe are lighter) the compass at 1.5 lbs will be replaced with a vertical card unit(lighter) the lights at 3lbs will be deleted but as you take those items out others come back to haunt you like repairs to the airframe, Paint and covering materials that are heavier today... Soo if I can get 100mph cruise with a Continental A-65 and closed cowl I will be very happy. Time will tell I guess.

Glad to hear you are satisfied with how yours flys. Chet mentioned this in his book and has made it a point of repeating to me again. I really believe all Taylorcrafts are great. Pre wars do have some slight drawbacks to some I guess. Seems like though they do perform the best however.

Thank you again.

Jim

[Forrest Barber]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

The Taylorcraft B models use about 3 degrees 49 minutes ( calculated) of angle of incidence. As I said before , you have to raise the front of the stab attach points by adding another tube on top of the original to give you 3/4 to 1 inch rise. Check the plans!!
As to the flipper trim, no pre-war with flipper trim ( or very few) came from the factory with a closed cowl. ONE was built for C.G. to take to the Florida showing and he devised the adjustable tab very quickly when he came home . As we have said before , when you modify an open cowl ship to a closed cowl one then you should change the trim system OR add a small fixed tab on the elevator ( bent up) and try to get cruise speed with the flipper neutral.... I agree that a lighter ship will perform better BUT remember I tore the fabric off Leisa Marie (In the air) and had to have her recovered back at Lock Haven about 1991 ; its in the Book by Chet. This was the HX-90 Stits that was too light..... they gave us a complete set for a Cub as a quick settlement.
Light , heavy , fast , slow, lots of HP , minimun HP; ah Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!! Remember to pause and reflect during Ben Mauro's funeral on Thurs. check the Memorial on the Foundation thread. I still maintain that the factory should produce a 28-29 ft Taylorcraft with 150HP as the ultimate Sport ship.....Leisa had a 1280 Gross , I will look up all the other stuff and post. She had an inverted stall Speed of 54 mph ( hmmmmm)upright was 46 mph.. good night to all

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Well it finally flew again. Just a short 1/2 hour flight. The weather was not very pretty, but the wind was not very strong either. The flight went OK, but I will have to do some adjusting. It was a little left wing heavy. Stall speed is below 45 mph indicated(I didn't stall it), and 2500 rpm it was indicating 125mph. I want to check these numbers against a GPS to see if they are anywhere close to correct. Now the $100,00.00 question for the clip wing people. How much wash out should a clip wing have? I hope to get the adjustments made so I can fly it again as soon as the weather permits. Tom

[Acroeric]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Congratulations on the flight! Awesome to hear of it taking to the air again.

My Swick had no washin ot washout. Not sure if it was supposed to but it flew great with none. Also- there was only the slightest bit of dihedral maybe an inch at the tips.

What prop are you running?

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

The prop is a McCauley 69 50 from a Cessna 150.

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Some pictures from the first flight.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Damn, that looks great ! Gotta be nice. Which engine. Certain you said so before. How far are you from Chicago ? Have a very good Navy buddy there. May be going there soon.

[zero.one.victor]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Looking good, Tom! 125 cruise on 90 horses and under-45 stall, that's awesome. Should be very useful for all-around flying, including off fairly short strips. I'm envious.....

Eric

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Damn, that looks great ! Gotta be nice. Which engine. Certain you said so before. How far are you from Chicago ? Have a very good Navy buddy there. May be going there soon.

If you are flying to Chicago stop in here at KOLY were only about 200 miles straight South. Tom

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Looking good, Tom! 125 cruise on 90 horses and under-45 stall, that's awesome. Should be very useful for all-around flying, including off fairly short strips. I'm envious.....

Eric

I have yet to verify that 125 number with the GPS yet. The weather has been rainy or windy here this week, and sometimes both at the same time. I,m ready for a break in the weather to get the second flight on it to check the rigging changes, and verify the speed. Tom

[M Towsley]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Hey Tom,

You forgot the picture from the back. Did you do the paint scheme on top that you showed me?

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Hey Tom,

You forgot the picture from the back. Did you do the paint scheme on top that you showed me?

No. It's solid red on the top. From the back or side with the exception of the ruder it has a stock scheme on it. Tom

[M Towsley]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

It still looks very nice Tom, I'm glad to see it flying. Nice job!

[gmackay]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Looks great Tom!
You've been so helpful sharing all this information, any chance you might have a picture of the inside of a wing that you wouldn't mind sharing with everyone?
Good luck on the remaining test flights.

[3Dreaming]

Re: New clipwing rebuild

Looks great Tom!
You've been so helpful sharing all this information, any chance you might have a picture of the inside of a wing that you wouldn't mind sharing with everyone?
Good luck on the remaining test flights.

I know we have pictures, but I'm not sure if they are on digital format. I'll have to see what I can do. Tom