Dimensions and serial numbers ...

[Moose]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

This is getting "more curiouser" all the time ....

The fuselage has a piece that's stamped "S-001". The elevator control horns are stamped "S-001". The right aileron has a small piece (just like I see from Aviat on factory Pitts) of aluminum stamped "S-002 R". The left aileron has a piece in the same location, but I have not removed the aileron, yet, to take a look at what number is stamped on it.

I'm being told these numbers are possibly Swick numbers, but ... could they be the factory F-19 part serials? Would that make sense, or even be the right numbers for an F-19?

[mikerice]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

I have a Parts Catalog dated 1985 that lists part numbers and descriptions, and a quick review has no part numbers that start with "S".

Most are A-xxx, B-xxx etc.

[Moose]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

Thanks, Mike!

Does cover the F series airplanes, too? ... This has me scratching my head.

[mikerice]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

Yes, it covers the F19 and F22.

[crispy critter]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

On the F19 fuslage the serial number will be mounted on the right front seatbelt frame attach point. This is a gussett that welds between the lower right longeron and the cross tube below where the front of the seat sling would be attached. F-19's will have a serial number such as F-XXX. Most of the F-19's to my knowledge were properly marked with the correct s/n for the N# and paperwork. Most of them will also have a matching s/n's on the elevator control horns, and on a metal tag nailed to the one of the wing spars(usually the rear spar around the aileron bay somewhere). This is why the S-XXX serial number really throws me for a loop. I wondered if it were a sea plane version of the F19 but none of the TCDS list this anywhere. In fact the F19 doesn't designate a factory sea plane by model number like the BC series. The BC seaplane series from the factory has a BCS-12 to recognize it as a seaplane. I went threw the 1A9 TCDS for the F19 and couldn't find anything unless I overlooked it. Now you throw in the fact that it already has what appear to be factory built swick wings & ailerons with matching or near matching s/n's makes me wonder if this might have been an early attempt at a first factory built Swick Taylorcraft. However don't they almost always build the first one for load(destructive) testing, this might explain the nasty welding at the aft fuslage section...??? Just thinking out loud but that would make sense.

[Moose]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

I just got off the phone with the second owner of the project. The first owner passed away years ago, and as we know the Swicks can't answer any questions. So, here's what has been put together with what the second owner remembers ...

It would appear that it's a "Swick built" airplane, or at least a "Swick built" kit. The first owner had been close to the Swicks. But the Swick's cut ties with the first owner, when he decided to cut 18" out of the fuselage. (Swick said the airplane was unsafe to fly with the fuselage shortened. A point which is very true.) The 18" length was then replaced, but was not done as well as it could/should have. (I'm taking it to Rare Aircraft to have the longerons done "right" sometime later this month.) Everything was done very nicely in the building process.

[barnstmr]

Re: Dimensions and serial numbers ...

Mike Redpath... I spoke with the guy in Arkansas a couple years ago. He is working on it... it too has a shortened fuselage by 20 inches, wings shortened 48 inches (EACH), started life as a BC12D, was certified Experimental as clipwing. The modification was done in the 1950s by Miller aviation in Plainview or Amarillo TX. The most interesting part.... they retained the A65 engine.