Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

[bashibazouk]

Hello All,

looking for nav lights for BL-65. The bosses are there in the wing bows and there is a post on the top of the vertical fin (there's a dipole antenna hooked to it at the moment). I've been searching the fora here and found numerous threads about FARs and generators, etc. I'd just like to figure out what model of lights I can use and where I might be able to find them.

I did find these at Aero Parts and Supply:


It's a Model W1285 Series. Will that work for the BL-65?

What about the tail? I'd rather not have to mod the rudder for the later style light, but where the heck can I find a light that will work on the post up there?

Thanks for any help! I'm trying to get my "new" baby from Bryan, TX to Winterville, NC and would sure like the opportunity to legally fly it before the thermals start every day.

Josh

[midniteflyer52]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Hi Josh,
The light that you have pictured is for the post war wing. If you have pre-war wings, the lights for those are the Grimes "B" style. There should be provisions for two small mounting studs on the tip bow for the flat base light. The tail light on top of the fin can or should also have a flat base although some use a post mount like on the Piper aircraft. There are two companies that I know of that carry these. Prefered Airparts and Avlite Aviation. For NOS lights expect to pay some big bucks for these. I just sold some in pretty good shape, I could check my inventory or perhaps some other forum members may have some they wish to part with. Good hunting.
Regards,
Glen Brodeur
TF #42
Putnam, CT

[bashibazouk]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Thanks, Glen. I appreciate the info, and judging by your username, you have some expertise in lighting! My situation is complicated by the fact that the wings were rebuilt in '90 with new spars, ribs, and tip bows from Taylorcraft. I would guess that they are BC-12D spec, but I can't prove that without looking at the airplane and it's far away right now.

Could I trouble you for part numbers if you've got them? I've bid on a post mount tail light on eBay and I'll wait to see how that goes for now. The preferred airparts site looks good-- that's where I got the picture I posted.

I'll check out the other one as well.

Josh

[bashibazouk]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Just looked at Avlite-- I got an email back from them this morning saying they need part numbers to help me out. The taylorcraft.com site was no help.

Josh

[jCandlish]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

My '39 has Grimes nav lights.

I've got some better pictures somewhere, but no spares.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Josh, if you have the definite teardrop mount on the wing tip the lights you pictured should work on the tips. If you have the post in the vertical fin then you need a post mount Grimes light there. Tom

[jCandlish]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Better Nav Light pictures. The part identification is clearly visible on the tail light.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

Thanks, guys!

Josh

[NY86]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

The Grimes Model B lights are part number A2340. Univair has new production glass, but not the assemblies. AvLite may still have some.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Source for Nav Lights for a 1940 BL-65?

I have two of the B model light fixtures, see photos below. I was gonna put them on eBay with a bunch of other lighting stuff, but if you want to make a pre-emptive offer I'm all ears. Rather see them mounted on a T-craft than something else.