Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

[Axelrod]

Looking for original style Taylorcraft cockpit controls/knobs...pull type primer, Carb, Throttle Cabin heat etc... does anyone reproduce these? Thanks

[Guest]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

Looking for original style Taylorcraft cockpit controls/knobs...pull type primer, Carb, Throttle Cabin heat etc... does anyone reproduce these? Thanks

Pull primers are rare and I have never seen a reproduction.

The other knobs and controls have in my opinion always looked like their modern counterparts but maybe I overlooked something.

Try Wag Aero.

Dave R

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

I made molds and cast the pre-war knobs and throttle ball but failed to ever figure out the mix ratios for the resin so it looked like ivory. I did find out they originally used ground fish scales before the war but I couldn't find the right resin to experiment with.

Hank

First shot is an original panel from an old advertisement and second is my panel. And no, I haven't gotten the engraving done yet. Color is paint and markings just a felt pen. Got to start somewhere and I wanted to get in the air. Still messing with making NICE knobs.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

Yes those are alternate Deluxe wheels. Still rebuilding the Banjo wheels.

Hank

[wmfife]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

Hank,

In the first photo I see the spokes on the original Banjo yoke appear to be painted with the interior color. And close inspection of the (different) panel pic on p. 123 of Peek seems to confirm this factory scheme.

So - could it be some are spending a lot they don't need to getting these spokes individually plated? I have bona fide taupe enamel (that's the color name on the cans) so might just go with authentic over shiny. Your thoughts?

Bill

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

"Taupe" was the color that matched a lot of small spots in protected areas in my cockpit too. I also found a paint color called "Putty" that was really close. I "assumed" it was remnants of some original paint since I had also seen it on other planes. I had seen a lot of Banjo wheels painted but not any from the factory photos and just "assumed" (there is that word again) people had done it when the Nickel plating started to fail. I wouldn't doubt a bit that the factory might have painted them if there was something slowing the delivery of plated wheel parts. They just WERE NOT that concerned back then with standardization on "looks" parts. Plating back then was much cheaper than now but even then paint would have cost less.

I may just give the paint a try and see how it looks. It isn't that hard to blast the paint off and plate the parts if I don't like it! The main reason I haven't been messing with the Banjo wheels is the alternate ones are SO COMFORTABLE to use! I really love them, even more than the modern ones or the Pretzels.

Hank

I have seen and held a Banjo with a leather wrap on the outer rim and didn't like it. The owner loved them but to me they weren't comfortable and looked like they had been wrapped (not a "factory" look to me). I think he used a car wheel kit. To each his own, they weren't bad, but I wouldn't have done it.

[wmfife]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

I did a search for "Leatherette" awhile back and only found responses from U.K. suppliers. I sent for some samples. But the U.S. counterparts under vinyl, imitation leather or simply vinyl upholstery when examining those samples proved to be identical in every way.

I now have enough of the stuff to re-do my interior trim at least twice over. C.G. was a good century ahead of his time in this area. I would never use real leather anywhere in mine unless there were no alternative. And so far from fuel valves to the tail post I haven't find that to be the case. Have I missed anything?

Still trying to find a way to load it from my HD files but a color pic of an Aeronca 11AC Chief panel shows a very similar banjo yoke design that is clearly painted overall - even the center plug. Of course it probably isn't a factory photo but still appears a faithful restoration as the entire interior is the same neutral light color.

I would settle for some way to coat the bows of mine just to fill them out a bit... these are a good 1/8" thinner at least than I would like them and the pretzel designs that followed fixed all that. Thinking maybe some epoxy. Or powder coating or even that black rubberizing dip meant to be used on pliers handles. Something has got to work and still pass muster with my IA. I mean does purist always have to predominate over practical?

PS: Had to do a search online to find this so-labeled "taupe" enamel and drive some distance to get it. Later visiting that out-of-town hardware store I found they no longer carry that brand or this color. Good thing I stocked up.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

I talked to an old timer upholsterer when I did the 41 and he said "Leatherette" was just the original name for what we call "vinyl imitation leather". Evidently "Leatherette" was a specific product name, like "Kleenex" is a manufacturers name for their tissue. The only difference we could find was the type of fabric the vinyl was laid up on and pressed for the leather look.

As for teh Aeronca wheel it is NOT the same at the Banjo. I have one that was sent to me by someone who thought it was for a Taylorcraft. They look alike at first glance but are NOTHING alike when placed next to each other and the shaft is the wrong diameter and length.

[wmfife]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

...That's what I meant by "similar". They both are Banjo-type designs, but for specific aircraft and definitely NOT interchangeable. I was merely posing them as an example.

In fact surfing through Aeronca links I see the gamut of finishes, many using the same plating discussed for the T-Craft yokes. I guess it comes down to a matter of personal taste and your bank account.

By way of sedgewaying back to the main thread, I did find some aircraft knobs on eBay apparently of black Bakelite that could be used in lieu of those found in some T-Craft, like mine which look like aftermarket. These are chrome-plated metal and almost certainly not original. Just have to see if the threads match.

These are more like I remember in the SWP's* I learned in especially the carb. heat and mixture. Maybe could coat them with some liquid epoxy and a bit of cream or white enamel to better blend on a T panel? But then this replacement (large type) throttle knob is black. Why fix it if it ain't broke. I would be happy with an original Taylorcraft logo pressed in at the correct angle.

(*SWP = Short-Winged-Pipers... E.G. Colts and Trikes.) - Ed.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wanted Taylorcraft Controls

Here are some pictures I found. Both nice, but the Aeronca is also all welded together.

I cast some throttle balls and instrument knobs but never could get the colors right. I really liked the original "ivory" look. Tried several resins and coloring agents, just never could get it. You CAN get the mold good enough for the logo but it is easier to just take it to an engraver.