Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

[jwomble]

Look at Barnstormer ads every day and the question raised in the title appears to be true. Thought alot more tcrafts were built than post war chiefs and tcrafts have better performance.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Hello jwomble, welcome to the Taylorcraft tribe.

I think you know the answer.

Buy a Chief (or even a Champ) and then fly a Taylorcraft, and then that Aeronca is for sale!

[AKbrew]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Amen.

[M Towsley]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

I believe Rob is alluding to the pregnant belly look of Aeroncas.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

A picture is worth a thousand words...!

[Pearson]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

So are you guys saying that you think the reason there are more Chiefs for sale than Taylorcraft is because the Chief is so ugly?? Or are you saying it flies like a pig? I agree that the Aeronca AC series does look like it has a pot belly. But I wouldn't go so far as to describe it's flying characteristics as like a pig.

My personal opinion as to the reason there are more Chiefs for sale than Taylorcraft is due to the fact they have better parts support more people are rebuilding them. I have flown two Chiefs. I enjoyed flying both of them. They are easy to fly, easy to get in & out of, and easy to see out of. They are well made and easy to work on. I have a friend who likes rebuilding airplanes. He keeps rebuilding one after another. Long ago I asked him why he does only Aeroncas and that was his response, because he can get parts for it. He also mentioned something about drawings, but I don't recall the specifics. I love my Taylorcraft, but I don't turn a blind eye to other airplanes. The Taylorcraft has it's foibles just like a lot of other planes. We just get used to them and live with them to the point where we don't notice them very much.

[jim cooper]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

So are you guys saying that you think the reason there are more Chiefs for sale than Taylorcraft is because the Chief is so ugly?? Or are you saying it flies like a pig? I agree that the Aeronca AC series does look like it has a pot belly. But I wouldn't go so far as to describe it's flying characteristics as like a pig.

My personal opinion as to the reason there are more Chiefs for sale than Taylorcraft is due to the fact they have better parts support more people are rebuilding them. I have flown two Chiefs. I enjoyed flying both of them. They are easy to fly, easy to get in & out of, and easy to see out of. They are well made and easy to work on. I have a friend who likes rebuilding airplanes. He keeps rebuilding one after another. Long ago I asked him why he does only Aeroncas and that was his response, because he can get parts for it. He also mentioned something about drawings, but I don't recall the specifics. I love my Taylorcraft, but I don't turn a blind eye to other airplanes. The Taylorcraft has it's foibles just like a lot of other planes. We just get used to them and live with them to the point where we don't notice them very much.

Yes! Nicely put! I had a VERY nice champ, 85hp, great vis. Easy to fly, fun. There was a yellow and blue Chief around here not long ago very well done and smart looking. Bill Pancakes is a beauty! I think Luscombes are great too, especially the F model. Best, JC

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Aeroncas do have a unique history. Also Parts availability IS a good point. Also drawings were available from John Hauser for many years who worked and lives near the Old Aeronca factory in Middleton Ohio. Not sure if he is still with us or for that matter if Aeronca is still in the business of manufacturing Aerospace parts under contracts or not Any how he would go over there and make copies of drawings of the old TF,TL. TC series anyway for example. Taylorcrafts negatives seem to be more o more parts support issues than anything else. SOME ONE MAKE PARTS !! Why someone just does not make parts and perhaps later back into some restoration/rebuilds then perhaps jus t perhaps a 0-200 unit on special order. Drawings, we are told "are available" , seems to be a hit or miss proposition at best. Many of us hve been down THAT road too. Sometimes gold and often not.... Taylorcrafts are a superior plane from a purist view . It flies as well as it looks. Champs apply the same rule ! (Good much better visibility however.) ah the Trade offs. Yes a Luscombe is a nice plane also Jim.

[Guest]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

I have a 7ccm and a bc12d.

I think I have an entire set of drawings and service letters/bulletins for the Champ and many parts available from at least 2 sources.

For the bc12d there are no drawings available (there is talk of drawings but in practice there are no drawings) and many parts available from at least 2 sources.

Taylorcraft goes faster on 65hp than a Champ on 85 hp.

Getting into a Champ is easier/faster and easier to see out of once you are in.


Dave

[N95334]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

I have owned a 1941 Aeronca Chief 65hp and now 1946 Taylorcraft BC-12D. Both are nice airplanes but the Taylorcraft seems lighter and I can catch thermals in the summer where the Chief did not do so well. It is harder for this old fart to get in and out of the Taylorcraft. For some reason my Taylorcraft sit lower and I don't have to bend my head down to look out the side windows. Both will loop and barrel roll and spin very nicely.

[jwomble]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

There is a 46 Chief on barnstormer today for 16000. The cheapest Taylor craft is 20000. Bud Davidson wrote a pilot report once on the BCD-12 stating that in the 50’s and 60’s it was among the aircraft most likened abandoned at a tie down and left to rot. Maybe it was that Taylorcraft was always under funded where Aeronaca was financed by Taft family of Ohio. Maybe it was its cramped cockpit with that structure member hindering access. Postwar they were not finished off as well as the Chief and I think Chiefs appealed more to women passengers. Never less its speed on 65 hp (only topped by a Luscombe) makes it the most desirable vintage LSA available.

[baldeagle27]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Many Aeronca drawings are available online:

http://www.aeroncamuseum.org/Drawings.asp

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[M Towsley]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

My mom started on pre-war Taylorcrafts during the early 40's and then to Chiefs at Columbia while at college. All because that was all that was available. They flew whatever was there, including a Luscombe here and there. And, there have been several way under $20K Taylorcrafts. More under 20K than above 20K statistically.

[Pearson]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Many Aeronca drawings are available online:

http://www.aeroncamuseum.org/Drawings.asp

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Wow! Can you imagine the popularity of Taylorcraft airplanes if WE could just order drawings online like that.

[woodmw]

Re: Why are there always more Chiefs avaible than Tcraft and at lower prices?

Mom worked as a line girl for Roscoe Turner Aeronautical Corporation at Indianapolis Municipal Airport, later renamed Weir Cook. Most of her earnings went to lessons so she could qualify for WAF training in Sweetwater, Tx. Some of her time was in Aeroncas and, since they were a service and sales center, some in Taylorcrafts. But these planes were usually scheduled for military training, so most of her time is in a Fleet biplane. A recent issue of Vintage Airplane featured a restored Fleet. Mom's comments when I showed her were that the plane she flew was in a bit rougher condition.

Back to the thread. I wonder if perhaps the Tcrafts for sale start at a higher asking price, but sell in the same price range? And how long are they listed before they sell?