purchasing used Taylorcraft

[new pilot]

I am a new pilot, and am looking at purchasing a model F19 or F21-A/B. My father informs me that he used to instruct in the BC-12D. He thought that a Taylorcraft would be a good plane for me to purchase to gain taildragger time in while I am finishing my degree. The reasons he gave were: price and airplane flying charicteristics comparable to his PA-18 (150 hp). Unfortunatly he does not know as much about the newer models such as the F19 and F21. With your more current knowledge could anyone give me more information on these model differences and their oppinions on me purchasing one. Thank you in advance.
Michael Wright
[email protected]

[jgerard]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

The Model 19/ F19 and the F21 series aircraft all have electrical systems and sell for twice the price of a typ. BC12D. If you are concerned about density alt. buy a F19 with the 0-200 or the F21 with the 0-235.

What part of the country are you in? I'm sure someone off this list would take you flying in their plane if you asked.

Jason
N43643

[shawn coleman]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Hello, my name is Shawn Coleman . I have owned and f 19 Taylorcraft since the fall of 92 . I can honestly say that the Taylorcraft is by far undervalued for what it delivers . I refer it to it as my poor man's super cab . it will do anything I ask it burns about 5 1/2 gallons an hour . and I have burned car gas exclusively since 92 with no problems. The plane flies , excellently but it does require that you fly it correctly . or it will let you know in my opinion A Taylorcraft will not allow you to be sloppy with your rudder work. I would say , everybody should spend some time in a Taylorcraft pilots would be better for it.

As far as mechanically , the plane doesn't seem in my experience to have any weak points since 92 . I haven't had to have anything done . besides basically change the oil and put in new spark plug , and I spend around $600 a year for annual. Feel free to contact me at [email protected], as I remember . I think it says you are in Idaho . if you are close to Ontario , I would gladly take you for a ride or let you look at my plane.

Shawn Coleman
208 ap

[new pilot]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Live in Buhl, ID next to Twin Falls, but am currently In Hamilton, MT until middle February. Thanks for the info

[crispy critter]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

New Pilot and tribe,
Ed Athey in Limestone,Tennessee has a couple of really nice t-crafts for sale.One is an F-19,the other is a Model 21.If your interested email or PM me and I'll give ya his contact info.I can also deliver them to any potential buyer's anywhere in the lower 48,Canada,and/or Alaska.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Kev He also has what he says is a model 19 that was reimported into the US and the registration was lost on it at that time . Since then it has been represented as A BC12D or an experimental not sure.. IS this the model 19 to which you refer? From what I recall he said the one without paperwork sounded like it could be a diamond in the rough.

[Carl Ellis]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

And there is this one that I posted yesterday.

http://vb.taylorcraft.org/showthread.php?t=1167

[crispy critter]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Jim,
I have flown the F-19 that he has for sale,in fact there is a picture of it and Ed on in my gallery photos.I have looked at the other F-19 that he has from Canada and it is truly a dimond in the rough.I am still thinking of buying it.It has some minor hangar rash but nothing major it is disassembled but would be very easy to make a nice flying bird out of it.Everything on the Canada bird still looks brand new once you wipe off the dust.
The F-19 that he has for sale(the one on my gallery page)is also a nice bird.It flies great,looks good,and has been well cared for.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Kevin, I wonder if you were to buy it and get a conformity check done whether you could get a new airworthness issued? Might be wrth a try. Good luck with it if you decide on her. You may also be able to find some paper work off a totaled Alaska ship or some such also. JIM

[crispy critter]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Jim,
I know the original N number is still available for it.It was never reissued to another airplane.

[Jim Herpst]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Kev,
Someone with a few bucks to spend needs to get that one (Few bucks to spend.. ah sigh)

[Brady]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Michael,

I currently own an F-19 and an F-21A. I've also previously owned a 1941 BC-12-65 for 11 years. They are all fine planes.

The BC-12-65 was my first love and I had years of great adventures with very little that ever went wrong with the plane. It did amazing things on 65hp and was a joy to fly. The thing I especially liked about it was how incredibly light it was--something like 700 pounds empty.

The F-19 is a great all-around plane. The performance is a bit better than the BC-12. It is a little faster, with a considerably better climb performance (I would say on average, 800 fpm as compared to about 500 fpm). It goes farther (24 gallons of gas as opposed to 12). It has a huge baggage compartment and a fairly good legal useful load (about 560 lbs). The radio and transponder are nice conveniences.

The F-21 has an incredibly short take-off roll (about 250' on pavement) and excellent climb capability. I commonly see over 1000 fpm. This plane is truly a "poor man's Supercub." The 118 hp (O-235) Lycoming is a strong engine. The limits on my plane are the 24 gallons of fuel won't take me quite as far as the F-19. The "legal" useful load is slightly less than the F-19 because the plane is a little heavier and the has the same 1500 lb max gross. Some of the latter F-21s have a higher certified max gross and 40 gallons of fuel. Let's just say that I've never had any trouble carrying what I could fit in it. It has the same baggage bay as the F-19. I spent a week in the Rockies this summer operating out of Buena Vista, Co with my oldest son. It was fairly hot and very high altitude (over 8000' if my memory is correct). We had a blast and the plane performed amazingly well.

I don't think you can go wrong with any model T-craft. Just depends what you are looking for.

Good Luck,
Brady

[CraigH]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

I spent a week in the Rockies this summer operating out of Buena Vista, Co with my oldest son. It was fairly hot and very high altitude (over 8000' if my memory is correct). We had a blast and the plane performed amazingly well.

Brady, what dates were you in Buena Vista? I had my F21B based there for 3 days around July 4, 2004. Even with full fuel, two occupants and 150 pound of baggage the plane performed great!

http://www.airplanecards.com/gallery/CraigH/Wes_Craig_and_Steve_at_Buena_Vista

[Carl Ellis]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Michael,



The F-19 is a great all-around plane. The performance is a bit better than the BC-12. It is a little faster, with a considerably better climb performance (I would say on average, 800 fpm as compared to about 500 fpm). It goes farther (24 gallons of gas as opposed to 12). It has a huge baggage compartment and a fairly good legal useful load (about 560 lbs). The radio and transponder are nice conveniences.


Brady

Last May, my buddy and I were flying my F-19 through Red Bluff, CA. We had full fuel, 2x190 lbs pilots, and our gear. We were right at gross. The temps were in the 80's but we had a comfortable 500fpm climb at 80mph.

- Carl -

[Brady]

Re: purchasing used Taylorcraft

Craig,

I was there (Buena Vista) around the second week of June. I remember seeing the picture you posted from Leadville a while back. I was going to land there (Leadville) one morning. Bueny was clear, but there were some clouds and a little fog looming in around Leadville. I flew most of the way up the valley, but decided not to try it.

The Bueny airport made for a great "base." We stayed with some friends in town and did some hiking and rafting. We also flew to Denver and saw a Rockies game, then prior to going home, camped in Toas, NM for a couple days. We did it all around the time of my boy's 14th birthday. I figured there may not be too many more years he'll want to spend a week in the summer with dad. It was a really neat trip.

Brady