Prebuy inspection?

[killowatt]

Good afternoon all,
I have tracked down the old family 12D and am looking at potentially purchasing it but I'm in a bit over my head with an older aircraft like this. Currently, Its in storage with the wings removed and I was able to do some initial poking around and inspecting but I don't really know what to look for other than the super obvious. The owner says the motor was pickled when it entered storage but again I don't know much about what to look for on the a65 other than what I have been reading on here. The fabric has been redone with ceconite at some point and looks fantastic but is of unknown age.
While I have a boatload of questions Ill try and keep it short and concise for this post.
1) Any place within a few hours of Chicago to go fly a BC12D and make sure I fit?
2) Recommendation on someone who could help with a prebuy?
3) Best way to transport wings, flat or on cradles in a truck?

Thanks,
Happy flying

[astjp2]

How far do you need to go? if you cradle, you need to support the entire leading edge or build a fixture to bolt the wings to. i prefer bolting the wings. Tom baker is from Illinois, he might take you for a flight and inspect it for you.

[3Dreaming]

I'm about 4-5 hours South of Chicago at the Olney-Noble Airport KOLY. I could take you for a ride. Where is the airplane located?

[waltermrich]

I could possibly help you with a look at it, I have had my BC12D for 12 years and live in Amana, Let me know what works.The important thing is are the log books available ?

[killowatt]

I could possibly help you with a look at it, I have had my BC12D for 12 years and live in Amana, Let me know what works.The important thing is are the log books available ?

That would be great, the logbooks are available but I haven't had a chance to look through them yet.

I'm about 4-5 hours South of Chicago at the Olney-Noble Airport KOLY. I could take you for a ride. Where is the airplane located?

It's currently about an hour outside of Chicago

How far do you need to go? if you cradle, you need to support the entire leading edge or build a fixture to bolt the wings to. i prefer bolting the wings. Tom baker is from Illinois, he might take you for a flight and inspect it for you.

Is there a standard fixture that everyone uses to hold the wings? I was thinking of renting a Uhaul to get it home with the wings strapped vertical on each side, it would only be a few hour drive home.

Thanks for the help!

[Hank Jarrett]

U-Haul works fine. Can't remember the length I used but I think all I had to do was take the tail surfaces off and could even leave the engine on. Rudder was "just a tad" too long to fit. With the rudder and elevators/stabs off and a slight angle I even had a lot of room for all the extra parts in the hangar. I could have taken the wings at the same time bit we decided to make two trips and take the wings alone so we could lay them flat on a bunch of foam cushions. Miles were cheap and I only had to move it to an airport15 miles down the road.

[3Dreaming]

When we put dad's airplane together we had to move it about 50 miles. We did it in 2 or 3 trips with a flat bed trailer and a van. I can't remember if we brought both wings in one trip. It was a full day with 6 plus hours of driving. Everything arrived with no damage from moving.

[Hank Jarrett]

Make sure you get extra help! If you think 3 people can do it, have 6! We did find that three could lift the nose of the T in even with the engine with no ramps. Also DON'T break the belly stringers on the edge of the trailer!!!! We tried ramps, but it was just too risky compared to lifting her. Had one on the prop shaft and one one each main. It WAS heavy! Three on the engine and 4 on the gear would have been a snap.

[M Towsley]

I just saw this post. I am in Springfield at SPI if you are down this way.