BC-12 empty weight questions

[n6346m]

I'm sure it's been asked many times before but I'm looking for an average empty weight of a BC-12D. I don't really mean some rebuilt airplane where the builder was obsessed with keeping it light nor am I looking for one that has had a lots of goodies and mods made without consideration of the weight consequences. I'm looking for the weight of a basic non-electric wood prop airplane with average non show quality fabric finish and stock tires and tailwheel. If it has a Scott 3200 or a metal prop I can do the math and make the correction. The reason that I am looking for this information is that I would like to compare it to the empty weight of my L-2B.

Bob Picard

[Bigdog]

I've had 2 BC-12Ds. For some reason I remember the first from 40+ years ago was 783 lbs. The other was ~790ish. Both had metal props. Why are you comparing your L-2 to BC's? From what I've seen, L-2's run significantly heavier.

[Robert Lees]

I've done a lot of weighing of Taylorcraft over the years (always with calibrated scales). I should think I've weighed 20 Taylorcraft (many of them duplicates)

The last two I weighed was in February 2021, both with metal props.

One of these was my own Taylorcraft G-BREY, BC-12D made in March 1946 and the empty weight of 848 lb with empty weight CG at 17.72" aft of datum. (I have the 1280lb gross weight increase and the C85), and skylight and lots of extra tanks and all sorts of radio batteries.

The other one I did on the same day with the same scales was G-BRPX which I used to own. It's a 1941 model but completed after the War and legally a BC-12D. One wing tank. A-65. No mods. Empty weight came out as 790lbs with empty weight CG at 16.29" aft of datum.

This pre-war one is so much more a delight to fly because it's so light (and it's very noticeable!) Dave Nuss very kindly allowed me to fly his one at one of the Alliance fly-ins in the early/mid 2000s. The pre-war Taylorcraft are much better flying machines, but some of them are limited to 1150lb gross weight.

My own aircraft G-BREY, with that extra 80lb of GW and the C-85, can carry me and my fat buddy for 5 hours with all the camping gear and beer we need.

It's like comparing a C172 to a C182 but only two seats but at one fifth of the cost!

Rob

[n6346m]

I've had 2 BC-12Ds. For some reason I remember the first from 40+ years ago was 783 lbs. The other was ~790ish. Both had metal props. Why are you comparing your L-2 to BC's? From what I've seen, L-2's run significantly heavier.

Bigdog,
I'm in Seattle right now working on my wings so I don't have all the information with me. I'm just trying to compare the useful load of my particular airplane vs a typical side-by-side Tcraft. Everybody seems to say that the L-2 is considerably heavier but as I recall my empty weight is under 800lbs, I will check on that when I get home. I'd like to know what considerable is. Mine is a B model and is probably slightly lighter than the M model with the installation of the spoilers. Even if the typical L-2B is as much as 100 lbs heavier than its side-by-side counterpart, the extra 100 lbs gross weight increase (TCDS 1300 lbs gross wt for L-2A & B) would give the L-2B about the same useful load.

Bob Picard

[Leenicklas]

I rebuilt my BC12-D ......no extras.....tried to keep it close to original as possible. Stewart system on fabric, wooden prop, no electronics.... came out at 773#

[n6346m]

Thank you. That's the kind of info I'm looking for.

[astjp2]

Mine in just over 900, but I am going to re weigh it. Hydraulic toe brakes and heavier stringers along with the big baggage added up quick. Tim

[PA1195]

My BF-12-65 was "745" out the door in May 1941. That may be a bulk guess by the factory or an actual weight. Now after several STC's (like SA1-210) and C-85-12/metal prop plus electrical it's 838 on 26" Airstreak tires, 822 on AERO 2K skis, and 904 on EDO 1320 floats.

Note: The closer to the Equator you are the heavier they get

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Last time I weighed my 41 it was 819# with oil and all normal items taken on flight like the radio, 2 headsets, spare batteries for radio plotter, knee board etc (basically everything most people take but don't seem to count). I get a kick out of people who take EVERYTHING not bolted in out and then don't count them while using their own weight from when they were stark naked before their morning shower.)

Hank

[n6346m]

I finally got around to checking my current W&B and empty weight is 840 lbs so I was in error in my previous guess. 1300 gross -840 empty = 460 useful. How does that compare with an average BC12 with wood prop non electric?

[astjp2]

Bob, that should be in the ballpark. Mine is much heavier but I gained 30# in brakes and probably another 10 in heavier stringers and 3 for thicker leading edges and 8 for too thick of aileron coves. It adds up quick

[Mark Bowden]

Bob, in your last post you mention a GW of 1300, the BC12-D gross is only 1200 lbs. The BC12D-85 has a GW of 1280 in 1948, Sea plane gross was 1351 lbs. The BC12D-4-85 also at 1280 lbs., got side window, sky lights and -12F engine in 1949. Info is in TCDS's, #A-696.

[3Dreaming]

I finally got around to checking my current W&B and empty weight is 840 lbs so I was in error in my previous guess. 1300 gross -840 empty = 460 useful. How does that compare with an average BC12 with wood prop non electric?

For a BC12-D to have that kind of useful load at the 1200 pound gross your empty weight would need to be 740. I am not going to say that number is impossible, but you would need to pay attention to every detail when doing the restoration. My old BL was right around 690 empty with a 1150 gross weight. It was covered with light weight fabric, minimal finish, and no added extras from when it came from the factory except for a ELT.

[Lisa]

Note: The closer to the Equator you are the heavier they get

Gary

And the closer to (or further below) sea level.

Lisa