T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

[Dano"T"]

I have a friend who is looking to get his Sport Pilot's License and is buying a plane. He has a dilema. There is a Beautiful T-Craft BC-12D for Sale near here (VERY NICE) 20 HRS since total restoration, 600 SMOH on A-65 and also there is a Kitfox model 4 he's looking at with a rebuilt 582 rotax. I told him the T-Craft is my choice...but I'm partial. The 2 airplanes are the same $$. Since I have no experience with a Kitfox he asked me to spin this thread out there to you guys who have flown both. Does the Kit fox compare? and is it as good an investment as a certified T-Craft?

[Mark Julicher]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

I have flown both so I'll offer a humble opinion. The Taylorcraft is a little slower and handles better with less adverse aileron yaw, and I think tracks better on landing, although it may have been th esetup of the plane I flew. Kitfox should have an electrical system which is kind of nice depanding on where you fly. Kitfox has better visibility. Left handed stick control in Kitfox needs to be trained. Kitfox has large aileron induced yaw excursions when flaps are down.

I won't trade my T-craft for a Kitfox.

I am not an impartial judge I have owned the T-craft 20 years.

[crispy critter]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

I must agree with Mark.I have flown a Kitfox 4 and it really is a nice flying airplane,a little faster than most t-craft but not all.It had a cruise of about 105-110mph,so not really much to compare.The kitfox did not feel as stable in slow flight and it was a little squirmy on the ground....but not too bad.
Something you might want to make your friend aware of is that the t-craft in a certified built airplane and the kitfox is not.

[flylo]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

I've flown a Kitfox 5 & I'll take the T-Craft hands down.The Kitfox I flew was a little faster but didn't seems as stable on the ground or in the air.Why own a homebuilt when you can own a certified classic.In fact I was going to build a Kitfox until I flew one.

[selje]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

I have owned a Kitfox in the past and several Taylorcrafts. The Taylorcraft is the better aircraft and better investment. The kitfox was not stable and would not fly hands off. Never did trust the 2 cycle engine even though it had great power to weight ratio. The only advantage to the kitfox is the electrical system and starter. I would not trade my BC12-D for two Kitfoxes.

[Len Petterson]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

My Taylocraft is flying and the only Kitfox in the area is grounded despite being new, Why I don't know why but I think engine problems.
I raced many 2 strokes in cars back in the 63 to 68 in Sweden and never had any problems, but we did not skimp in the oil mixed in the gas. They smoked but ran good.( Not leagal to smoke like what today!) Nowdays they realy on a pump to mix it in. I seen many a snowmobile with seased pistons, from nothing but lack of lube. ( A club member with aPelican, just exchangd his Rotax 582 for one with Blue heads, witch have different internal cooling chanals to prevent cold seasures.)
Hang a KFM or BMW R80 with a Rotax B gear box on the Kitfox, then fly the Kit fox. Conservative, No, but moving parts needs oil all the time !
Yes the Kitfox is quieter then the T- craft but if the fan stops and it get's reel quiet, the pilots body temp goes up! Now you the second purpose for the "fan".
Len

[CraigH]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

Tcraft definitely would get my vote.

[VictorBravo]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

Here is an interesting test to apply. Look through the FAA databases, the T-craft club and the Kitfox club. See if there are any Kitfoxes that have been flying safely and reliably for 60 or 65 years. Let me know what you find

The Kitfox is a reasonably good airplane. It started out as a "safer and more sturdy ultralight" which is exactly what it is. If I can't escape my past, then neither can the Kitfox!

The big advantage is that you can do whatever modifications you want without any government meddling.

The disadvantage is that the Taylorcraft is a light to medium duty airplane (in terms of structure and flight loads and weather ability) and the Kitfox is a VERY light duty airplane.

You will find very few pop rivets in a Taylorcraft
You will find very few un-reliable engines in a Taylorcraft
You will find very few cases of control flutter (flaperons) in a T-craft
You will find very few structural joints where wood is glued to aluminum with epoxy in a Taylorcraft
The wings do not fold on a Taylorcraft (on the ground OR in the air)
You will find very few Kitfoxes that are making a living as bushplanes in harsh conditions
You WILL find many Taylorcrafts that have flown well past TBO overhaul time, measured in THOUSANDS of hours

I'm not so much knocking the Kitfox, it is a very successful and well liked kitplane. I am simply stating that the T-craft is an exceptionally good airplane for the same money as a pretty good airplane.

Bill

[Dick Smith]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

One of the nicest KitFoxes I've seen has been tied down close to my Taylorcraft for about a year. It has a Honda engine, 3-bladed prop and 26 inch tires. Belonged to an FAA guy from Nome before it was purchased by a neighbor. He flew it all over this area and often came in with a lot of mud on it, as he operated it in some places that qualify as "bush". I thought it looked pretty "tough", as we used to refer to nice cars. The problem I perceived was the loadability factor. A Taylorcraft has its own difficulties when it comes to loading bulky and heavy stuff, but it appears to me that getting heavy items in the back of a KitFox would provide some difficulty. You would have to "work" at setting something heavy down inside without straining your back or letting it hit the floorboard quite solidly. Lifting a heavy item out would be somewhat of a chore also. I thought the plane looked like it could go into some pretty ugly places, but I wouldn't think of trading my Taylorcraft for it, even though the KitFox is almost new and my plane was built in 1947. The KitFox was recently sold and the owner is flying a 170 Cessna with 180 hp...on floats. I'll will inquire as to the rational involved. Dick

[Dick Smith]

Re: T-Craft or KitFox Model 4

Even though I would take my Taylorcraft over a KitFox, this link gives some idea of what the latter is capable of: http://www.sportflight.com/alaska2005/
Dick