Fuselage Year

[Wayne]

What year fuselage has the outward bow on the rear of the door frame? My data plate says 46 but I haven't seen another one like it. The picture is a little hard to see but maybe you get the idea.
Thanks!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Fuselage Year

When T-craft went back int production in late '45, they used up the remaining pre-war inventory. '45 T-crafts are rare and a mixture of parts.

What trim system is in it? Crank overhead with prewar doors is more than likely a '45. If it has or had the flying tab under the stabilizer, it is a pre-war fuselage. Don't know what serial number they went to the aluminum spot welded doors, but mine one of our old T-crafts was built in Feb '46 with wood door frames and spot welded doors.

What kind of ribs on the wings? Stamped or built up? If built up 13 ribs or 15? All these things make a difference. Also look for the serial number. Once you find it, check to see if the serial number tag is still in the wings and if they match.

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Fuselage Year

Just noticed your number. If it is the original number which I think it is, it would make your paperwork at least late '45 or early '46. I had N39125 which was one of the last prewar "B" models built.

Mike

[Wayne]

Re: Fuselage Year

Thanks Mike, lots of info. I will have to do some checking to answer all of your questions. I know the serial number stamped on the fuselage does not match tha data plate. The ribs are aluminum and 15. I will have to look tonight to make sure. They are already covered so I don't know if I could see a serial number. It was first owned by Southern Airways. I got the data CD from the FAA with all the records.

[Wayne]

Re: Fuselage Year

I forgot, the trim is overhead with the tab on the left elevator.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Fuselage Year

Stamped or built up ribs? You can see the serial number tag through the aileron bellcrank hole nailed to the rear spar if it is still attached. With prewar doors and overhead trim, and what looks like a postwar panel, it would appear to be late '45 or very early '46 fuse. What is the build date on the data plate?

Mike

[Wayne]

Re: Fuselage Year

It is January 46, I don't remember the day of the month. It seems like it was 18th. I would say the ribs are built up.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Fuselage Year

How far off is the paperwork from the airplane? Everything looks correct up to this point.

Mike

[flybikefarm]

Re: Fuselage Year

Mine was built 01-02-46. The frame # and serial are 76. It has fabric covered doors that match frame # with wood only on bottom of door opening. Wings are built up ribs. George

[Wayne]

Re: Fuselage Year

My serial number is 6771 on the data plate. I can't remember what the stamp says on the door bracket. My doors are metal.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Fuselage Year

My 1940 airplane has the little bow in the square tube at the rear of the door. I suspect that they all may have this, and the wooden "secondary structure" that is on many post-war airplanes was simply fitted around this bow. Check into it.

Bill

[crispy critter]

Re: Fuselage Year

What year fuselage has the outward bow on the rear of the door frame? My data plate says 46 but I haven't seen another one like it. The picture is a little hard to see but maybe you get the idea.
Thanks!

Wayne,
Check the S/N on the fuslage and post for us. The doors are most certainly prewar.In fact those doors are the rolled steel frame doors were most commenly used on the A models and some of the pre-war B's(I think). Someone may have replaced the fuslage sometime in the past or anything,but those doors are definitely very pre-war.

[Armstrong]

Re: Fuselage Year

Wayne ,I have the same bow out on my doors and fuse. Mine paper work says mine is a'46 serial #6881.
My has 15 ribs(stamped) and the plate in the wing says # 6901. Its a little corroded so its hard to read.
My doors are steel tube frame with metal. So is mine built from parts?
Where would I find the serial # on the fuse? The data plate is there ,but blank. Thanks Rob

[crispy critter]

Re: Fuselage Year

Rob,
If it's a post war the s/n will be on the back of the throttle plate(the metal plate that hangs down under the panel where you throttle cable,fuel shut off,primer,carb heat,etc are mounted too). If it is a pre-war it will be on one of your door hinges.

[Armstrong]

Re: Fuselage Year

Thanks Kevin, I looked at the plate but it has thick paint, so I checked the left upper and right upper door hinge, and they both say 6949.
The logs dont show any damage(they almost never do ), but the first 12 years are missing from the logs. Why put the # on somthing that can be so easily changed like the door? My logs showed the airplane was in Wooster Ohio at the Wayne flying club in the early 60's and was flown in and out of Barber airport and worked on by Al Barber.I wonder if that is Forrest's dad? Rob