Restoration progress at the factory

[8708]

I have attached a few photos of my BC12D that is being restored at the factory. I was down there a few weeks ago and saw the early stages of the covering. It is now ready to go in the paint booth. The new spars for the wings have arrived so now they are moving to them. I am having the engine overhauled in Odessa, TX but have hit a slow down there as the wrong wrist pins were shipped with the new cylinders.
Jay

[mulwyk]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Jay:

Great photos! Very interesting.

They certainly seem to be moving right along on your project. How long does it take to get a T-craft restored at the factory? What is the approximate cost?

Bob

[8708]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Hi Bob,
The work has taken about 18 months so far. Had a lot of progress at the start then a slowdown with the move to Brownsville. Had problems ordering spars and some other equipment that slowed down the work as well.
Approximate cost for the factory restoration is $20K. Engine overhaul has been around $8K. Nice thing though is it will essentially be a new airplane!
I can hardly wait to fly it again.
I started this restoration in 1986 when the fabric could not pass the annual. Then came marriage, kids, a move overseas, etc.
Jay

[M Towsley]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Congrats Jay,

Is that a Cub I spot in the background of the first picture at the Taylorcraft factory?!?! Hope the plane turns out well for you, looks nice so far!

[tim]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

wow do u know if they take a payment plan ??

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Jay;
While you were at the factory -- did you see any wing tanks ready to go? I saw tacked together tanks but no new tanks. How about wings? In April when I visited the factory -- I saw several old wing sets laid up for what appeared to be teaching or sorting out manufacturing steps but no new wings. How about you?

It appeared to me that the factory was turning out tube bodies built in their factory but not much progress beyond several unskinned but welded frames. How about what you saw?

Thanks and with regards;
Ed O'Brien

[8708]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Hi Ed,
I did not see tanks anywhere, but I wasn't looking for them either so I can't help much there.
I know they were waiting on wing spars and finally did receive them. That was really holding up my project.
They seem to have caught up with alot of the smaller parts like fairings, trim tab parts and the like. They were also building doors and that was the first time I had seen them doing that.
I agree that they seem to have a lot of fuselages on hand but are not making as fast a progress on other fronts.
Jay

[8708]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

I expect they have a payment plan in place. I have paid for mine project as it went along.

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Thanks Jay!
That does appear to be progress. As slow as it has seemed to us, I'm sure it feels double slow to Harry. That said, progress is good!
With regards;
Ed O'Brien

[crispy critter]

Re: Restoration progress at the factory

Thanks Jay!
That does appear to be progress. As slow as it has seemed to us, I'm sure it feels double slow to Harry. That said, progress is good!
With regards;
Ed O'Brien

Ed,how is your t-craft coming along????