1938 taylor young

[Sloanlow]

All right Im ready to cover and assemble my model a, I need to know (forest) what was the original color of this plane? Additionally I have a 65 hp motor but do not want to modify the exposed cylynder cowling id rather keep it is there any way around this? if i have to go with a more modern cowling then can i go to the 85 then the 100 hp like in the 46 BC12 D? etc. I have an excellent opertunity here to keep this plane all original as it is complete and just needs new covering. no mods have been accomplished in its lifetime. Sooooo please advise

[ROllerton]

Re: 1938 taylor young

I a in AZ this week and dont have my books or notes with me.
I think mine has always been blue, with a yellow stripe/z down the side. Even though its been recovered who knows how many times, there seems to be a lot of blue dope all over things.

I think you will find they did one or two standard colors; I have to guess it was black and blue. And sometimes silver wings, i think. I do know they were not opposed to making up any combination of colors the customer asked for.

Did you take a peek (!) at Chet's book to see what it says?

will be driving back to Houston thru Marfa and Alpine in about a week...

[Sloanlow]

Re: 1938 taylor young

Bob

I would like to meet with you but will not be here. The 38 is not here any way but will be in the near future. I wonder how out of order I would be if I painted it Red or UT Orange. Bob where do you call home?

Jim

[1938BF50]

Re: 1938 taylor young

Jim,

I too, am researching the original colors of my 1938 BF. Chet Peek has indicated that mine most likely left the factory with a "special" paint job as it also left with overstuffed leather upholstery and was delivered to Col. Roscoe Turner of Central Aeronautical Corp. at Indianapolis Municipal Airport in December of 1938.

It is ironic that you mention orange as just last nite I started stripping the jury struts and was surprised to see a basecoat of ORANGE over dark yellow primer. I have to believe this was original as it was below layers of dark red, dark blue, red and red again.

I have an original color chart from Berry Brothers dating to the late 1930's. This chart was included in a Thompson Aeronautical notebook that has likely never seen sunlight for more than an occasional glimpse at the chart. The orange on my plane closely resembles one called "CURTIS ROBIN ORANGE" in the chart. I spent most of last night thinking of paint schemes to include the orange struts. I had planned on silver wings/dark blue fuse....finding the orange has really thrown a wrench in my color choices .

[flylo]

Re: 1938 taylor young

My '38 B model is the same color now it was from the factory.Cream with red trim.I have some of the original fabric,seat material,headliner & wood(thanks to a forum member).Let me know if I can help. Eric

[Sloanlow]

Re: 1938 taylor young

I like the cream w/red, black, or dark metalic brown, i wonder what colors were avail in that scheme? I know what orange you guys are talking about because the last t-craft i stripped had that color just above the zinc.

If you are not interested in original, how about white w/ orange checks on the rudder and cowl?

Jim

[ROllerton]

Re: 1938 taylor young

jim/mike: love orange. Painted my pickup ford poppy red...

Jim: Patagonia, AZ about 25% of the time; SE Arizona north of Nogales south of Tucson. Make the crossing about 2 or 3 times a year to clear my head. Sometimes take the long way thru Marfa for the Dairy Queen, and Alpine to meet up with an old Work buddy that retired there. Other 75% of the time at Houston.

Mike; Roscoe Turner? Wow. You are one lucky dog! I feel a touch of envy.

Best to you all,

bob.

[VictorBravo]

Re: 1938 taylor young

Jim,

I too, am researching the original colors of my 1938 BF. Chet Peek has indicated that mine most likely left the factory with a "special" paint job as it also left with overstuffed leather upholstery and was delivered to Col. Roscoe Turner of Central Aeronautical Corp. ....

BTW Isn't there a picture in Chet Peek's book on Page 41 of Turner's Stinson tri-motor in front of a T-craft? Perhaps that's the same airplane as was delivered to Turner Flying Service??

Caution: off-topic -
I just bought a reproduction set of Roscoe Turner embroidered wings off ebay, there's a guy who makes them. Ebay item 130009129464 and titled 1930's Roscoe Turner Aviator Wings. They look great.

They'll be put on a cap or leather flying jacket of some sort. Yours truly will be honored to have the Patron Saint of Air Racing watching over me in the Taylorcraft.

I figure I have a little of Roscoe's air racing experience, and most of his BS ability, so perhaps he wouldn't mind me wearing a set of his wings No word yet on whether Smudge (see avatar) is willing to be carried in a sling in a race plane as a mascot...

Caution: further off-topic rant -
A reminder: NEVER let anyone forget the contributions that Roscoe, Wittman, Doolittle, Benny Howard, Jimmy Weddell and ALL the builders/flyers of early air racing made. Not only did they advance the art and science of aviation immeasurably, but they inspired the public to be interested in airplanes. The kids that watched the races with awe in 1936 built the Saturn moon rockets in 1966 and the shuttle in 1976. What is referred to as "the greatest generation" has Roscoe and the boys to thank for their inspiration. Take a look at the problems with NASA and USA aerospace in general nowdays, and you might draw a conclusion that the aerospace scientists (and the public) today didn't have anything like the Golden Age air racers to be in awe of when they were kids.