Glove box

[mulwyk]

I'm back from summer break (sailing, painting, local politics!) and find the first item on my T-Craft to do list is glove boxes and glove box doors.

For some reason, my project BC12-D is missing both glove box boxes and glove box doors. My intention is to make both from scratch. My objective with this project is to produce an original but practical flying '46 T-craft...with practical given slight preference over original.

Any suggestions T-Crafter folks? Size? Material? (aluminum? cardboard? plywood?) Locks? Springs? Hidden electrical gear?

Bob Gustafson

[cpirrmann]

Re: Glove box

My glove boxes are gone. The left one has a plate over it with my tach in it. I have a gyro turn and bank where I believe the tach used to be. The right glove box has a panel with a large hole in it that may have housed a directional gyro as I have a large enough horn to power 2 instruments. I plan on putting an electrical panel there to switch on my lights, plug in my radio, etc. Which reminds me... I need to do another post.

[mulwyk]

Re: Glove box

Which makes me wonder why so many T-Craft are missing the glove boxes or at least missing the glove box doors. Is there a problem with the design? Do they break or fall off or something?

My project came with both glove boxes missing and the doors replaced with real-ugly plywood plates.

If I'm going to fabricate new ones I want to be sure that I correct any design flaws that caused the originals to be ripped out and throw away.

Bob

[dedrekon]

Re: Glove box

The glove box doors on the Taylorcraft are really very functional. I have one in my flying T, with a T&B where the left hand glove box was.
I aslo have a couple of loose glove box doors and an original glove box that I'll be using in my project plane. The biggest problem with the box is it's too short for a modern sectional, so an "owner produced part" is probably the ticket there. There's plenty of room.
If you need pics or measurements, just let me know.


Vincent

[cpirrmann]

Re: Glove box

Hi Vincent,
That info would be most grand if you could post it please. Also, what was the original material? Was it a hard felt? And the doors were aluminum unless I'm mistaken, then what about the hinges, latches, or jambs if any?

[dedrekon]

Re: Glove box

I'll shoot some pictures for you....it may take a little while to get to the box, I think there's a wing in front of that shelf.

The box I have is a kind of fiberboard. I've seen some that were aluminum, but I always assumed they were owner produced.

There are no latches....the doors are held in place by the spring on the hinge. I'll dig 'em out and shoot pics of them too.


V

[cpirrmann]

Re: Glove box

Gratias ago!

[Winston L.]

Re: Glove box

The glove boxes in stock at the factory were made of a black textured upholstery plastic. I beleive the plastic replaced the old upholstery cardboard. I think they were stapled together if I remember correctly.

[Guest]

Re: Glove box

I have seen both the black cardboard or upholstery board if you will and aluminum.

My '46 bc12d had the cardboard box and an a later plane (f19/f21) had aluminum boxes.

I believe both are factory parts.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Glove box

My 45 had the remains of the cardboard ones in it and a fellow in VA loaned me a beat up old one to make a patern (wish I knew where it was). I made new ones from the cardboard material they call "Hat Shelf Board" used for antique cars. It is cardboard taht has a leather pattern pressed into it. The same stuff was supposed to be used to make the glareshields originally.
One minor problem. The stuff IS NOT waterproof. Not even CLOSE! It stains, blisters up and falls apart indoors on a rainy day. Seems like that happened to my dads old Oldsmobile when the rear window started leaking too.
By the way, I also made one to extended the box deeper so it could actually hold things and you will need to put a little "bump" or "box" into the corner to clear a tube. If you don't the inner lower corner will catch the chain sprocket when you push the wheel full forward. If you yank back on the wheel you can crush the box and keep control but it ISN'T recommended! Who was it that said the FAA was too tight on mods to old planes? Ammazing how something can sneek up and bite you. Glad it didn't happen while I was flying!!!!
Hank

[rdwater]

Re: Glove box

My '46 had an aluminum door (black crinkle paint) on the right side and no box behind it. Its spring loaded, which keeps the door closed. I made a box out of scrap aluminum long enough for a sectional. It works great. I had to trim/file a little of the al on the upper outside so that it wouldn't interfere with the boot cowl. Bob

[Armstrong]

Re: Glove box

My 46 has both boxes and they are gray cardboard and sort of taper to the back( 4.5"H by 6"W by7.5 D) .The doors are stamped alum(5"by7") with a small spring loaded piano hinge and a 3" long white plastic handle.I will take one out and get some pictures and measurments.

[Joel Severinghaus]

Re: Glove box

I'm also looking for original handles for my '46 BC12-D's gloveboxes. Does anyone know if those would have been plastic or chrome? (See attached photos.)

If someone would be willing to loan me an original plastic handle for a few weeks, I'll investigate getting copies custom-molded.

[Guest]

Re: Glove box

I'm also looking for original handles for my '46 BC12-D's gloveboxes. Does anyone know if those would have been plastic or chrome? (See attached photos.)

If someone would be willing to loan me an original plastic handle for a few weeks, I'll investigate getting copies custom-molded.

Joel, I have never seen the chrome kind before. I have only seen the white one. I believe that is original and plastic. Dave.

[lawheelock]

Re: Glove box

Most likely the main reason that glove boxes are missing is that many former owners removed them so they could install radios and/or instruments that were too deep for the limited space between the panel and the fuel tank. I know that I removed my glove boxes on my BC12D back in the 60s and installed an AN Directional gyro on the right side and a Narco Superhomer in the left side. I had a wind generator, Ward Aero, and a light 12V battery in a box on the floor in front of the pilot seat, that worked very well to power the Superhomer and the position lights and a few instrument lights for night flying and control tower communications. .