News from the Factory III

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: News from the Factory III

Tom,
How about cut and pasting your post to the new thread too so we can allow this one to stay on topic. I'm moving mine to the new thread now.
Thanks
Hank

[mohawktipi]

Re: News from the Factory III

I fly a L-2B so I like the tandem seating but a lot of people don't. Start simple. Wider cabin, spring steel gear, minimum 100 horsepower, 1320 Gross weight (to stay light sport) and Day VFR with options to upgrade. Maybe an all metal design with large skylight and rear windows.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: News from the Factory III

A clean sheet Taylorcraft is a dream for a lot of us. Never going to happen without a market and right now there isn't enough market to support what is already out there flying already.
What would be fun is to design a home-built incorporating all the great ideas for what would have been in a Taylorcraft by now if it (the company) had been run right since the 40's
Basic airframe with an ~100HP up front (options for more), slightly wider cockpit with a 2" lower seat that's adjustable fore and aft (I'm 6'3" and 220# and you CAN fit comfortably in the cockpit! Not with TWO 200#+ though.) The door needs to be redesigned to ease entry and exit. It needs a skylight. We need to get rid of the bungees. Need to move the fuel to the wings and add a starter. How about a light weight glass cockpit (I don't want one, and I helped develop it, but some might).
For me the stuff I DON'T want are IFR capability, the glass cockpit, metal spars (just kind of like them trees, never seen one with a fatigue crack). I LIKE the pre-war flip up windows. Much nicer than the post was sliders. It doesn't NEED stronger brakes, but it could use smoother, easier to rig brakes.
Hank

Any other suggestions from the tribe? Probably should move this to another thread.

[jim cooper]

Re: News from the Factory III

I think Clipwing T has it nailed. Remember some years back? someone with big bucks tried,after buying piper to build super cubs. I THINK he was president of remington razor company. Anyway he went t---s up in no time. Yet Maule, a family type small company bops on! The T craft IS a great little airplane but it should have shed the bar across the seat A LONG time ago, bigger glass area incl skylite option and room for someone over 5 ft 11in. I'm 6' 1" and its a circus act getting in and flying it. While I like it alot I do wish it had a modern 0200. These old 65's, 75's, etc are from high button shoe days. Its a great design and updated I think it would have been a SELLER! I feel lucky to be flying at 73 and lucky to have found another T-craft in nice shape. .....P.S. and how about rudder pedals on the right side on ALL built?! would not have cost that much! Emotion over intellect is a bad formula, rarely works. Your thoughts? JC

[Jim Herpst]

Re: News from the Factory III

Bill, Thanks for the update on my old gal (NC94984). Glad to hear you are taking care of her and enjoying her. Shes a good straight one with A LOT of NOS parts on her when she was re-built(like the fuselage aft of the cabin just for starters). Take her up to OSH and see if you can get an award if thats your thing. I got a cover spread on Vintage Aircraft on the May 2001 edition followed by a nice article from within... if the old metal fairing is still on the wing to fuselage thats one of the few flaws in her. Get with Tom ? Baker out your way he.... patiently explaind the proper way to multi piece this part while I had her down at Sun N Fun in 2000. Get her out often she shows the brand well... that was one of my orginal goals in purchasing her in the first place. Best JIM

[Bill Asbell]

Re: News from the Factory III

I purchased NC94984 last March 2009. I can assure you it is being well traken care of. I rcvd it in a great condition and I will keep it that way.Jan 2010 was spent in an unheated hangar cleaning , annualling and polishing. IT -SHINES !!!
Bill Asbell LWV

[VictorBravo]

Re: News from the Factory III

Let's not judge their future by anything that Harry may have done in the past.

"Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it..."

Sal Occhipinti,
my 8th grade History teacher quoting
some historical figure, with a particularly
pointed double-entendre related to
passing the final exam in his class


"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme"

Mark Twain

Who am I to argue with two great men such as this?

[hangarb7]

Re: News from the Factory III

And I have to say that if Harry is involved in any way (and they say he is) then I am still skeptical. Why would he be there if he were not at least in charge of something? I admit that Diana was very nice to me even if some of the information was less than accurate that she passed on to me.

Yet, I don't need anything currently and want to hear more good (and/or bad) reports from the factory. I click on this subject everytime I see it.

Regards,

Jack Dernorsek
N44057

[Ed O'Brien]

Re: News from the Factory III

Tribe;
While I agree with Mr. Butler (see his previous message in this thread) I'd like to point out that it was likely Mr. Garrick's legal action which then caused to reformation of the factory from building of planes to manufacturing and distribution of parts. So in this market driven, competetive
world and case in particular -- both gentlemen who have different agendas, different thoughts, different ideas -- can both be spot-on right and well served by speaking their minds.
With regards; ED OBRIEN

[tabranch]

Re: News from the Factory III

The factory is now selling parts. These parts are mostly NOS and we should be glad that they are in business. Let's not judge their future by anything that Harry may have done in the past.

[Tom Garrick]

Re: News from the Factory III

When I had my airplane picked up from the factory, Harry had disposed with many of my parts that were in perfect condition and were very valuable. I am still trying to find replacement parts so that I can put my bird back together. I have many parts that he took off of someone elses airplane. I have a set of wheels and tires that I would like to get back to their rightful owner. If they are yours all you have to do is identify them. Let me know if you got your airplane back from the factory without wheels. As for buying parts from Harry my father tought me that buying stolen parts is just as immoral as stealing them.
Tom Garrick

[astjp2]

Re: News from the Factory III

I think that he sold the company to whoever is in Florida. He offered to sell me the company a few years ago but I am not good at customer service. Tim

[N96337]

Re: News from the Factory III

I've known Ernie Heald for years, from when he used to live in WA. Seemed like a pretty straight shooter from what little I've been around him.
JH

[Ragwing nut]

Re: News from the Factory III

Found an interesting ad on Barnstormers. This company, D&E Aircraft, is advertising a "Brand New Factory Built" F22 Fuselage and a "Factory Built" brand new BC12 KIT.
Wonder how they came across these items?
Here's their website: D&E Aircraft

V

D&E is now a major share holder of Taylorcraft. I brought it up in another thread several weeks ago

Mike

[robbie]

Re: News from the Factory III

They were at Eaa 2006 with the F22 fuselage and they had wings.
At that time they said they wanted to make a bc12 kit.
The wings were not org. and If I remember correctly, they had metal spars.