Taylorcraft Pusher

[Tcraft Classics]

I was breezing through my old Sport Aviation Mags once, and found an article on Pusher-type bird that I thought C.G. was working on in the 80's. (maybe???) Is my computer (i.e., brain) remembering a Molt Taylor design?????

I can't find the article now!! It was a pretty plane.

Anyone have any more info on this 'craft???

[David Price]

Chris,
I do believe that it was Molt Taylor, of the Aero-car. Molt also was working on the Coot., a pusher amphib. Then shortly their after was working on the IMP.
One day back in 1973-'74 while talking with Molt about a design that a friend and I we working on, I noticed an apple crate turned on end with two stringers suspended around the crate and bent to a tapered form, end to end. Ask
Molt, what is this? Then he said; David, your about the right size. Gently step over the stringers and sit on the box, and sit up straight! ( Molt was know to be kind of ...well,set in his ways let just say). After a short moment he ask, what do you think? ( as if I could see what he did). "What is this Molt," I ask again. Then the big, white haired man smiled, as he rocked back and forth on his toes and heels, said; It's the MINI IMP. Well I was very warm in side when Molt added, and your the first to sit in it.
This may be what you are thinking of.
I'm sure that Forrest and others will know.
Hope you dont mind, but your question brought back memories of another great man.

[Tcraft Classics]

David,

'Don't mind at all. I love stories like this - they are what aviation history is made of. They should be shared, and right here is a great place for that.

I really liked Molt's designs - especially the Coot - one of my all time favorites.

But I think I found what I was looking for in Aero Files.

Taylor Aero Industries, Westminster CA. Formed c.1980 by Clarence Gilbert Taylor and son Bruce to manufacture kits for Bird two-seaters

Taylor Bird (N303TB] (VULA)

Bird c.1980 = 2pCmwM; 75hp Subaru pusher (converted auto engine); span: 26'0" length: 18'0" load: 600# v: 115/105/45 range: 420. Single tail boom with T-tail. An update of original Bird that appeared at Oshkosh in 1976

Here's a pic:

[flylo]

There are still a few Taylorbirds around.I had a project one last year n4831n.A company in N or S Carolina has it now & talked about producing kits.It was unique the way the cockpit slid forward to allow entry.The wings turned & folded flat along the sides for hauling.There was a nice one at Oshkosh in 2000 at the Taylorcraft exibit.It is quite a departure from other Taylorcrafts.

[Forrest Barber]

Taylorbird

The Taylorbird (proto-type) last design of C.G. is till around. I owned N304??TB for a while will post picture when I find it. Won a big award at OSH maybe 76-77. I would be real interested in the NC company that was going to do kits.....they have some stuff we need back here in Ohio..... thanks Forrest

[David Price]

Thanks for the right info from all. The Taylorbird does seem to resemble the Coot. A question in my mind, still makes me wonder if C.G. and Molt, may have been somewhat related.

The ole log book shows 138 hrs. of pleasure since mid May/2003,
in N96045.
Even took on Cougar Flat yesterday. had to get out and back her all the way back to the road at the end to get her up and thru the trees. It's an ultra light field. Short, narrow,
power lines trees.

[taylorcraftbc65]

C.G.s Pusher

It never ceases to amaze me all the neat stuff I can learn here,
even if all I'm doing is relaxing, and browsing the posts. I first
learned of the Imp while I was taking a break from welding on the fuselage of a Cassutt that I was building in the EAA hanger at
Gilbert Field, in Winter Haven, Florida.
We had a five drawer filing cabinet that held educational circulars
on different building methods, as well as photo spec sheets of different designs.
Anyway, I was taking a break from welding, and pulled out the
spec sheets on metal airplanes. ( I have always wanted to build one, and still haven't gotten around to it ). I saw the Imp,
and fell in love. Being a realist, I knew there far too many
compound curves for me to try that one for my first, perhaps
a Whittman Tailwind. But I still love the plane, it is one
beautiful bird.
So what is C.G.s pusher mabe of? Wood, composite, Both?
This forum is a hoot.
Sabrina