Add Wing Tanks

[DannyDot]

I am looking for a good T-craft with wing tanks. I found a good one in Trade-a-Plane, but no wing tanks. Is adding the tanks that hard/expensive? I am thinking this is the kind of work that should be done during a recover operation and not something that should be done to a freshly covered plane.

Also, this plane is a 1940 BC-65. Any problems with this model compared to the post war T-crafts?

Danny Deger

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Danny,
The wings would have to have the covering taken off to put in new tanks. As for the difference between pre and post war, I hear that the pre-war birds have a bit more rudder surface, hence more rudder authority. I'm not sure, I've only flown my 1940 BC65. Brie

[crispy critter]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Most(not all) pre-war birds are a little lighter but the gross weight is also a little lower and I have never been able to tell any difference in rudder authority. It is true the pre-war has a deeper rudder(longer front to rear) but the post war rudder is taller. I'm pretty sure the surface area is the same....someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Acroeric]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

I would not hesitate to get the little Tcraft you mention in trade a plane even without the wing tanks. The pre war Taylorcrafts really do well when kept light. 12 gallons gives you almost 3 hours range. . . . . .my bladder has somewhat less.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

LOL! Ditto for me, I am with Eric on this one.

[stormman]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Im betting because Dan is out there in Texas and flys way out in cactus country chasing song dogs he want the reserve fuel.

[ROllerton]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Out here we keep the Right tank filled with Shiner Bock before taking off on a cactus mission.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Remember one thing !!!

The pre-WW2 Taylorcraft had an option of a rear fuselage tank, which gives the same extra fuel as a wing tank, but is much easier to install I think. It will require alomost no fabric work at all. I do not remember how my first 1940 BC aux fuselage tank was mounted, but I strongly believe that you could mount it safely using proper airframe tube clamps instead of welding tabs on the tubes (if there were extra tabs welded)

The tank is roughly cylindrical and mounts behind the seat under the baggage sack. Would require about a three inch hole in the port side fuselage fabric and a leather patch around the hole. There is an old fashioned "wobble pump" that transfers the fuel into the main tank that would have to be rigged up.

So the first thing you should do is call someone who has the drawings or knowledge of the rear fuselage tank (Forrest ?? Tom Baker???) and see what would be required to install one. If it is do-able then BUY the airplane. The pre-war's are neat airplanes, they are a little lighter and kinda cool. No major problems and no really big differences between them and the post-war's. I'll talk to you privately about the trim tab issue

THEN you'd actually have to find the fuselage tank or build an owner produced part. Should be easier than an owner produced wing tank IMHO.

Bill

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

You can install wing tanks by only removing the first bay of fabric. It is a pain in the a$$ to do but I have done it. Complete tank setups if you can find them with cost around $500 pers side plus installation unless you come up with a good deal somewhere. Also you would need to make sure the fuselage tank has a bung to even accept wing tanks or you will be removing it to add the bung. The prewar vertical is shorter with a deeper rudder. Having flown both, I have not noticed a real difference.

The other BIG difference between the two is the trim system unless it id a DeLuxe. The flying tab setup on the prewars are less than desireable. No real problems other than mentioned above.

Mike

[DannyDot]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

I do need the longer range to comfortably get from Houston to Dallas routinely. I live in Houston and my dad lives in the Dallas area. 12 gallons barely gets me there, and I do like a big reserve. Sometimes the weather is worse than expected and it is nice to be able to have lots of gas to get to better weather.

Danny Deger

[flybikefarm]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Which airport do you fly out of? I get to houston often, and have friends in the aircraft industry there. I keep my Harley up in New Waverly in the winter, fly back and forth from Illinois to ride.

[DannyDot]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

I haven't flown in a while, but when I did and when I do in the future it is Clover Field South East of Houston. This is a very nice uncontrolled field. I understand they have ruined the field by closing the grass strips. I love to land tail draggers on grass strips!!! To me this is about is as good as it gets. I love the way an old tail draggers rumbles as soon as the mains touch the grass. I also think it is less likely to ground loop on grass than on a hard surface.

Danny Deger

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Just catching up after two weeks of Hell! I have a fusealge tank that I could part with. There is an easier way! Do you make the trip solo? Call me at 330 823-1168 Tues, Wed afternoon.. or cell 330 495 5447 OR e-mail direct to [email protected]

[Pearson]

Re: Add Wing Tanks

Danny,

I agree with Mike about just replacing the fabric over the first bay, where the tanks go. I am working on a field approval for replacing the fabric over tanks with aluminum, but I don't think that will work with the prewar type ribs. But you could certainly just replace the section over the tanks and just put some 2" tape over the first rib where the new fabric meets the old. Or you could just wait and find a plane with at least one wing tank.

I got my instrument rating out of Clover Field. That was back in the day when the Tora, Tora, Tora birds were sitting out there all lined up in a row. Took my ATP with Maybel Fletcher at Hobby. Ah the good old days. I remember walking into the GADO there at the base of the tower when I needed something from the FAA. Now the FSDO at Portland will only see you with an appointment, and that will be on a Tuesday or Thursday only.