Firewall differences

[baldeagle27]

Looking at photos it looks like the open cowl airplanes have firewalls with vertical sides, while the closed cowl T-crafts have firewalls that are wider at the top than at the bottom. Is this correct?

[Tom Baker]

firewall

yes andrew the open cowl is differnt than the closed cowl. you are corect. the prewar tcraft did not have a wing tank it had 6 gal. tank under the bag that is behind the seat the b model were 13 rib wings the b model starting in 1941 1200# lb. gross had 15 ribs and 1 wing tank tom baker bc 12 65 nc 29654

[baldeagle27]

Thanks Tom. My airplane was converted in the late 1940s from an open cowl BL-65 to a closed cowl BC-65, and a few years from now when I re-do it I'd like to make it an open cowl BC-65, so I'm starting to collect parts and info. Does anybody have a pattern for the open cowl style firewall that I could copy? How about the prewar instrument panels, are they available, or a pattern? Mine was replaced sometime by a flat piece of plywood. I found and bought one of the 3-in-1 tachometers, it was missing the temp gauge but I found one at the Hershey antique car meet that fit perfectly.

Also, any source for the turn fasteners that hold the open cowl on?

[Howard Wilson]

firewall/bootcowl pattern and wing tanks

Andrew,
You are welcome to take a pattern from my 39BL (20442) open-style fire wall. If it's not too difficult to get around the mounts and cables, since the engine is mounted. It also has a right wing tank. Haven't counted the ribs. Looks like I'm just up North of the ADIZ from you near Frederick MD.
Also have 23858 in the barn in pieces. It started out as an open cowling Lyc. then was subsequently converted to a pressure cowl Lyc., then a pressure cowl Cont. Just got back from New England Saturday picking up parts for an open cowl for it. The fellow up there said he had a source for new/ old style instrument panels @ $150 ea. The one he showed to me was very nice. He could also have a firewall for sale but it would need new sheet metal for the cowl part. Another source for instrument panels is the guy I bought my BL from up in ND. He's an AI that does metal work for a living. Check out the pic on Capt. Jon's sight, under 20442. He said he would do more. Let me know if you are interested. Howard Wilson

[baldeagle27]

Thanks Howard, I'll have to come up there with some pencils and posterboard one of these days. Are you at Frederick Airport or another one? My airplane is actually based at Jan Scott's private strip in Lovettsville, not far from Frederick. It's sitting there now on its skis, having worked the usual trick, put the skis on and the snow goes away.

Do you ever get up to the Golden Age Air Museum in Bethel, PA? It's about 40 miles east of Harrisburg, www.goldenageair.org . I keep a 1930 Fleet 7 up there, and usually have my Taylorcraft there for the monthly events. In August we do an airshow and I do a deadstick aerobatic act in the Taylorcraft.

Would you send me your contact info via e-mail? Mine is [email protected].

Andrew

[Forrest Barber]

Hi Andrew , most all of that stuff is in my barn check it out next time you stop by e-mail me directly with requests. I too have skis & no snow; at least Frankie kept his skis off this year!

[baldeagle27]

Forrest,
Got a 6 gallon wing tank in the barn?? Is it true that the L-2 cowl (or at least nosebowl) is the same as the BC open cowl?

Andrew

[flyer1]

wing tank

I have a new right hand wing tank. I gave 400 for it. I would like to get that for it.

Mike
N23880

[baldeagle27]

Thanks Mike, I found one closer to me. Is N23880 flying? Without checking the registry that's the closest one to mine that I've heard of.

[flyer1]

N23880 was flying up to last May. Took It down to do the Harer STC. Can't wait to get her back up. Maybe, the first of the year???

Mike
N23880

[baldeagle27]

What's the Harer STC?

[Dick Smith]

Harer STC

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The Harer STC (convert BC-12D to BC12D85, BC12D-4-85 or Model 19)

Consists of a total of 30+ drawings (B, C, and D size) and several sheets of documentation. There are
varying mods that need to be made depending on what model you start from including wing spar, spar fittings, fuselage wing fittings, boxed in baggage compartment, installation of electrical system (AF & engine), fuel system (24 gallons) & associated plumbing, longer engine mount (-4-85/model 19), exhaust system, and the longer cowling (-4-85/model 19).

No hardware is supplied with the STC so you have to buy or manufacture the required parts. A few of the parts are readily available such as the model 19 engine mount from Univair.

Charles R. Harer
105 Valley View Drive
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
(570)398-1364