New Project Update

[freightpilot27]

My recently purchased BL-65 project has some issues...........
The data plate that came with a bill of sale says 1941 BL-65, s/n 3057. I have recently learned that the S/N of the fuselage can be found on the door hinge. (s/n 6935, BC-12D) the FAA has no registry listing of this s/n.

What are my options?
A nightmare of FAA 337's and paperwork converting it to a BC12D, including a type certificate change?
Or what is the possibility of obtaining a new data plate for the later serial number? What about bill of sale and obtaining an airworthiness?


(Yes, I feel like an idiot!)
Thanks,

[fearofpavement]

Re: New Project Update

Did you get any logbooks? Any other data showing the serial number of the plane? Regarding the serial number on the fuselage, I don't know that a different number there is cause for alarm, if you have a data tag that is valid go with that. The fuselage or parts of it may have been changed sometime in the last half a century. Does the aircraft conform to the prewar configuration or does it appear to be a BC12-D? For instance, most of the prewars had the little trim wing thing under the tail instead of a trim tab in the elevator. Do you have that? What engine do you have? The BL65 had the Lycoming engine that has the cylinders as part of the case and bolt on heads. Do you have that? Are your doors metal? wood? Tell you what, Forrest has a lot of resources (both in his head and on paper) to sort out these Frankenstein aircraft and a call to him may get you a long way towards sleeping through the night.

[freightpilot27]

Re: New Project Update

The airframe is all BC-12D except for the HS & elevators- 3hinge, with an elevator trim tab. and horizontal HS mounting bolt holes (Fuse has vertical).

I have 3 metal doors, one left side has the same s/n stamp as the fuse.- fits the best, but all seem to, more or less.

Wings are 15 rib, stamped, wood spar, appear to be wired for a leading edge landing light as well as nav's. Is the s/n stamped on the wing anywhere?

It came with a bunch of A-65 parts, though, most are possibly unusable. (I knew this) Crank and cam are going out for a check. I was planning an engine upgrade, C-85 or O-200 possibly anyway.

Anyone have a BC-12D Data plate for sale? How about a severely damaged project with a data plate? No logs ok.

Thanks,

[crispy critter]

Re: New Project Update

Bob,
I think I can help you out...or maybe we can help each other out.Call me or send me an email.(606)434-4065

[astjp2]

Re: New Project Update

Contact Forrest with the airframe s/n's, he can tell you what you have, and for a data plate, just order one from him. The wing s/n's were a data tag nailed to the front spar for the prewar wings, I had an original 1941 front spar in my airplane, the root was dry rotted so I changed it and never replaced the data plate, you will not find a data plate on most wings that have had the spars replace. Tim

[3Dreaming]

Re: New Project Update

This sounds like a good start for an experimental clip wing. Tom

[Forrest Barber]

Re: New Project Update

THAT freightdog and I are in contact. The DHL pilot here at 2D1 , Mark Esposito just built up a nice 85 hp J-3 in my #2 hanger and I did the 07 Annual. neat ship , lots of new parts!