New here and have questions

[Paul Hester]

Re: New here and have questions

Called South Charleston and no luck finding Mr Snodgrass.

But the lady at city hall there gave me the phone number to the Malory airport.

Maybe one step closer,

Talked to an old guy, ok let me restate that, a guy who had been around the airport a while and told him what I was looking for. He said he was part owner in an old Tcraft that was setting in a hanger untouched for 20 years. He could not tell me the N number on it or the SN off the top of his head but he has all the books and paperwork at home and he told me he would check it for me and call me back.

I asked him the condition and he said it was fine when it was first hangered, the engine has not been turned over in 20 years and it has broken bungees on one side, other than that he thought it was dirty and dusty from setting so long.

I then asked about the island airport south or there on the river and he said there was two airstrips south right on the river. So if this one is not it, I will check further.

[crispy critter]

Re: New here and have questions

What was the guys name that you talked to? Was it Ben Malory? The taylorcraft he might be talking about is a pre-war I think.....if it's the one I'm thinking of. 17 years ago I looked at one that had been setting for about 7 or 8 years at that time. I think it was blue or green with some type of white strip. Looked like a very nice old bird but my dad talked me out of buying it because it had been setting for so long and he thought we could find something better for my first airplane purchace for the same or less money. They wanted $6500 for it back then which was a good price but dad was affraid it was going to need a complete fuel system rebuild and then maybe a top overhaul because it had been setting for so long but wouldn't know until we tried to get it running. He then advised me that there were flying t-crafts,champs,& luscombes out there in nice annualled flying condition for the same or very little more money,he was right.......wish we could find those deals now days.

[Paul Hester]

Re: New here and have questions

It was not Ben but someone that owns part of it.

It is almost beginning to sound like not the one but he did say it is a 46 BC12D

I guess I will find out when he calls back.

I figure even if i found it , it would be a two year prodject knowing the way my wife controls the money

[crispy critter]

Re: New here and have questions

Let me know when he calls back and I can go take a look for you if you want me too.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: New here and have questions

Forrest Barber here , that old retired cop that gives dual in a BC12D , I will check back into this thread and see what happens. Drop by Alliance ( 2D1)some time and we go flying.... www.barberaircraft.com I have been away again , got a nice Award up here from the ECOPA see www.ecopa.cc e-mail me direct any time. Welcome aboard , as you can see we have a great group going here ( The Taylorcraft "Tribe" )

Grand daughter is 10 yrs old and we are heading out for a celebration.

[1938BF50]

Re: New here and have questions

Paul,

If you actually find your Dad's plane and have the opportunity to purchase it, I would suggest grabbing it at whatever concession. One of your kids may develop an urge to fly (you have it too or you would not be on this forum and looking) and you will regret the hell out not buying it when you had the chance. When I finally find my Grandfathers Widgeon and sit in it.....even as a corroded, stripped, twisted hull in a boneyard, if that's where I find it, I can tell you right now I will likely cry like a baby as 30+ years of (I wish I had only) emotions surface. I have been looking for nearly 25 years for this Widgeon and have "come close" many times.

I hope you are indeed lucky enough to actually find your fathers Taylorcraft. If so, consider it destiny.

[Paul Hester]

Re: New here and have questions

Well guys, Thanks for all the help but the search is over.

Spoke to Ben Malory today, He told me that about 40 yreas ago he was part owner in my dad's old TCraft with RC Snodgrass. Mr Snodgrass was killed in a plane crash in South Carolina in Ben's plane. The TCraft sat unwanted for a while and to the best of Ben's recolection it was parted out. He did not remember ever restoring it. I am just 40 years too late .

Yea Dad's Tcraft is still out there but in several other planes.

Again thanks for all the help, and letting me relive some memories.

Paul

[crispy critter]

Re: New here and have questions

So keep reliving them,if you run out of memorys to relive then start creating some new ones of your own.So that t-craft is gone or at least scattered....what about one of those other two?

[Paul Hester]

Re: New here and have questions

What other two?

I know of one setting down there at Charleston that I never even asked if it was for sale.

I have been looking at Barnstormers or others sites, I wounder how hard wing spars are to replace?

If my wife would even let me I would have to buy a project plane and do a little at a time.

I can do mechanical work that is no problem from diesel engines to fabrication (where is my AP study guide) I had one once but have forgot alot. Avionics I still remember to an extent.

It would be a new learning process to recover and all.

That is why I never blinked over the one not being turned over in 40 years Engines are no sweat as far as rebuilding as long as the aluminum is not frozen together.

[crispy critter]

Re: New here and have questions

Digging through stuff today I found Dad's Pilot Flight Record and Log Book type ap-3.
Indentification page entry Certificate issued Student 9 Jan 1947

First entries for 30 min flights in a taylorcraft N44132 dual instruction Jan 1947
Then in Feb 1947 in Taylorcraft N36012

Check out flight in Taylorcraft N43262 on April16 1947 must be when he bought her.

The last entry,
13 Aug 1960 From Bainbridge, Ohio to Russell, Kentucky -tcraft - N43262 -Cont - 65 - 45 minute flight Remarks are; Ferry flight to deliver aircraft.

So my memory is not as good as the log book shows.

Paul,
I was talking about the other two numbers listed here in your fathers log books. Or if any good project will do I have two I will sell...come take your pick.

[dalijohn]

Re: New here and have questions

Richard,

according to this quoted post above the N numbers and serials were sequential at some point in time since I came up with the same number.

Also, you got my SN wrong. I am 6781 with 43122 tail number. Doing the math I come up with yours being 7040. You say it's 7004. According to the registration records online you ARE 7040. So.... the N numbers and serials are in fact sequential.

Hope this helps shed some light.

FAA registry show N43261 is s/n 6920 which should have made your fathers s/n 6921 as suggested. Typically, even today the aircaft manufactures obtain a block of N#'s from the FAA and assign them as the planes roll down the assembly lines. Unless the customer request a special tail number or the plane is delivered to a overseas customer, they are sequential. You are on the right track.

DJ

[btbell]

Re: New here and have questions

FAA registry show N43261 is s/n 6920 which should have made your fathers s/n 6921 as suggested. Typically, even today the aircaft manufactures obtain a block of N#'s from the FAA and assign them as the planes roll down the assembly lines. Unless the customer request a special tail number or the plane is delivered to a overseas customer, they are sequential. You are on the right track.

DJ

We owned 43255 s/n 6914......works with the above explaniaton.

Brian