Number FIVE In the Hangar

[VictorBravo]

Thanks to the generosity of Bill Cheesman, a Taylorcraft owner in Southern California, and his willingness to accept a trade instead of cash, and his desire to see another sad Taylorcraft basket case rescued by a "Taylorcraft person"... I am now in possession of my fifth Taylorcraft.

This is a mostly complete 1946 basket case that is not damaged much. The rats in the storage container chewed up one of the spars to where it needs to be replaced. There is minor surface rust that appears to not be a problem, and the elevators and rudder need structural corrosion repair or replacement.

Special thanks to Forum Member Jim Meeker for putting me in touch with the owner. After a hopefully brief rebuild of a 1-26 glider, I'll be on to restoring this Taylorcraft possibly by Spring.

Bill Berle

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Bill,
It's OK man! You are with friends here. We understand the affliction. You see a hapless Taylorcraft and you just can't help yourself. You think, "So many Taylorcrafts and so little time!"

Oh the pain and sleepless nights...

"Hello. My name is Bill. I'm a Taylorcraft-aholic."

Congratulations on you newest project. We are looking forward to photos and narrative of your progress!!!

[mhorowit]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

you must have a very patient wife - Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Come on Bill, let us know what you traded! We all track what our babies are worth and this is just a different currency (that a lot more of us are using anymore). If your wife gives you any trouble, remember there is a good chance you are only storing it till it's true soul mate comes along and trades you something even better!
Hank

[Doc]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Congrats also! I soloed in a 1-26 in Charleston, IL as a CAP Cadet in 1966...it was a lot of fun. Between us, Mark and I counted up 5.5 airplanes scattered in three locations, 3.5 of them TCs (the 0.5 is our 1941 boneyard spares template without registration). We will be starting Mark's F19 restoration in the Spring along with a 7AC. Happy New Year!

[t-crafter]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Lets face it guys!! This is the taylorcraft addiction program. Overseen by father Forest!! Are we in good hands or what!!! Carlton

[VictorBravo]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Come on Bill, let us know what you traded!

I traded him a pretty rare piece of sports memorabilia, a gold plated VIP fountain pen engraved with the signatures of six 1960's LA Dodgers hall of famers. These were made as private gifts for high-end VIP friends of the team owner way back when... they were never made available to the public. I've had it in my family since 1966, and I was present when it was presented to our family by the Dodgers.

If I had taken it to a big sports collector auction I could have gotten some big money for it I guess, but several years ago I thought to trade it for an airplane at a time when I didn't have an airplane. So when Bill C said he'd just as soon trade instead of sell, I figured it would be worth trading this pen for something I could breathe some life back into and fly. The pen's new owner (Bill C's son) got something he really can cherish, it's really a valuable thing on several levels. Then again, I got something I value on several levels too

Now if anyone has a flawless P-38, FW-190, or ME-262 to trade, I happen to have the very first national Emmy award ever presented, back at the start of the Television era...

[VictorBravo]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

you must have a very patient wife - Mike

Patient she's not.... Savvy she is.

She's clever enough to know that when I have an airplane project, anytime I'm not in her direct line of sight she knows that I'm too busy, too broke, and too focused to be out at a strip joint or bird-dogging some other chickie in a bar. She knows she can find me in the hangar, covered in aircraft dirt, hands stained from something, disheveled and looking like a bum no girl in her right mind would look at twice

[VictorBravo]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Congrats also! I soloed in a 1-26 in Charleston, IL as a CAP Cadet in 1966...

Doc, I just happen to know a guy with a glider in San Antonio who wants to start a glider club. He bought a Scheibe Bergfalke 3 two seat classic, brought it back there, and the guys he thought would be interested in forming a club lost their interest when they saw it wasn't a fiberglass 50/1 sailplane.

Anyone who can appreciate a Taylorcraft can (thankfully) of course appreciate a 1-26, a Bergfake, etc. He bases the glider out at Hondo. (Hondo is a memorable place for me, I got stuck there at 800 feet for half an hour once in the 1986 soaring nationals, flying against Klaus Holighaus himself of all people !)

I would be glad to put you in touch with him, e-mail me at victorbravo (at} sbcglobal [dot) net . He's a close friend and would love to get in touch with other people interested in a low-cost / lo-tech soaring club.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Bill, I’m never sure when you are serious or joking! Of all people on the list you are one I wouldn’t put past having an engraved, gold plated, collector VIP fountain pen worth that kind of money (of course I am one of those guys with NO knowledge of sports involving balls and can’t understand why soaring, air racing and aerobatics can’t get accepted at the Olympics). The guys I work with would probably KILL for that pen (if you aren’t pulling my leg) but my loves would have me trading it for an airplane (ESPECIALLY a Taylorcraft) in a New York second! If this is for real I think you made the deal of the century (but I’m the WRONG person to estimate the value of sports memorabilia).
If you REALLY want a flawless P-38, FW-190, or ME-262, you may need a couple of those pens (entertainment people are stranger than us and would NEVER give up something like the very first national Emmy).
My wife would never think I was in a strip joint or bird-dogging women in a bar. I'm like you and the way I dress when I’m on one of my treks to the airport, even the fuel truck girl (the one with the great moustache) wouldn’t take a second look.
By the way, for other Taylorcraft guys who have looked at the 1-26, don’t miss checking out the Schleicher series of sailplanes like the KA-6E, KA-6CR (and if you want two seats), the AS-K 13. Performance like (or better than) a 1-26 in a hand crafted wood sailplane for a low price. They take more maintenance, but when you have done it all on a Taylorcraft, a Schleicher (or a 1-26 for that matter) isn’t an impossible job to keep in good, safe condition.
Hank

[VictorBravo]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Bill, I’m never sure when you are serious or joking!

Of all people on the list you are one I wouldn’t put past having an engraved, gold plated, collector VIP fountain pen worth that kind of money

(entertainment people are stranger than us and would NEVER give up something like the very first national Emmy).

By the way, for other Taylorcraft guys who have looked at the 1-26, don’t miss checking out the Schleicher series of sailplanes like the KA-6E, KA-6CR (and if you want two seats), the AS-K 13.

Hank

No Hank, I wasn't pulling your leg. The pen was in a drawer for a long time because I'm not a sports fan and it's been a long time since I saw MY balls much less anyone else's.

Entertainment people are stranger than everyone, and that's why I'm far happier being "us" instead of "them". I'd give that Emmy up in half a heartbeat for some desirable real estate or a super-desirable airplane.

And while you're checking out the Schleicher series, make sure to kiss an AS-W20 on its pointy little nose for me... nothing but good memories of that ship and the adventures of a lifetime!

[Rick Hadley]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

OMG, Bill! I just made the connection. That's amazing. I see a nice F7F being listed in Trade-a-Plane. Maybe you could make a deal for that!

[mhorowit]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

OMG, Bill! I just made the connection. That's amazing. I see a nice F7F being listed in Trade-a-Plane. Maybe you could make a deal for that!

[akjack]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Bill,

Congratulations on another project. It has found a great new home and I have no doubt that it will one day fly out of Whiteman with you at the controls. Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks.

akjack

[wingwalkers]

Re: Number FIVE In the Hangar

Bill, I have a BC 12-D 1946 A 65 8. I bought it two years ago from Bob and Jean West. I love the plane. In a few years I am thinking on recovering it. At this time I was considering going up some in horsepower. I was wondering which engine would require the least modification. C-90 or 0-200. Also I had a mag failure so I put a Slick upgrade kit in it. Both mags have gears and when we started it up I noticed what sounded like a gear whine that is more noticable at idle.

Thanks, Keith Walker wingwalkers@consolidated Member # 778