Difference in Fuselage

[N95051]

Is there any diffence in the BL, BF, and BC fuselage?

Thanks for any info.

Bill

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Yes and no. All the B"x"-65 are the same, and the B"x"-12-65 are all the same but different from each other. One is a standard model with the flying trim tab, and half moon panel, the other is the DeLuxe, with postwar style trim system, and postwar style panel and other minor differences

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Thanks for the reply Ragwing,

My t-craft was originaly a BC-12D with a C-65. Then is the sixties or seventies they switch to C-85 with the long mount and the engine cowl is a few inches wider then the boot cowl. Looking at a couple other t-carts in the area with C-85's it looks like they widened the fuselage starting at the door forward to the firewall with some small tubing.

Was that mod done at the factory or just skipped when they switched engines?

Thanks again.

Bill

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

bc-12d is a postwar model and all those fuselages are the same. There should be nothing needed to widen the cowling. Sounds like some field modification, definitely not factory. Can you take a pic of you boot cowl and cowling?

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Here are some pictures of how mine is set up.

Thanks for any insight.

Bill

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

I should clearify that on the other C-85 carts here the fuselage itslef is not widen but furred out with wood or tubing.

Bill

[Robert Lees]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Bill, to me, that looks like a post-war cowl fitted to a very pre-war firewall.

What's your serial number...you originally said BC12D...certainly doesn't look like it? I think Mike Jones has a similar cowl setup, and his is a 1939.

Originally it would have had an open cowl (with eyebrows)?

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

The serial # 9451. All the records and logs say BC-12D. My mechanic thinks that the fuselage was switched out at some point. The tail is post war with the 2 hinge tail feathers.

Bill

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

looks like a prewar open style boot cowl with a closed cowl modified to fit. Definite not a factory combination

serial number is late '46. What panel does it have? What trim tab does it have? How many ribs in the wings? 13 or 15? stamped or built up style ribs?

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

It has the panel with the big hole for the RPM gauge, the trim tab is on the elevator, and has 15 rib wings with stamped ribs.

In the early 60's the airplane was wrecked. The guy stalled low level (and lived) while hunting. So I think if I have a pre war fuselage here that is when it was switched.

Thanks for all the info Ragwing.

Bill

[VictorBravo]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

I'm willing to bet that the engine cools better and runs at lower temps (oil, CHT) than a stock correctly matched Taylorcraft!

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

It's hard to see in the pictures but that big gap there is filled in.

The engine runs between 180-200 in the summer.

Bill

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Are there any other clues to look for to tell what fuselage I have?

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Yep , check the ser# on the fuselage; however they are basically all the same. You have a pre-war boot cowl and a homemade engine cowling. If it flys good go for it!!

[N95051]

Re: Difference in Fuselage

Forrest, is the serial number you are talking about on the data plate inside on the floor boards? That one says its a BC-12D serial number 9451.

Thanks again for any help!
By the way I just mailed my membership application and 20 bucks yesterday.

Bill