Strange Bird Observed...

[Dick Smith]

Tribe, I saw this plane for the first time today, at the Soldotna, Alaska airport...anyone know anything about it? I don't recall ever seeing a trigear Taylorcraft up here. Dick

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

There were a few built but not very many as with any of the F-21/22 series

[LostnSpace]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Tribe, I saw this plane for the first time today, at the Soldotna, Alaska airport...anyone know anything about it? I don't recall ever seeing a trigear Taylorcraft up here. Dick

Here's what FAA.gov says:
WITTKOP JOSEPH D
Street 38410 RIVERWOOD DR

City KENAI State ALASKA
County KENAI PENINSULA Zip Code 99611
Country UNITED STATES
O.T.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Oh dear... we'll have to nip that in the bud...

Please send me your address and I'll send out an old rusty hacksaw in the mail to you right away with instructions on how to remove that awful appendage !

[d.grimm]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

It looks like there are gear attach points for tailwheel conversion. Is that possible?
Dave

[rotaxflyer]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Well, it doesn't look quite as silly as a tri-pacer....

Andy

[VictorBravo]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

It looks like there are gear attach points for tailwheel conversion. Is that possible?
Dave

Yes, I believe the F-22's were built that way, to allow conversion to/from the nosewheel to tailwheel.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Yep, indeed they were made that way.... You could even fabricate steps for refueling and attach to the front fittings... Mert Meade always called it the "bugger" Tcraft, it had a "bugger" hanging out the nose....

[flyguy]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

One of my criticisms of Taylorcraft in "recent" years is trying to make it into a modern, long-runway, do-everything fabric-covered Cessna.

Copy what the guys in Alaska are doing. Come out with a no frills, rough-and-ready, macho, take-on-anything type of machine.

Then add a certified, 2 place clipped wing to the line-up. Bigger engine, rated for aerobatic instruction.

And make parts.
DC

[Pearson]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

AMEN & HALLELUAH to that!

[RobertP]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Nothing wrong with the F22A! I own the only one in Europe so it attracts a great deal of attention. Spares are a nightmare though!

Mine is G-BWBI EX - N22UK and was flown over the Pond and took 56 hours complete with 60 gallon bladder tank on the P2 side! I am based in Swansea West Wales UK.

I flew it into Cardiff International today and they asked me twice what I was before they would let me into their controlled air space as they had obviously never heard of a Taylorcraft and thought I was a flexi wing which they did not fancy having to mix with the big boys!

Can't understand you boys who want to make it difficult for yourselves and fly things which ground loop!!

[flyguy]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Oh, I loved my straight-tailed Cessna, but only time I every remember it being fun was playing Joe airline pilot at night. You know, flying the gauges, everything lit up red, stars shining brightly over the mountains.

And it WAS nice to be able to crash it on successfully, at about any speed, in a 17 knot X-wind. Chuckle.
DC

[DanBrown]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Can't understand you boys who want to make it difficult for yourselves and fly things which ground loop!!

A well executed ground loop is a joy to behold and is sure to gather an admiring crowd. It beats a landing on the nose wheel to demonstrate the wheelbarrow maneuver. Both take a great deal of dedicated practice to perfect.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

There may be hope yet...figure out some bigger tires...similar to this Cessna 206...! Make that UK stand for "Utility King".
Dick

[RobertP]

Re: Strange Bird Observed...

Now that's what I call a good idea! would love to be able to put some floats or ski's on her as well like the Alaska boys! Wales has always been "sensitive" about being part of the UK and is known as The Principality so your suggestion about UK may be good idea as well!

Wales has plenty of Mountains, snow and lakes but trying to put them to good constructive flying use would give the UK CAA and the local Authorities the screaming hab dabs!