Question...

[McTow]

Was there ever a Taylorcraft built that had both stick control and flaps?

[AndyDuke]

Re: Question...

Yes - It's called an Auster (worst Taylorcraft ever).

[VictorBravo]

Re: Question...

The Auster was one of the best Taylorcrafts ever. I've owned four Taylorcrafts, three US T-crafts and one British Taylorcraft Auster.

The Auster had control sticks, flaps, more visibility, and in later models more power-to-weight ratio. It was also a much heavier duty airframe, the steel tubes had been increased in size for military service.

Although the same external dimensions as the American version, the British Auster was a heavier and more "solid feeling" aircraft by far.

When switching from an American T-craft to an Auster, you LOSE the lovely light feather feeling of the American airplane, and you LOSE the fuel efficiency and speed-per-horsepower that came with that light weight.

You GAIN desperately needed visibility, you GAIN desperately needed glidepath control, you GAIN load carrying ability, you GAIN structural toughness and heavy duty service, you GAIN a large amount of cabin volume, you GAIN a little bit extra enjoyment from the stick control, you GAIN a smoother ride in turbulence, and you GAIN the ability to safely operate into shorter more demanding airstrips.

Both aircraft have their advantages and disadvantages, but both are incredibly good airplanes and both do incredible things. I'd be glad to own another Auster in a heartbeat, so long as it had either the 145HP Gipsy or the O-320 / O-360 Lycoming. The later O-360 Lycoming powered airplane is effectively a four seat Super Cub.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Question...

I guessed Bill would be the next to answer. But I knew that after Bill, I would be the next one after that

Bill's articles about flying the Auster are a pleasure to read (Bill, can you post them here for old times' sake?)

You GAIN huge fuel burn, HUGE engine overhaul costs (£17,000 for a Gipsy major overhaul..but this does include the oil scraper ring mod...I'll leave you all to do the £-$ conversion).

Horsters do have one redeeming feature: when it's passed its sell-by date, you can use it to construct a hangar beneath which you park your Taylorcraft.

My word, but they are so dreadful...
reaching up to the skylight to lower manual flap;
needing a team of horses to get it out of the hangar;
With a Lycoming the front is like a barn door; with a Gipsy they look (and drool) like a bloodhound.

Biased? Moi?

[VictorBravo]

Re: Question...

Thsi reminds me of the great movie "Ice Station Zebra", where the Russian spy (Ernest Borgnine) was actually anti-Russian, and the suave English MI-6/Bond type (Patrick McGoohan) was actually pro-Russian. Greatest line in the movie (McGoohan): "Yes, and I can also lie, cheat, steal and kill in six languages..."

But in the far less exotic Taylorcraft world here today, we're left with an American who loves the British T-craft and a Brit who thinks they're drooling Bloodhounds

Far be it for me to insult such a distinguished and accomplished gentleman as Rob, but in my humble opinion just having both a skylight and a flap handle in a Taylorcraft are good things... regardless of their location relative to each other

Barn door Lycoming engine cowling... I agree.

But to callously insult the grace and beauty of the classic Gipsy engine cowling... that has graced so many historic aircraft, from the Tiger Moth to the Chipmiunk?... Why, it's just not "keeping the British end up", to quote another great line from a James Bond movie!

[Robert Lees]

Re: Question...

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Question...

I just love it!!! I have flown both. Like Lou Whitaker said " so many airplanes, so little time" . I see the advantages to both. Drooling does ring a bell. Stick and flaps , hmmmm I thnk the Model 18, built for the competition for the Korean War ( L-19 won out) had those atributes. It was basically a D Model with 125 hp Lyc. and even had a Diesel ( Lycoming) at one time.
Back at it tonight, computer took a crap , Dick Huish and I am scheming to get a TG-6 going here in Ohio again. Averiging about two funerals a week back here counting friends and relatives. We have closed the Sky diving operation for the season, got most of the stuff winterized at the airport.