bagage compartment

[Laz]

Does anyone have a picture or dimensions of a stock BC12D baggage compartment. The one in mine was a hack job that some kid did 40 years ago. I would like mine to be close to the original. Also how was it attached to the wood cross bar in the back and to the side? I have searched all the threads without any luck

[flybikefarm]

Re: bagage compartment

I warned you about that KID! George

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: bagage compartment

I have an original 45 seat and baggage sling in the barn if no one else has one. I used it to make a copy for the 41. I went to the Taylorcraft tent company and they sewed up a beautiful copy in some really tough aircraft tent fabric. On the 45 the seat fabric was combined with the baggage sling. The back of the seat sling was held to the tube with lacing and the baggage sling was held to a wooden frame around the top by a series of snaps.
Hank

[Laz]

Re: bagage compartment

Thanks Hank. What is behind the side snaps?. Is there a piece of wood attached in some way to the steel tubing? I have what I thnk is my original sling, but who knows.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: bagage compartment

There is a wood piece across the back that also supports the hat shelf and a wood piece along both sides under the "D" window frame. The male side of the snaps screw into these.
Hank

[Laz]

Re: bagage compartment

ThanKs again Hank you are a life saver. That is exacly what I needed. Everyting is covered except the Fusealge. I will have the official Taylorcraft Tentmaker make one just like it. The side wood piece was missing from my airplane. The snaps look like the pervect way to go.

Have you ever had a problem with the snaps coming loose?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: bagage compartment

If the bag is a little small around the top (mine is) the snap in the corner will pop sometimes (I had to put a little spacer in to close the hole up to match the bag). Make sure you make the sling with a little slack (just a fraction of an inch is all that is needed). You also need to put the snaps in the bag first and use them to locate the male side on the wood. It DOES NOT work the other way around. The tent guy can't accurately locate the snaps in the cloth.
The other thing is you want to put the headliner in BEFORE you cover the fuselage! It's BRUTAL getting it in after. After the headliner is in you cover the spaces between the stringers with waxed paper or plastic to protect it from the covering chemicals. If you don't, drips will ruin the headliner. After the fuselage is painted you can reach around the back and through the zippers to pull out the wax paper or plastic.
Little trick I wish I had figured out BEFORE I did the 41!
Hank

The picture os of the upholsterer I worked with, not me. He is about 2/3 my size! When I was in there there wasn't enough room for light to escape!

Also, WATCH OUT FOR THOSE SHEARS! Them suckers can stab you in BAD PLACES!

[Laz]

Re: bagage compartment

Thanks for the sissors tip. That could realy hurt. I am fortunate, not much headliner in my BC12D. I put in the clayton skylite STC. All I will have is a small area around the D window. I hope to post some pictures soon. Every day I gain more res[pect for anyone who has completed a T-craft
restoration. Way more work than I bargained for.

[senior]

Re: bagage compartment

Thread Hyjack

Laz: What is a "clayton skylite"?
I want to instal one on my build, I have pics of G-BREY skylight.
Would it be possible for you to post or send me pics to see how yours was done?

Thanks
Randy

[Laz]

Re: bagage compartment

The Clayton skylite is a STC done by Greg Clayton, Box 73204 Fairbanks Alaska. Somewhere on this site there is a posting of Gregs Number. He sells you the STC and the parts needed to make the approved conversion. I found it very easy to do on a rebuild. I will post a bunch of pictures soon. I think the STC and parts are under $300.