Auster III Replica from a BC12D basketcase

[RFAGrasshopper]

This is my second post on this. I know were there is a BC12D basket case and i'd like to get it and redo it into an Auster Replica. Has anyone here done that or know of someone that has. It would make it easier with the FAA if someone in the Foundation Knew of one that was done or someone doing one now. If not the FAA office thought the Auster drawing might do. I have contacted the Auster group but thought I'd check here too.
John Hartgerink
RFA Grasshopper Sq. Leader

[NC36061]

Re: Auster III Replica from a BC12D basketcase

I am not an expert, there are more knowledgeable members I'm sure, but I think you would have to move it to Experimental class, very hard if not impossible to do with the FAA nowadays using a certificated airplane as the basis of your project. Years ago, it was done all the time, but no more. IF you had a VERY cooperative IA who would work with you AND you were only making VERY MINOR cosmetic changes to make it resemble an Auster, you MIGHT be able to, but I think you would have better luck building one from scratch as Experimental, or buying an Auster outright. Again, I'm not an expert, but that's my understanding of the rules.

Dave

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Auster III Replica from a BC12D basketcase

If you really want a replica of an Auster, and want it to stay in the lightweight category, I think you are going the wrong direction trying to convert a BC-12 fuselage. You would be better off doing a NEW design Experimental that had the exterior of an Auster III. There is a group doing something similar and using the riveted aluminum tube construction to replicate a Taylorcraft L-2. Either one would make a GREAT sport plane and going to aluminum tube structure would make for a less "robust" design, but would be lighter and open you up to lots of alternate engines. You could built it so it was indistinguishable from an original but with much lighter weight and better performance.
The Aluminum tube planes are tough as nails, but they are NOT combat aircraft for hauling massive amounts of cargo into front line areas. If you fly it like a BC-12 and take care of it, it would last forever.
Designing a replica of the Auster would be fairly easy and be a really neat project if you have access to the layout of the original to copy.
Hank

[VictorBravo]

Re: Auster III Replica from a BC12D basketcase

John,

Did you get the detailed reply I sent you via "private message"?

I have a set of real Auster control sticks that will fit your BC-12 project with little or no modification. I also gave you some relevant information on the Auster I owned, and my attempts to make it into a Mk. V replica.

IMHO a BC-12 could be "restored" into a very good replica of a Mk. III, however the inline engine alone would probably make it an experimental-exhibition category aircraft. So any Auster replica would be difficult to certify in America due to the engine alone.

If you put an FAA certified inline engine (Menasco or Ranger, etc.) if it fits and is light enough... (are any of the Walter LOM's certified anyone???) on a certified airframe (BC-12), you CAN get a one-time STC. We have a member here who can assist you with this on the engineering and FAA approval matters. It will not likely be inexpensive or quick.

One really good option if you have the time to do it, would be to use the BC-12 fuselage structure and build up a 51% experimental Auster as a homebuilt. This would allow you to build a more accurate set of wings with the "split flaps" of the Auster. (Which make a very good improvement in landing performance - My Auster "Autocrat" had these same flaps and I can guarantee you you will love them!) You can also use the control sticks I have to make it an accurate replica... they fly just fine and work perfectly.

A combination of a BC-12 fuselage, a homebuilt set of wings with flaps, a homebuilt set of tails (only to keep it on the right side of the 51% rule), and a 120-140 HP LOM or similar inline engine with a new mount and cowling and FWF would give you a very accurate replica, with great performance. You could even use an automotive engine conversion but you will have to bury a radiator in the cowling to not mess up the accurate look of the Auster. This is an option, however if you count your time and aggravation as being worth a few dollars an hour...

As I mentioned already in my PM, the fastest, CHEAPEST and most accurate way to have an Auster replica is to purchase the one I used to own, which is now for sale. It was in the process of being converted to an Auster AOP V, which is a Lycoming powered version.

The advantages of the Mk. V over the Mk. III are

1) The availability of an inexpensive and higher power engine (Lyc. O-320 using bolt-on aftermarket upgrades and tuned exhaust will make an awesome performer putting out 170+ HP)
2) The Mk. V is the one which has D-Day Normandy Beach wartime history and can accurately carry the black and white Invasion Stripes
3) Better visibility that the Mk. III due to the large rear "canopy"

The advantages of buying this project aircraft instead of building a new one or building up a new experimental are:

1) It already has an airworthiness certificate (US EXP/Ehib), and can likely qualify for a STANDARD US TC under the reciprocity agreement between the US and England aviation authorities. This will be a paperwork shuffle, but you will be flying the airplane while the paper is being shuffled. The time, cost, DAR fees, and effort of getting a brand new homebuilt Airworthiness Certificate... especially proving to them that it is a new airplane and not a rebuilt T-craft, is significant.

2) The Auster is a heavy duty, rough country, exceptionally strong airplane. Stronger than a T-craft because all the tubing is bigger. It is heavier and does not "float" like the T-craft, which in many cases is a good thing. If you manage to hit a rock with an Auster, pity the rock. What is your safety worth, especially if you are flying with an experimental auto engine that might have some teething problems?

3) Most importantly, this airplane exists, has thousands of safe flying hours already on it, and is intact. You can finish the conversion to a Mk. V and have it flying in an honest six months of REAL time, not a year or three.That means you get to go to the airshows sooner, take people for rides sooner, have magazine articles done sooner, and start flying sooner. Trust me, there is a HUGE value to this. Many of us (me included) have looked at two and three year gaps in our logbooks and asked "what the heck happened... I haven't done any flying in X months or Y years???"

In my opinion, having flown the Taylorcraft (a lot) and the Auster (a little), if you are into warbirds on a reasonable budget the Auster cannot be beat. It is rarer than the L-2, L-3 and L-4, and will probably be less expensive to buy. It's funky and strange and British but it flies safely and handles well. You can go most of the places a Super Cub can go, and it has a LOT more room in it than a Super Cub for camping gear. Assuming you have the right engine, you can operate in and out of a 600 foot strip with safety. You have a big strength and safety reserve, probably more than a Super Cub.

Bill

[bkpatten]

Re: Auster III Replica from a BC12D basketcase

Bill, I'd like to have your Auster control sticks, if nobody else has spoken for them yet.
I'm building a new Taylorcraft from the ground up. [email protected]