Elevator trim

[dbusby]

HI all, am plodding on gradually with the restoration in the UK but have come across something i cannot find anywhere on 'net.
I have two sets of elevators which seem to have a very early trim system on them with no reference anywhere on how they need to be setup. I've uploaded these two photo's which show what i can't really describe in words. Has anyone got this trim system fitted and/or can supply drawings of how these are to be fitted?
Many thanks in advance

Damian

[Robert Lees]

Re: Elevator trim

I've not seen it myself, however it looks to me like the predecessor of the screw-trim system which was used on post-1941 models (and some late pre-war models).

In other words, it has an elevator trim tab, but is operated by two cables using tubes instead of pulleys.

Similar principle to some earlier brake systems.

I welcome other folks' input.

Rob

[dbusby]

Re: Elevator trim

Thanks Rob,
There has been several things on this aircaft that really does lead me to the fact it's older than 1941. Am trying hard to find out more from everywhere i can but to no avail. When i come up next time i'll show you more pics of the items i mean.
Damian

[M Towsley]

Re: Elevator trim

Did the elevators have a sharp turn like that, I thought they were curved. Does that even belong on a T-Craft? Maybe I am looking at it wrong...???

[Robert Lees]

Re: Elevator trim

Damian, quite the contrary...that is pre-1941 to my knowledge.

Rob

[dbusby]

Re: Elevator trim

Marty, I am pretty sure it is a T-Craft elevator as i have found on wagaero the wooden trim tab which is the exact same shape i took off, not the mid positioned tab seen on all others around net..

Damian

[M Towsley]

Re: Elevator trim

Damian,

It does look strange, kind of neat. Never seen one like that.....

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Elevator trim

NOT Taylorcraft ; seems to be sort of a copy Auster?? what are u restoring?

[dbusby]

Re: Elevator trim

Am restoring a 1941 Taylorcraft BC12-65. Have done some more research on this item and it seems to be the type fitted to the L2. This does fit in to a few things mentioned to me by the person i bought the aircraft from.He tells me that there is paperwork that came with it saying it was one designed for the us army but was never commisioned. It was then put into civil use!! Until his wife finds the folder to confirm i can't say anymore.
If there are records in the USA which the FAA paperwork doesn't show i would be most interested. If anyone is bored and could help i would be most grateful. The c/n is 2598 with previous reg being N29751.

Damian

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Elevator trim

This is what I do at the Taylorcraft Foundation.
Ser#2598 was a BC-12 , she had A-65 ser#593818 , Wt was 735 lbs. she came out for testing 2-24-1941. ( This is from the field book, all original)
N29751 was test flown on 2-24-1941 by William Crawford, this is from his personal log book. Soooo we have two sources that match.
The "FAA" records should tell the rest of the story.

The " it seems to be the type fitted to the L2. " does not make any sense to me . Some of these ships were "impressed" into Military service, the records will show that action. back tomorrow if the snow does not get me!!

[M Towsley]

Re: Elevator trim

That tubing for the trim cable does not look like any L-2 trim I have seen...???

[TonyL]

Re: Elevator trim

1939 and earlier models had the winglets below the elevator. There's no jack screw on the LH elevator to adjust the nose up or down travel. Forrest is right. might not be standard to the Tcraft. Look for the pulleys and their routing.

[dbusby]

Re: Elevator trim

First of all, thanks Forrest, that all pretty much ties up with info from FAA.
Secondly, i really am at strange place with this elevator. Have found on the internet pictures of this type on both L2's and also Auster 5???????
Two more pictures after i dry-rigged the tail end today just to see what it looked liked from a different light. Does this ring any bells with anybody???
Have taped the old trim tab on one of the pics just to show what i took apart. If nothing shakes anybodys memory then it looks like i'll be trawling net for an elevator for sale!!!!

[Ray36048]

Re: Elevator trim

This set up is something like that on Champs. Only the Champs do not have tubes for the cables. The Champ has a set of pullies near the hinge line and another set inside of the fuse to route the cables from the elevator up the left inside of the fuse to the trim handle.

Do you see anything like a pulley mounting?

[Edwin Otha]

Re: Elevator trim

We had a L2 with the twin cable trim set up. I always thought it was somebody's "better idea". On the plus side it didn't suffer from the slipping problems the the others had. Let me look out in the shop and see if I still have that airplane.
EO