looking to buy

[TJay]

Hi guys I am selling my Quad City Challenger and found a 1946 Taylor Craft project, I think its the one. you guys have any thoughts on what to look for before buying. I have read about spars cracking, but cant really check that, and I know about all the paper work being correct. Just looking for random thoughts off the top of your head. Thanks TJay Larsen

[Richh2only]

Re: looking to buy

I purchased a project back in September of 2011, it was all disassembled, has been that way since 1973 and has had three owners since being taken apart. This is the first project I ever bought and there are a lot of little parts missing. But I found that searching for the parts and working on the project is almost as much fun as flying, I also have a 172 Skyhawk that does fly. Mine has a zero time engine and the fuselage had been stripped, blasted and epoxy painted but all control cables and turnbuckles and some pulleys were missing along with numerous other parts. But using this forum and Ebay I have almost located all the parts I need to complete my project. You just have to take it one step at a time, it would be nice if it has the logbooks back to 1946, but that is not a biggie if you are going to do a complete restoration you can start a new set of logs. The FAA has a CD you can order for $10.00 on the airplane which will show the ownership chain and any 337 forms that were filled through the years. Also nice to have the paper work match the Data Plate as this is what the FAA registration is based upon. An Airworthiness Certificate is also nice to have as it will make it easier to to complete the project through flight, the less you have to deal with the FAA the better, they can be quite slow at times. If you have never done fabric work before EAA Sport Workshop is offering a Fabric Class this weekend, January 28 - 29, 2012 at Oshkosh, WI for $279.00 for EAA members and slightly more for non members. Good luck with your project, this is a good group of guys on this forum.
Richard Herzberger
N43178 Member 1072

[cvavon]

Re: looking to buy

TJay first welcome to the forum its hard to tell some one what should be with a project first some photos posted here will help the tribe to help you to make sure of what you have and what is missing then the work begins chuck

[Robert Lees]

Re: looking to buy

Hello TJay, welcome to the forum.

I'd recommend getting someone knowledgable (like an experienced rag-and-tube IA or a Taylorcraft rebuilder or similar) to have a look over it. There are lots of folks more experienced than me in the Boscobel area (or at least in WI and Iowa border area); I'm sure they'll chip in to this thread in due course.

A Taylorcraft project is a VST (Very Sensible Thing)! (but I'm biased!).

Rob

[TJay]

Re: looking to buy

Thanks for the welcomes guys, I guess If I buy this bird I will pro strip it down to the bare bones and start over. Thats what I did with the challenger, its nice to know what you bought inside and out. One more question anybody know the wing length, thickness of the wing and cord length gonna start building a double deck on my trailer wings under plane on top.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: looking to buy

The chord is 64" and the wings are a little over 8" thick (got to remember the fuel tank neck!). The length (span wise) of one panel is a little over 17' (need a little space at the tip so you don't damage the tip bow or break the light glass.....that glass is EXPENSIVE and can be hard to find!)
Hank

[fearofpavement]

Re: looking to buy

I'm attempting to upload a photo of a BC12D on a 20' trailer so you can see how we transported one.

[Richh2only]

Re: looking to buy

If you have access to a cube van it keeps every thing out of the wind, here is how I transported my entire project. Truck has a 17' box inside dimensions, when the door was left open there was 17' 6" to the lift gate. We just put some clamps on the door to keep it from slamming down. Here are a couple of pics.

Richard Herzberger
N43178 Member #1072

[barnstmr]

Re: looking to buy

Hey.. that's "Yellow Duck"! Haven't heard that name in a while. Whats the status?... Please give us an update on the old bird.

[fearofpavement]

Re: looking to buy

Hey.. that's "Yellow Duck"! Haven't heard that name in a while. Whats the status?... Please give us an update on the old bird.

Well, Yellow Duck is languishing. We acquired it with a damaged gear leg and attach point. The fuselage has been welded, a used gear was acquired, one of the wing tanks was removed and welded. So essentially it needs to get reassembled. (needs fabric work and neither my partner or i are too up on that. Both of us have done some but not in the last few decades....

The engine was removed as the boot cowl had to come off to repair the gear. We did accomplish the AD's on the lift struts and attach points. The struts have expired but should be good as they were oil treated per the AD.

We acquired this plane as our other BC12D was going to go to the Amazon of Brazil on a set of 1320's I have. That plan got changed and we still have "Goliath" here. Thus we don't really need another T to be flying and this puts it on the back burner.

We are soon going to bring a C-185 back from South America and are running out of space.

We also have a PA-12 in Peru that needs to be sold or returned to the USA. It is in airworthy condition but that program ceased. So that is the short version update.

[crispy critter]

Re: looking to buy

I'm attempting to upload a photo of a BC12D on a 20' trailer so you can see how we transported one.

I was wondering what happened to Lee's old bird.