Taylorcraft O57

[Dohrmc]

Hello,
I am new here. I am a long time pilot, now retired. I always thought I would have an airplane of my own some day, but life got in the way, and that is not going to happen.
Now I get my flying fix by building and flying rubber powered models.
I am building a scale model of a Taylorcraft O57, and was hoping I could get a look at any pictures anyone has of one painted up like they were in WWII.
I was a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam, and flew the Cessna Birddog, which is why I want to make the model look like on of the Grasshoppers.
It is a 26" wingspan model, and should fly very well. It is a FreeFlight model, and so has no radio control in it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Wow! A FOR REAL free flighter! So many now stick a small radio in to make sure they get their plane back and miss the real joy of letting go to see the plane do it's thing with no interference from the ground. How about some pictures of the skeleton and some of your other models. A LOT of us are modelers too (and a few still risk our prizes to the free flight Gods).
Hank

I flew RC for years, but tend to get my models back in better shape when I DON'T try to control them.

[Richh2only]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Go to www.airliners.net and do a search for Taylorcaft, there are about 300 pictures of Taylorcrafts in different paint schemes. I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
I also fly RC and like Hank they sometimes do better when I don't try and control them. The past few years I have been doing the electrics and getting away from the glow fuel.
Good Luck

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

The problem with Airliners.net is most the L-2's out there are incorrectly painted. Depending upon which model you are building will determine a little difference in paint. L-2M's usually had a grey undersurface whereas the A and B models seemed to be olive drab all over. Hopefully Dick Huish will pop on and offer his opinion. Usually the old black and white photos are the most accurate. It is usually the star insignia that is the difference. They were fairly plain birds, definitely no invasion stripes no matter what.

[Dohrmc]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Thanks everyone. I will try to post some pictures. I try to put in some time every day on the Taylorcraft model, but it is slow going. I have been pecking away at this thing for about a month.
I'm not sure how well I can post pix with this IPad, but I will give it a shot.
I will make it one of the all olive drab types, as there is difficulty getting lots of detail on this plane.

I do have one question. When I look at a 3 view or a picture, it looks like there is a step on the door side. However, it appears on the photos to be behind or on the inside of the right landing gear. Is it a step?

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

The step is actually a welded-on part of the right landing gear. Here is a picture that shows it somewhat.

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Here are some period photos I found after a quick search.

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Here is a picture of a right landing gear I pulled off of Ebay sometime ago.

[Dohrmc]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Many thanks to all of you for the info. I have been off seeing the kids, which is why I have not answered back. I am struggling a little posting a picture, probably ought to read the instructions.
I have the bones all done, except for the landing gear. Will attempt to show it to you.
It is a model by a guy named Earl Stahl, who designed many aircraft models of this era. I think it will fly very well.
Being a FreeFlight model, with no control over it, it can be a little tricky getting it back. I'll rig the horizontal stab to pop up the trailing edge about 45 degrees. This makes it stall, and they just pancake down pretty softly.
Now to figure out the photo posting!

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

I also have one of those, but not built at this time.

[Dohrmc]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

/Users/dohrm/Desktop/DSC_0060.jpg


Hmmmm, I am struggling with posting a picture. I am reasonably intelligent, but I can't figure this out at the moment. I was trying to post a picture of a birddog, one of the planes I flew, but no picture!!

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

When you post, go to 'Go Advanced' at the bottom right-hand corner. Once there, there is a section toward the bottom that says 'Manage Attachments'. That will open a new window and then you can find your picture on your computer. However, make sure the file is small enough. The max sizes are listed below in that new window. Kind of convoluted but it works once you get the hang of it.

[tcraft]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

Oh Marty. You hurt my heart

[M Towsley]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

In a good way, or a bad way, Bob???

[tcraft]

Re: Taylorcraft O57

"convoluted"? hey, I own two British automobiles...