Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

[mcpeekrs]

Hello,

This is my first post! My dad and I have the chance to purchase a 1946 BC-12-D in pieces. Wings still assembled. We're desperately wanting to build! Almost everything is there besides brakes, wheels, prop. I believe it already has the papers to be experimental, I need to check this out more. It comes with the original landing gear but also aluminum gear (still needing axels). I'm out of the country right now so my dad has been checking it out. It comes with an A65 (short mount) that needs rebuilt. I'm 165 and he's 175 lbs.

Although it's experimental, I think we are wanting to keep close to original specs as from what I've read, that will fly the best and it's what is proven. It would be my hope to be getting in to off airport landings, maybe in the hills, and going on some camping trips. (lots of learning to so still!!!) I've read that the BC-12-D with C-85 flys more like a sports car and the F-19 O-200 a little heavier feeling. Any comments on the flight characteristics? I like the idea of the extended baggage of the F-19 but the light feeling of the other appeals to me. Cost of the full f-19 conversion is also an issue in needing to replace the engine mount, cowling, and adding electrics.

We want to rebuild it as a bush capable plane and are thinking the following.

-26-29" Airstreaks tires
-hydraulic brakes (probably convert to toe brakes)
-Skylight
-C-85-8 on short mount to increase gross to 1280 (would need to find this and sell the A6)
-Is O-200 on short mount possible?
-Battery powered wingtip lights
-Want to keep it as light as possible, don't need fancy interior.
-May build some sort of radio box as I've read about here. Maybe even transponder later. (don't need all that now)

As it's in pieces now will be the time to figure it all out

Any comments or suggestions on the above would be greatly appreciated. Have I got the right idea for fulfilling our mission? We have plenty of time to figure it out as I don't head back to Ohio until January. A few pics attached.

Looking forward VERY much to getting in to this!!!

[cvavon]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Ryan first welcome to the site as far as your plan for your tcraft it's very doable your wings are of 2 vintages one is pre war one is post war the grove gear i would not use it my self as the tcraft gear is strong and light and work very well my tcraft is a 1940 with the c85-12 with full electric on the short mount 26in bush wheels grove disk brakes micro V G kit roller bearing pulleys AK bush 3200 tail wheel and yes it is like a sports car 150 ft take off and very short landings a sky light is the next thing it will get ryen give me a pm at [email protected] if you would like to talk chuck

[Ryan]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Ryan, Welcome to the forum. We just completed a Bc12D this past year and it is based at Beach City (2D7). It has the A65, but interior skylight, large windows are all down like you describe. Feel free to stop up sometime and see it. I can take you up if you like. Also, given that you are only in Cosch. please consider contacting Forrest Barber and heading up to Barber Field. Spend a day with Forrest. There you will learn all the in and outs of Taylorcrafts, some nice pointers in your restoration, and see some good grass roots flying. Do you run with John Graham and the Ohio bushplane guys?

[N5002M]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Ryan,

Looks like a fun project!!! I have a few idea's to offer as I just did the toe brake conversion on mine. I have a 46 BC12D Mod 19, 1500 lb gross, C90-12F w/ full electrical. I fly off field here in Alaska almost exclusively and have mod'd my plane for this kind of flying. Drop me a message if you have specific questions. I've rebuilt several of these small Continentals as well. Also...one recommendation on that gear in the pic is to strip it and UT (ultra sonic) test it for wall thickness...then have a cross member welded in between the A-legs. As Chuck mentioned, the T-craft gear is strong as long as it's not rotted out. There are drain holes at the axle web, but many people did not keep them cleaned out and the moisture rotted out that web. As for the wings, do your research and install the thicker spar doubler plates. Mine has the legal Harer STC doublers but since you are going experimental (good for you!!!) you can at least get an idea of what to do from the STC as far as beefing up the attach points.

The T-Craft is indeed a very good off field airplane. You will have to get used to slow approaches with the nose high carrying power. That's where the cubs with flaps have the advantage in visibility alone...but you will learn to compensate. I would recommend a T&B indicator because skidding at MCA spells instant disaster. Also...a GPS mounted in line with your field of view for ground speed. Ground speed becomes real important on short field landings as 3 mph can be the difference in getting stopped or not getting stopped in time. Fun stuff!!!

Good luck with your project.

Chris

[rammon3]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Keep in mind that it is Airspeed, NOT groundspeed that keeps the plane flying. That GPS might become a deadly distraction on landing.

[crispy critter]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Actually Chuck I think it just had the stamped ribs on the butt ribs. I used to own this airplane and was probably the last one to fly it. The little A65 ran great and I don't think it had too much time on it if I remember correctly. Call me if ya would like some more info on it, I also have another one that might be good for parts or ??? On top of all that, I have a 1946 BC12D that I got approval for an 0200 on a short mount and yes....the juice is worth the squeeze!!!

[N5002M]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Keep in mind that it is Airspeed, NOT groundspeed that keeps the plane flying. That GPS might become a deadly distraction on landing.

You would hope anybody with about 20 hours or more would understand enough about aerodynamics to realize the importance of airspeed. I've been flying in Alaska for 22 years and I am here to tell you sir that ground speed is something that every bush pilot is aware of especially when you get into water assisted landings and more advanced techniques. I was assuming the author of the original post was beyond his private pilots check ride.

Chris

[jim cooper]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

These fellows from Alaska know their stuff. They have to, or they die! Wish I had had their experience. The 90 or the 85 with the Don Swords conversion would be great and a real nice airplane to fly. Sounds exciting! JC

[rammon3]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

True enough! The airspeed keeps you flying. The groundspeed gets you stopped before the cliff.

[cvavon]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Well we can look at this speed thing a different way air speed is the forward movement of the plane to make lift and it flies ground speed happens when the plane touches down and and is then a land vehicle the two work hand in hand for off air port work the slower your air speed the slower your ground speed witch gives you a good idea of the ground roll in my plane the air speed indicator starts to bounce at 45 mph but gps on glare shield is solid and can read it also gets your head out of the cock pit and out the window Oh with new VG'S 45 mph is a very obtainable speed on short final touch down in middle 30's roll out with moderate braking 100 ft on pavement less on grass

[N5002M]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Yep...exactly Chuck. Also, airspeed vs. ground speed gives me a relative idea of my wind component. There are quite a few places I land that I simply cannot get in or out with out some form of headwind. A solid 10 mph on the nose lowers the GS more or less the same amount while still safely above stall. Touching down at 25 instead of 35 is huge on roll out. I also have the Micro-VG's. My buddy has a 12D without them and I was real curious about the difference. We wallowed mine around at MCA and stall and then immediately hopped in his and did the same. It was real tough to establish the difference in the actual stall point however, the difference in control defectiveness at MCA was evident. I spend lots of time at 3000 ' experimenting at MCA and stall. I'll do rapid and intentional radical control inputs to basically induce the 'worst' case landing scenario. You never know (and it's happened to me) when that moose or bear might come dashing out of the alders 10 feet before touch down on a 200' gravel bar. I am happy to say that I have yet to induce an unintentional spin without full rudder deflection. It's good to know, but I have flown plenty of spin happy airplanes and I am still (as any good pilot should be) constantly conscience of coordination. That's why I made the comment above about having a skid / slip indicator for learning short and off field stuff. After owning an Aeronca 15AC, I found myself sliding the T around for the first month. After a little practice in a new plane a person can keep it true in turns and no longer needs to fixate on that indicator. I was glad I had one for practicing slow approaches. I caught myself with the ball out and did the classic self cursing "geez, what kind of pilot are you...get coordinated you schmuck"... Chris

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

We had to abort a landing just the other day. Several deer came out of the corn and out on the run way on short final! Tall corn beside the runway. Almost all the other corn fields around here are about 2' or 3' feet tall because of the drought but not by my runway!
L

[mcpeekrs]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

Thanks very much guys for the input! I'm glad to know there are so many resources out there. We'll be sure to get in touch with Forrest as Alliance is not too far away. Really looking forward to digging in to this project!!! We'll be around the forum and in touch.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

If you decide you want to go with sheet metal wing ribs let me know. I have some post war wings I will be tearing down and maybe we can work a swap for the pre-war stick ribs. The sheet metal ribs are a lot more robust for a minor difference in weight. You might also want to increase to the 15 rib wing and two wing tanks for any "boon-docks" flying. It's always nice to have fuel capacity for the times you really need it, even if you rarely use it. The skylight and increased HP are great for what you are doing as well as the higher GW mods (but you might not want to actually change the max GW so you can stay Sport Pilot legal) and if you have the tube doors consider "Patrol Doors" with transparent lower skins on the doors, GREAT visibility!
You really want to get with Chuck Avon on the mods to his plane. The VGs seem to have really helped his plane and he seems really close to having it well "dialed in". He is going to kick some Super Cub behind pretty soon!
Hank

[mcpeekrs]

Re: Complete Rebuild BC-12-D - Bush Plane

If you decide you want to go with sheet metal wing ribs let me know. I have some post war wings I will be tearing down and maybe we can work a swap for the pre-war stick ribs. The sheet metal ribs are a lot more robust for a minor difference in weight. You might also want to increase to the 15 rib wing and two wing tanks for any "boon-docks" flying.
Hank

Well hd further inspection on the wings to find out a little more about them. We have not purchased yet and I am out of country so can't check it out any more but my dad can go and check them out. I know there is already at least one wing tank but probably two giving us 24 gallons total. Is there still a need to change the number of ribs?

Regarding the gross weight and sport pilot rules, we are both private pilots so this is not an initial issue. However, we only would increrase the GW to 1280 rather than 1500 to stay under 1320. I can see the advantages of keeping the plane under 1320 if it is sold in the future it could include a larger number of buyers. Also if one of us loses the medical we could still fly.

For registering the plane, what are the advantages and disadvantages of registering light sport. As private pilots we can fly in to Canada, but can you fly a light sport plane in to Canada.....dreaming of flying to Alaska!