N47046 L-2m

[ericridilla]

1943 L-2M DC-65
Taylorcraft
ser# 5675
N47046 AAF 4326363

Proud third owner of "Bug Eyes".(not including Uncle Sam) I purchased N47046 a few weeks back and was flying about every other day until I tried to get the heat to work and found a large crack in the muffler. Should be repaired this week. A bit more poking around the plane today and found the stringer repair running down her back has failed. Welcome to plane ownership. It's still better than my 195 I sold this spring.

What I love about the plane is two much to list and all of you know the basic love of owning/flying a T-craft. Interesting points on 47046 is the total time, under 800 and how original the plane is. Also, Fully restored in 1996 in Alliance OH.

I am looking forward to owning and flying her for a long time to come. 72 years old and she may have some work to do ahead. I have 4 kids and they all like flying with me. With a little luck maybe she can help me get them their ticket someday. Maybe I am old fashioned but what better way than tail wheel stick and rudder...

[ericridilla]

Re: N47046 L-2m

1943 L-2M DC-65
Taylorcraft
ser# 5675
N47046 AAF 4326363

Proud third owner of "Bug Eyes".(not including Uncle Sam) I purchased N47046 a few weeks back and was flying about every other day until I tried to get the heat to work and found a large crack in the muffler. Should be repaired this week. A bit more poking around the plane today and found the stringer repair running down her back has failed. Welcome to plane ownership. It's still better than my 195 I sold this spring.

What I love about the plane is two much to list and all of you know the basic love of owning/flying a T-craft. Interesting points on 47046 is the total time, under 800 and how original the plane is. Also, Fully restored in 1996 in Alliance OH.

I am looking forward to owning and flying her for a long time to come. 72 years old and she may have some work to do ahead. I have 4 kids and they all like flying with me. With a little luck maybe she can help me get them their ticket someday. Maybe I am old fashioned but what better way than tail wheel stick and rudder...

20160217 added information:
Model L-2M, mil ser# 43-26363, Taylorcraft ser# L5675, contract # AC-36504

13-Nov-43 Aircaft accepted Norton Field Columbus OH
1-Dec-43 Acircraft delivered OH CAP
25-Jul-45 Sold as army surplus $1
1992 Plane purchased by: Bruce Bixler in Alliance OH
1992-1996 Aircaft restored by (Dick Huish) Alliance OH
30-Oct-96 261.00 Acft totally restored. (
1996 Plane purchased by: Gene Rushings, Roanoke TX
30-Oct-96 0.00 Installed Engine A-65-8F ser#5238368 Overhauled 1 Jan 88 TSN:1208.00 TSMO:12.00 TSTO:0.00
10-Jan-98 297.47 Annual (John Abitz)
24-Nov-99 348.13 Annual (John Abitz) AD 46-36-01
19-Jun-01 366.80 Annual (John Abitz)
22-Jun-01 Plane purched by: Paul Quinn, Lancaster PA, Based at Smoketown Airport
15-Dec-01 FAA Form 337 (Auto Gas) STC # SA2086CE and SE2029CE (Unleaded automotive gasoline)

Further content deleted

[Joe cooper]

Re: N47046 L-2m

20160217 added information:
Model L-2M, mil ser# 43-26363, Taylorcraft ser# L5675, contract # AC-36504

13-Nov-43 Aircaft accepted Norton Field Columbus OH
1-Dec-43 Acircraft delivered OH CAP
25-Jul-45 Sold as army surplus $1
1992 Plane purchased by: Bruce Bixler in Alliance OH
1992-1996 Aircaft restored by (Dick Huish) Alliance OH
30-Oct-96 261.00 Acft totally restored. (
1996 Plane purchased by: Gene Rushings, Roanoke TX
30-Oct-96 0.00 Installed Engine A-65-8F ser#5238368 Overhauled 1 Jan 88 TSN:1208.00 TSMO:12.00 TSTO:0.00
10-Jan-98 297.47 Annual (John Abitz)
24-Nov-99 348.13 Annual (John Abitz) AD 46-36-01
19-Jun-01 366.80 Annual (John Abitz)
22-Jun-01 Plane purched by: Paul Quinn, Lancaster PA, Based at Smoketown Airport
15-Dec-01 FAA Form 337 (Auto Gas) STC # SA2086CE and SE2029CE (Unleaded automotive gasoline)

personal content deleted


23-Sep-15 Plane Purchased by: Eric Ridilla, Palmyra PA, Based at Regle Field

I also owned a 195. It was constant expense and trouble and a handful in a cross wind. Much more difficult than the Stearman. I had to go light sport 12 years ago and have owned three t crafts, all trophy winners. Just sold the last one and quit flying at 80 yrs. old. T crafts are fun to fly and much less expensive than a Stearman or a 195 to maintain. I would put a Luscombe exhaust system on the one you have as the factory type is trouble . I also would look up massey air museum and plan to attend their chili fly in this spring. 3000 fet of magnificent grass. Good luck. I envy you.

[Guest]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Eric and Joe,

I want to make a suggestion to you both about your post and the quote of that post.

Remove the name and license numbers that are included.

The availability of that data on the computer puts those individuals at risk of identity theft and fraudulent use of their A&P number that far exceeds the risk they take by merely writing it in the aircraft records.

I suggest that info be deleted as soon as possible. It's not fair to those guys and you and I would not like it if it were our info being posted.

Thanks, Dave.

[Robert Lees]

Re: N47046 L-2m

I agree with Dave, and have removed identifying data.

Eric, if you would care to PM me with an edited version of the history, I'll be happy to reinstall your info without the identifiers.

Rob

This was one of Bruce Bixler's aeroplanes, and those of us who have been here long enough remember him with fondness for the huge work he put into the Taylorcraft Owners Club newsletters. I first met him at Alliance in 2002, having been a Taylorcraft owner for about 11 years at that time.

Rob

[M Towsley]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Joe Cooper,

L-2's do not have the same exhaust as a BC-12D, they split in the back.

Eric,

Do not put a Luscombe exhaust on your L-2, it would not be correct for the airplane.

[Joe cooper]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Joe Cooper,

L-2's do not have the same exhaust as a BC-12D, they split in the back.

Eric,

Do not put a Luscombe exhaust on your L-2, it would not be correct for the airplane.

I'm not sure what " correct" means but there is no doubt that the original mufflers on my BC12Ds were garbage. I have no idea what the muffler on his airplane is but I assume it's a stock taylorcraft muffler. If it is , it's poorly designed and well worth replacing. It probably also needs at least an 85 hp engine which also may not be "correct" but would make his t craft a lot more fun, or better yet an 0200! If he has owned a cessna 195 he knows all about replacing things !! Many of them purchased at places like NAPA.

[ericridilla]

Re: N47046 L-2m

That is a good suggestion! Can never be too careful these days. Stupid me. Thanks Rob for the edit.
Plane is back up in the air. Has been for a few weeks now. I had the original exhaust repaired. Should last awhile. What a great plane.

[M Towsley]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Joe,

You are making a lot of assumptions without learning what is on a particular model of airplane, in this case the exhaust. You assume, apparently, that all Taylorcrafts utilize the same exhaust, they do not. 'Correct' for Eric's L-2 would be an exhaust that splits, (comes apart), at the back so it can be removed easier than one from a BC-12D.

An L-2 is a warbird, a piece of history and keeping its correct looks and parts would be the 'correct' thing to do. A buddy's L-2 has an 85 but still the 'correct' style of exhaust and with one outlet. That plane was also restored by Dick Huish, like Eric's, one of only a couple L-2 gurus around, (unfortunately no longer). An L-2 can get $35K-40K, or more, depending upon its condition and 'correctness'. My aircraft were "Award winning", too.

You also assume that all of these airplanes need a higher horsepower engine. My A-65 powered L-2 was a fun to fly, as well as easy to fly, airplane. It was originally ferried from California to Illinois and did just fine. As you so eloquently say, he owned a 195, so I would thing he would know what he wants to do with his L-2.

Eric,

I miss my L-2, (and the stick), and wish I had never sold her but my wife likes sitting next to me rather than staring at the back of my head, so another BC-12D was procured. Good luck and have fun with her.

[astjp2]

Re: N47046 L-2m

It sounds like someone needs to review the L2 drawings, the L2 was a different airplane. Exhaust is different, everything is different.

[ericridilla]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Don't worry, I am not changing a thing on this little guy (or gal). In fact, I am one of those that is trying to get it exactly the way she or he would have been in 1943. I love the fact that Dick worked this plane and I am unable to say what this plane (time piece) means to me. I was able to repair the exhaust and stringer. Have been flying as much as a father of 4 and military guy can.......

Still trying to get the wife in the plane. She HATES flying. It's not that she hates it, it is a real fear of flying of which I will never understand but work with. I had her all strapped in and was at the end (or is it the beginning) of the runway, when she back out. That was the 195, she seems to be warming up to the L-2. I hope she can make some small trips to local fly-in this summer. Anyone else ever have a wife like this? Some guys say keep it that way. lol..........

[M Towsley]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Eric,

Though my wife doesn't have a 'love' for flying she knows I do. She also gets a little airsick now and then but is still a trooper and goes along with me. We have been best friends for over 25 years along with the same interests for cars and motorcycles, (and even guns). Though flying isn't first on her list she does enjoy it when she goes. Be patient and try to explain the statistics to her, (safe to fly), and how important it is to you. Try to find out why she has such a fear for flying. I hope she comes around, good luck!!!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: N47046 L-2m

Eric you have a strike against you that the "T" could help fix. Almost ALL rational people are scared of helicopters!!!! ;-)

Try starting out taking her up ONLY on fully overcast days (high clouds with as few breaks as possible). NO flying when there are lots of flat bottom cotton ball clouds scattered about! You want her to get some time in TOTALLY dead air with NO LIFT from thermals. The bouncing is usually what scares people early on and a Taylorcraft will bounce around "almost" as bad as a helicopter in lift.

Once she is addicted to the beauty she will slowly get over the motion and learn to love flying. Best thing to break in someone with irrational fears is SMOOTH AIR. NEVER forget that an irrational fear is STILL a fear. You can't get rid of it with logic. It is REAL even if it has no real basis.

Hank