Taylorcraft N43354

[TreeTopFlier]

Taylorcraft N43354 1946 BC12-D was restored in 1996. Serial # 7013 has the orginal 65 Continental. Total time = 2,192.8 TSMOH = 467.6
Two years ago she had a soft cylinder. When pulled one ring was broken and one ring was stuck. I decided to go ahead and pull all four and do a complete Top overhaul. Cylinders are orginal steel .015 oversize with no scarring or ridges in them. Sent the cylinders off and upon return put eveything back together will all new pistons and rings. This year all four were 79/80. The carburator was rebuilt and this 65C is the best running, easiest starting 65 I have ever flown behind. Other than the weight limitations, (empty wt is 803 / gross is 1200 ) I feel this is a far better classic that a cub or champ. ( I can easily outrun them too ). I would like to find wheel-pants and hardware for her someday, (not sure how much of a weight penalty that is ), but I like wheelpants. I have read so much "nonsense" about how hard the Taylorcrafts are to fly that I can only reason that the folks that write this "BUNK" have never flown one. I will attach some pictures as soon as I get them resized........Don in SC

[BannerScum]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Nice! We have N43356! Pretty wild...

I'm in the same boat as you with the wheelpants, definitely worth the extra weight!

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Nice, we used to have 43345.

[barnstmr]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Very Nice Bird!!!

[KewFlyer]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Don:

A very nice Taylorcraft you have there. Was it built in late 1945 as in Dec 1945 or January of 1946 by any chance?. N 39991.

It looks very similar to my December 22, 1945, other than for the doors, the instrument panel that I can notice at first glance.

Whats that stiking up from the top of the fuselage on the first picture? a radar....weather antenna? ...... just kidding.

Enjoy it

Ralph

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

That isn't a RADAR or Weather antenna, that's the rotor head for the vertical take off option. He just doesn't have the rotor blades mounted. You mean yours doesn't have that option? I will tell you what, the egg beater cranks will WEAR YOUR BUTT OUT to get a vert lift take off!
His plane looks a LOT like my 45 (NC-43196) that was BUILT in 45 but wasn't actually sold till early summer of 46. Don has sheet metal doors on his and mine has tube doors, plus I have the rear "D" windows and a set of factory triangle skylights in mine. I also have the earlier big compass at the top of the windshield instead of the panel top one.
I like the looks of the trim line around your instrument cluster (reminds me of my 41) and the tube handles on the glove box doors. The plastic handles are really too fragile to stand up to actual use.
Do you have the big NC numbers on the wings. Can't see them in the pictures.
Hank

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Don:

A very nice Taylorcraft you have there. Was it built in late 1945 as in Dec 1945 or January of 1946 by any chance?. N 39991.

It looks very similar to my December 22, 1945, other than for the doors, the instrument panel that I can notice at first glance.

Whats that stiking up from the top of the fuselage on the first picture? a radar....weather antenna? ...... just kidding.

Enjoy it

Ralph

should be Feb or march of 46 build.

[flybikefarm]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Mine is 39972, test flown Jan 2, 1946. It has steel tube doors.
George

[KewFlyer]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Mine is 39972, test flown Jan 2, 1946. It has steel tube doors.
George

George:

Very interesting. My N39991 was test flown on Dec 22, 1945 but sold in February 1946 to a doctor in PA. So the plane sat for almost 2 months...uhmm ... I wonder why?

Tube and fabric doors, no "D" window, small compass by Airpass (I believe that's the name on it?), no skylights ( I wish I had more visibility....maybe I will put them in at the next restoration...with only 60 hrs on it....that will be along wait), only right glove box ( left one ? maybe the factory was out of stock in late Dec 1945 !!)......

It appears to me, that I got the "economic" = E model = a basic Taylorcraft Model BC-12D "E"....... but all fly the same !!!. with 60 Mustang HP and 4.65 gal/Hr ... and tons of fun ..... priceless !!

Ralph

[flybikefarm]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

I am installing a skylight, no d windows. I will have to look when it was sold and what the serial number is. George

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

George:

Very interesting. My N39991 was test flown on Dec 22, 1945 but sold in February 1946 to a doctor in PA. So the plane sat for almost 2 months...uhmm ... I wonder why?

Tube and fabric doors, no "D" window, small compass by Airpass (I believe that's the name on it?), no skylights ( I wish I had more visibility....maybe I will put them in at the next restoration...with only 60 hrs on it....that will be along wait), only right glove box ( left one ? maybe the factory was out of stock in late Dec 1945 !!)......

It appears to me, that I got the "economic" = E model = a basic Taylorcraft Model BC-12D "E"....... but all fly the same !!!. with 60 Mustang HP and 4.65 gal/Hr ... and tons of fun ..... priceless !!

Ralph

Sold to a doctor in PA ? I thought from the tiltle search I did that plane was first sold to "Howard Aircraft" in texas . Thats what I recall from the title search I had on that plane when I was close to purchasing it from Ernie Carlson. I may be confusing it with another. I do recall Sweckely (sp) on that plane early on that may have been where it first was sold after all

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Also your panel was replaced with a flat one when it was restored by the folks in Pittsburgh at the PIA. It and the Mail carrier hanging in the Greater pit airport terminal were the last fabric planes done at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronatics by the students. I am preety familiar with your plane as Ernie and I got to know each other well.

[KewFlyer]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Jim:

It is a nice plane. PIA did a great job on it. I wonder where can I find a picture of it or more information prior to PIA taking this plane in for restoration. Just curious how it look like and in what condition it was prior to. I talked with a Frank Bruno at PIA but I could not get any further information. I may have to go there myself and see what can I dig up. Do you happen to have a contact at PIA?

Ralph

[Jim Herpst]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Na I was born n raised in Pitt. Moved south when 18 for school and stayed here. I got to know Ernie about 1997 ish. Plane was done over by then. It seemed to me he said it was not in an original paint scheme when it was done over and preety rough. It should have a 75 hp on it now as you say low time. The Boot cowell needed to still be replaced but other than that I remember the plane as very nice. Glad you are enjoying it.

[KewFlyer]

Re: Taylorcraft N43354

Jim:

A picture is worth a thousand words...