Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

[N-43121]

I'm on vacation and finally have time to sort out some pictures on the laptop. Here's a sequence of postings about the journey of NC43121.

Posting #1 - The first 58 years:

Rolled out of the factory in January, 1946. NC-43121; BC-12D; SN 6780; A-65 continental engine.
Test flown by Al Barber.
Sold to a dealer in Los Angeles
Went through 14 owners, all in Oregon, from 1946 through 1982; minor damage history.
I purchased in Oregon in 1982 and flew her to Alaska. My first airplane.
I put about 1,000 hours on her from 1982 through 2004. During that time a few “mods” were completed:
o Removed wheel pants and installed 8.50s
o Removed original taylorcraft “hockey puck” tailwheel and installed Maule tailwheel
o Removed headliner and the “sling” baggage compartment – installed extended baggage
o Removed Continental A-65 and did the Gilberti STC to install a C-85 engine (no electrics)
o Removed original landing gear and installed F-19 landing gear – with ski brace / strengthening
o Removed cable brakes and Shinn wheels, installed Cleveland wheels and hydraulic brakes
o Rebuilt and recovered both wings after major wind storm and wing damage, including broken spar.

Decided in 2004 that it was time to take on a total rebuild / recover, including wings again.
Tear-down in 2004 and then into the garage.

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Posting #2 - Six Years of Very Slow Progress

The old bird became a "garage queen" and I made some minor progress. Tear-down; minor fuselage repairs & painting; new cables installed; minor rebuild work. Then moved from Valdez, Alaska back to Wasilla ... she went from one garage to another ... and sat.

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Posting #3 - June 2010 to May 2011 - Complete Rebuild at Crosswinds STOL

After 6 years in the garage, at the rate I was going, this project wasn't going to get done in my lifetime. Rather than making my son wait for an inheritance, I finally decided that I needed to get some serious help and get it done. Charly Center of Crosswinds STOL is my brother-in-law (I married wisely) and a renowned aircraft mechanic specializing in tube-and-fabric aircraft. He has a number of STC modifications (mostly for cubs), but works on a variety of aircraft. In fact he just put a set of floats on an RV-9! He owns a tcraft himself. He and his right hand guy, Mike, took over the project and things came together:

- Installed skylight
- Installed zero time C-85 with electrics, new C-150 style exhaust, and new Sensenich 76AK-2-38 prop
- New cowling to fit long mount and new engine installation
- New electrics (battery, radio, intercom, nav lights, alternator, GPS, ELT)
- New struts
- New shoes … 29-inch Airstreaks by Alaska Bushwheel and “Baby-Bushwheel” tailwheel
- New seats
- New paint
- Float fittings (but no floats … yet)

And ... put the "C" back into the registration numbers.

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Posting #4 - May, 2011 - Back in the Air!

Final push-out, test run, maiden flight, engine break-in flight, and final adjustments to trim. Great to be back in the air again!

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Posting #5 - Summer 2011

Had several fantastic flights this summer. From May through September put on 115 hours. Explored new areas, caught lots of salmon, went to some fly-ins, and generally converted avgas into noise ...

[Tom T]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Now that is a great story, congrats,

[skyboltone]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

She looks really great, especially on those fat tires. Nice recovery from some unusual attitudes!

[M Jones]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Yea, she's a pretty one alright. Saw the Flying Wild Alaska show a couple of weeks ago also. Congratulations!

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

How do you like the full sky light? Ok, too bright, too hot, or just right! L

[jonnywaller]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

That's a really nice bird! I like the full skylight. Pretty neat.

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Posting #6 - April 2016

It's been 5 yrs since the "re-birth" of NC43121. She's doing well with 485 hours since rebuild. Now my daily commuter and my weekend access to the backcountry.

I haven't been on the forum lately, but with insomnia kicking in tonight ... why not.

Blue skies!

Rod

[M Towsley]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Hey Rod, good to hear from you! Glad 'everyone' is doing well.

[skyboltone]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Rod:
Still a great looking airplane. What wheels a brakes are on it?

[N-43121]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Rod:
Still a great looking airplane. What wheels a brakes are on it?

The gear is from an F19 with additional reinforcement. That gear has straight axles vs the original tapered axles on the BC12D. Then it has Cleveland wheels and double puck hydraulic brakes. Works great!

[PA1195]

Re: Nc43121 - 1946 bc12d

Nice plane Rod and as usual Charly's shop did all the right mods. He's laid hands on two of my former aircraft (Citabria/PA-18A) and they flew real good with no issues. He's a fun guy to be around without a doubt. I used to go see him in the Fall just to learn and help out with STOL kits. At one time in the later '80's he had a newly restored T-Craft that was a family plane. Maybe it's still there.

The Grove wheel/brake conversion I have puts a reinforcing sleeve over the tapered axle and fastens to the axle's base with hardware. The previous owner had Atlee Dodge's repair station reinforce the gear similar to yours, a must for ski operation if turns in deep or rough snow are expected.

Gary