Thought this might make a good discussion...

I have never even heard of one of these things until I stumbled on this listing...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Classic-Style-1954-Taylorcraft-4-seat-taildragger-airplane-project-/111012736319?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid=111000&algo=REC.CURRENT&ao=1&asc=14&meid=5619656721293809901&pid=100015&prg=1006&rk=1&sd=111012736319&&forcev4exp=true

Quick Google search.... Rag and tube type construction but with a fiberglass shell.... 4-470-J 225HP... Slotted wing in front of the aileron and slotted flaps and ailerons...
Would make one interesting machine if it could be had reasonable and reasonably restored...

What do you guys think..??

Brian.

They're super cool. That one has been for sale for a LONG time though.

Super cool! Probably impossible to restore to original configuration, but who would ever know?

Brian,
I know a guy that did a total restoration on a Luscombe Sedan.
Trophy winning restoration, he flew it less than a year and sold it.
Said it was the worst flying thing he had ever been in.
Not saying the same about this TaylorCraft, but there has to be a
Reason there is so few of them.
Take this from a guy who flies an airplane they only made 500 of. Ha Ha.
Dave

There is one of these on display at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (www.bushplane.com) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Very nice museum.

Tim

I beieve there were two different 4-place T-craft models, one with a small engine (O300 maybe) and the other 470 powered? There is (or was) a couple 4-seat T-Crafts in a hangar at Apple Valley airstrip near Hillsboro-- the only ones I've ever seen in real life. That place is really cool BTW, with a big "log cabin" (that term doesn't do it justice), a grass strip, & a big hangar amid the apple orchards. It was owned by Ramblin' Rod Anders of Portland TV fame, I flew in with some friends & met him a couple years before he passed away in 2002.

My good friend jcrowles has a Ranchwagon. The one I saw flying is O-470 powered and looks to be a very sturdy plane. Hopefully he will see this post and answer any questions anyone may ask. He flew it on one of the Fall Colors Tour a couple years ago and I think they are close to the 180/182 class of aircraft in performance. Personally I like things a little different than most people and really liked the plane. Maybe a little heavier and slower than the 180/182 but it is big and roomy. I know it sure is a sweet sounding plane when it flies over.

Here is a TCart I saw at Lake Hood yesterday

aktahoe1 wrote:Here is a TCart I saw at Lake Hood yesterday

Is that a 4 place? And I don't see a right rear passenger door

I think the reason there is so few of them is the fiberglass.... From what I have read, the structure is like tube and rag and the skins are bonded together fiberglass shells. The one on e-bay says that the wing fiberglass was removed and covered in fabric via field approval because the fiberglass skin was warped in places....1954, is early fiberglass... The technology has come by leaps and bounds since then...

I also did a little research and found that the other 4 place was a model 15.... That one was a fabric airplane....

Never the less... It is an interesting machine to say the least...

Pat, that one at lake hood is a BC-65 or a BC12-D... It just has really large rear windows installed...

Brian

I see. That one at Lake Hood looks good with them AKB's!

Would definitely like to fly it sometime for sure

I had a Luscombe Sedan, 165 Cont., early O-470, like Navions, Bonanza, etc., liked, it flew well at altitude, couldn't do a 3 point, tail held 1 foot off, when landing-spin details lost in cert. process, could handle strong crosswinds this way anyhow, lots of room, good cruise/economy-don't remember numbers. Few AD's. Sold for non-aircraft reasons. I think lack of productivity had to do w/ competing against Cessna, post-war bust. In fact-looking for another.