Re: Tcrafts and Fairchilds

[dcasali]

'Hi George,

I'm the group moderator. I don't usually write new members, but after I
saw your short note I just had to say hello. I owned a 46 Tcraft for 10
years (N43457, a BC 12D that flew out of Evergreen Airfield in
Vancouver Washington. It was a great little aircraft and very
inexpensive to operate.

I now own a 1937 Fairchild 24G . To compare the two, I would say my
Fairchild is a delight in the air; more firmly planted than the T Craft
and very responsive to the controls. One is always getting knocked
about in a T Craft, and the Fairchild just takes less effort to keep it
true on course.

I often describe my Fairchild as like a Cessna 172, but with more drag
(and of course much more character and class). The stats on the two
machines are very similar, except that the Fairchild travels a more
sedate path through the skies. You won't be crammed inside like a
sardine, and you can actually bring along some gear on a trip. You won't
be going much faster than the Tcraft, but you'll be much more comfortable.

I have an old Warner 145 radial engine on the nose. Radial engine love;
is it wrong? I can't help it. But I would now look for a machine with a
165 Warner instead of the Warner 145. Much easier to find parts for th
165, and more horsepower too.

To be honest, the radial Warners are generally a bit anemic for the
Mountain West. (But hey, your used to a 65 HP Taylorcraft that has
remarkably similar climb and cruise speeds.) The long nosed Ranger
engine Fairchilds go up to 200 Hp, and maybe do better when its high and
hot (??) . I am jealous; I fly from a 3750 ft elevation strip and on hot
days I could use that 55 hp.

It's going to cost more to own and operate a Fairchild. And it's going
to take longer to get parts... you have to network (but God Save the
Internet... here we all are) . You'll be noticed wherever you fly in,
and you will be flying a wonderfully designed piece of history.

If you buy a pre-war Fairchild without a steerable tail, don't omit
insurance. My 24G, which had a free pivoting tail, is at the end of an
11 month down time because I ground looped it badly last August. The
repairs made look remarkably similar to those made in 1939 when the
aircraft was rebuilt the first time for ground loop damage. I must say
one can ground loop one many times without damage, however--- don't ask
me how I know.

We have since found several contributing factors on my aircraft
(incorrect toe-in, incorrectly installed brakes which grabbed) but I
must say the steerable tailwheel was a great invention, and I highly
recommend having one. I have added one to my 24G. (details to follow
when the 337 is signed, which may be next week)

As much as I love my Fairchild, it is a stretch for me to afford it. And
I still have very fond memories of being cramped in my old Tcraft cabin.
You can't knock any aircraft that lands as sweet and slow as a Tcraft.

Welcome to the group.

Dan Casali


--
Dan Casali
MacWizard
Box 1286 Ketchum, ID 83340
208.726.5120


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[John Duncan]

'Hello Dan,



Would you post your 337 for the steerable tailwheel installation on the website when it is complete?



Regards, John Duncan



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[John Duncan]

'Hello Dan,

Would you post your 337 for the steerable tailwheel installation on the website when it is complete?

Regards, John Duncan


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[OldOOwl@aol.com]

'Hi Dan!
I'm in the midst of restoring a 1937 24G NC19105...and am interested in that
steerable tailwheel too.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Richard Hawley
24878 Richmond Hill Rd.
Conifer, Colorado 80433
303-838-4670
_oldoowl@aol.com_ (mailto:oldoowl@aol.com)



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com


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[dcasali]

'When I have a copy of the signed off 337 I'll make all the details
available. Real Soon Now, I'm told.

OldOOwl@aol.com wrote:

>
> Hi Dan!
> I'm in the midst of restoring a 1937 24G NC19105...and am interested
> in that
> steerable tailwheel too.
> Any info is greatly appreciated.
> Thanks!
> Richard Hawley
> 24878 Richmond Hill Rd.
> Conifer, Colorado 80433
> 303-838-4670
> _oldoowl@aol.com _ (mailto:oldoowl@aol.com
> )
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
> http://www.aol.com
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

--
Dan Casali
MacWizard
Box 1286 Ketchum, ID 83340
208.726.5120


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