The Taylorcraft B is a light, side-by-side two-place, single-engine, high-wing general aviation monoplane that was built by the Taylorcraft Aviation Corporation of Butler, Pennsylvania.
Production and construction
The Model B was constructed in large numbers during the late 1930s and early 1940s and was available for delivery from the factory as a land plane and a floatplane. Like many light aircraft of its day, the fuselage is constructed of welded steel tubing and covered with doped aircraft fabric. The wings are braced using steel-tube struts.
The Model B was mainly bought by private pilot owners. Large numbers were flown in the United States, and many were sold to owners in Canada and several overseas countries, including those in Europe. Many are still active in 2015.
BC
1938 - Based on the Model A with a 50 hp Continental A-50-1 engine and modified wing construction, also known as the BC-50
BCS
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BC
BC-65
1939 - Model BC with a 65 hp Continental A-65-1 engine.
BCS-65
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BC-65.
BC-12-65 (L-2H)
1941 - As BC-65 except for minor structural changes and added elevator trim tab and a Continental A-65-7 engine.
BCS-12-65
1941 - Seaplane variant of the BC-12-65
BC-12D Twosome
1945 - Postwar production version of the BC-12-65 with a Continental A-65-8 engine with alternate tail surface, alternate one piece window and other minor changes.
BCS-12D
1946 - Seaplane variant of the BC-12D
BC-12D1
1946 - As the BC-12-D with left hand door, parking brake and right-hand wing tank removed
BCS-12-D1
1946 - Seaplane variant of the BC-12D1
BC-12D-85 Sportsman
1948 - A BC-12D fitted with a 85 hp Continental C85-8F engine and increased power and gross weight.
BCS-12D-85
1948 - Seaplane variant of the BC-12D1.
BC-12D-4-85
1949 - A BC-12D-85 fitted with an extra rear side window and a Continental C85-12F engine.
BCS-12D-4-85
1949 - Seaplane variant of the BC-12D-4-85.
BF (L-2G)
1938 - Franklin 4AC-150 engine
BFS
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BF.
BF-60
1939 - As BF with a 60 hp Franklin 4AC-171 engine.
BFS-60
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BF-60.
BF-65
1941 - A BF with a 65 hp Franklin 4AC-176-B2 engine, also known as the BF-12-65 (L-2K).
BFS-65
1941 - Seaplane variant of the BF-65
BL
1938 - with a 50 hp Lycoming O-145-A1 engine, also known as the BL-50
BLS
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BL.
BL-65 (L-2F)
1939 - A BL with a 65 hp Lycoming O-145-B1 engine.
BLS-65
1939 - Seaplane variant of the BL-65.
BL-12-65 (L-2J)
1941 - A BL-65 with a Lycoming O-145-B1 engine and minor structural changes and added elevator trim.
BLS-12-65
1941 - Seaplane variant of the BL-12-65.
Data from Plane and Pilot
General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: one passenger
Empty weight: 860 lb (390 kg)
Gross weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)
Fuel capacity: 18 U.S. gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal)
Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85 four-cylinder horizontally opposed aircraft engine, 85 hp (63 kW)
Propellers: 2-bladed metal
Performance
Maximum speed: 120 mph (193 km/h; 104 kn)
Cruise speed: 110 mph (177 km/h; 96 kn)
Stall speed: 38 mph (61 km/h; 33 kn)
Range: 300 mi (261 nmi; 483 km)
Service ceiling: 17,000 ft (5,200 m)
Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
