Model 15 | |
---|---|
Role | General purpose monoplane |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Taylorcraft |
First flight | November 1, 1944 [1] |
Introduction | 1950 [2] |
Number built | 25 Model 15/15A [3] + 1 Model 16 [1] |
The Taylorcraft 15, which entered production as the 15A Tourist was an American-built general-purpose high-wing monoplane of the 1950s. [4] [5] It was a four-seat development of the two-seat Taylorcraft BC, fitted with a more powerful engine. [1]
The Model 15 is a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane of conventional configuration with an enclosed cabin and fixed tailwheel undercarriage. [6] Seating is 2+2 style, and the cabin is equipped with dual controls. [6] Power was originally supplied by a 125-hp (93.3-kW) Lycoming O-290 engine, [7] mounted tractor-fashion and driving a two-bladed wooden propeller. [6] The fuselage and tail are built from welded steel tube, covered in fabric. [6] The wing is of mixed wood and metal construction, also covered in fabric. [6] Long V-struts brace the wings to the lower longeron of the fuselage. [6] The wing is equipped with manually-operated flaps and fixed, leading-edge slots. [6]
The Model 15 was designed in 1943–44, perhaps with the input of Taylorcraft founder C. G. Taylor. [7] The prototype, registered NX36320, first flew on November 1, 1944. [1] During testing, the Lycoming engine proved insufficiently powerful, [7] and it was replaced with a Franklin 6A4-150-B3 of 150 hp (120 kW). [1] [6] [7]
Plans to put the aircraft into production were stopped by a 1946 fire at the Taylorcraft factory at Alliance, Ohio that destroyed jigs, dies, and fixtures that were prepared for its manufacture. [6] Shortly thereafter, the company was forced into bankruptcy. [6] [7] The prototype Model 15 was purchased along with the rest of the company assets by Ben Mauro, who by 1949 was able to relocate it to a new factory at Conway, Pennsylvania. [7] [8] He re-commenced production of the Model B family, and put the Model 15 into production. [1] However, sales of general aviation aircraft in the 1950s were slow, and fewer than 30 examples were built before Taylorcraft had to cease operations again. [1]
Data from Bridgman 1947, p.294-95
General characteristics
Performance