Commonwealth Skyranger - full size

[Bob Zambelli]

Is anyone familiar with this plane?
I'm considering buying one and I'm trying to learn more about it.

Bob Z.

[gary tultz]

What will you do with the Piper??

[Douglas Babb]

Make sure it's in good shape before you buy, otherwise a good plane on par with the Cessna 120. The last of the Rearwin line produced by Commonwealth with 75 and then 85 hp. should be fun on your grass field.

[Bob Zambelli]

Gary asked: "What will you do with the Piper??"

Keep it, of course!!!

Doug - the fellow who has it is an A&P with many years of exprience with vintage aircraft. For 20 years, his personal "commuter" was a Staggerwing.

In any case, I will see it today and possibly take it up for a while.

Here's what one looks like - compliments of Willis Swindell.

Bob Z.

[Chris McMillin]

I believe that airplane was restored by Earl Allen in California. He is a well known airplane restorer and has done many. It should be a fine ship.
http://www.rearwin.com/skyranger.htm
Check this site, they have most info you will need.
Secure a hangar, fabric airplanes die quickly in the weather.
Chris...

[gary tultz]

Bob , didn't know it was "Vintage".Know of the Rearwin Speedster but never heard of that one.     The Rainman (not) 

[Mike Scholtes]

Hi Bob:

I say go for it if the airplane's pedigree is as good as suggested. Looks like a blend of a T-Craft BC-12 and an Aeronca Champ. I spent 1200 happy hours in my T-Craft L2M and still regret selling it 20 years ago. As a fabric airplane restorer myself I agree that you need a hanger if you don't have one already. Lovely picture of the Rearwin in its natural element, a grass field. Not many of those left in California, one major reason I got out of the hand-propped taildragger business (into the electric starting taildragger business).

[Michael Boucher]

Very pretty airplane,  Thanks for posting

[Bob Zambelli]

Gents - thanks for all the replies. I had a chance to check the Skyranger out last Thursday and aside from the somewhat faded paint, it appears to be in fine condition.
I will test fly it on Sunday but at this point, I'm not positive about buying it as there are some other birds to look at, including an Aeronca Chief and a Luscombe.
The main requirements are high wing, taildragger and side-by-side seating. Stick or yoke, no preference.
I prefer Lycoming engines but most of what I've seen are equipped with Continentals.

Bob Z.

[gary tultz]

Bob,Are there drawbacks in the metal on the Luscombe compared to the "stick & tissue" on the others? 

[Tom Hagler]

I'm working on a Skyranger 175 that belongs to one of my flight instructors. Here's my take on this plane:
Nice airplane, but there aren't many of them out there. Kind of unique at a fly-in, but parts support is just about non existent. Also, there are lots of STC'd mods for Aeroncas, like hydraulic brakes or engine upgrades. There are none for the Rearwin/Commonwealth. So if you have a 175 and want to upgrade to a C85 or O-200, you have to try and get a field approval. Those are getting hard to get these days.  I would probably go for one of the other options.

Hag

[Balsa Butcher]

Luscombe:  Good handling, stick instead of wheel , relatively fast, can be a real handful in a cross wind.  Why no mention of my favorite, Cessna 140 or 120

[Bob Zambelli]

Hi, Gary - I'm not too sure about the advantages/disadvantages of the two construction methods. For that reason, I'm in no particuler hurry. I want to talk to as many experienced people as possible.

Tom - good advice. That's why I am keeping an open mind in considering other planes - as I said, no huury!

Pete - you read my mind. I am in fact considering the little Cessna high wing taildraggers.

Maybe a nice 190/195? That should be cheap plane to buy/maintain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob Z.

[gary tultz]

190/195, wow, an engine with"Round Sounds"? 

[Mike Scholtes]

That's a joke about the 190/195, I presume? How about a Turbo Beaver if you really want a small, cheap taildragger? Or a DC-3? B-17? More seriously, Pete is right about the 120/140 series. A ragwing 140 (most are metal) would be a nice find if you and any passenger have waists not over 28 inches. The BC-12 remains the fastest of the old all fabric taildraggers, 110 mph on 4 gph!

[Bob Zambelli]

Yep, just kidding about the 190/195. As much as I'd love to have one, it's just a bit much now.

If you really want to spend some operating money, go for the AN-2 biplane. My friend sold his a few years ago - quite the plane and absolutely huge. His would fly at around 25 KTAS. 1000 HP Pratsky engine up front.

OK, mike - I will check into the BC-12. Is it tandem or side-by-side?

Bob Z.

[Mike Scholtes]

The BC-12 is side by side, dual yoke controls sticking out of the dash Cessna-style. The airplane was re-issued in modern times with a modern electrical system and electric starter. Forget the name of the builder. Original 1940s models will mostly be hand-propped. My T-Craft was the military L2M spotter plane, tandem with control sticks like a real airplane! Lots of them, including mine, are still flying. Don't know what your budget looks like, but the best thing out there is probably the Citabria series, even the base 115 hp model. All modern electricals, steel leaf gear (like Cessna), decent brakes. I am sure you know about Trade-a-Plane, both yellow paper version and on-line. A must-have resource for old plane afficianados. I was in a club that had a Super Decathalon aerobatic version, 180hp inverted fuel and oil systems (the Steve Fosset Signature Model) but that would be more in the $50 range on up. Great airplane though and easier to fly and land than the lighter taildraggers. There is an AN-2 at Livermore Airport near me and it is HUGE!

[Bob Zambelli]

OK, Mike - you convinced me on the Taylorcraft. I found two for sale, one in Florida, one in Georgia.

The Citabria is OK but I'm really after a classic and the price is right on these two - around $24K each.

Side by side seating is a must.

Check out the AN-2. Hard to believe how big it is until you're inside.

Bob Z.

[Mike Scholtes]

Well, this is ALMOST a model plane thread! These fabric planes are remarkably like a model to build and cover. Lots of similar skills and materials, just bigger. About the T-Craft, Google "Taylorcraft BC-12D" for a 1998 Bud Davisson flight report. There is also (naturally) a T-Craft Foundation and Owners Club. The T-craft gets its speed from small frontal area and a slick airfoil, and is really tight inside. The tandem version (derived from the civilian Model D) is more comfortable and has much better visibility, especially when rolling into a turn. Mine had a full greenhouse canopy with excellent visibility. The C-120/140 is a little roomier but not by much. One interesting small taildragger is a 150/152 converted to tailwheel configuration. Not a "romantic classic" but more practical. Some later BC-12D models have a small second side window and doors on both sides. You really need to spend some time in the air in one of these to see if you can along with it! Last thing, a really thorough check for spar cracks by somebody who knows what he is looking for is essential. Anything this old will have been ground looped at least once.