Photograph:
Taylorcraft 20 Ranchwagon ZK-BQM (c/n 20-024) at Ardmore in 1965 (Peter Lewis – Wings over New Zealand)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Four-seat cabin monoplane
Power Plant:
One 108 kw (145 hp) Continental C-145-2 six-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft)
- Length: 7.31 m (24 ft)
- Height: 2.16 m (7 ft 1 in)
- Wing area: 17.3 m² (186 sq ft)
- Max speed: 201 km/h (125 mph)
- Cruising speed: 185 km/h (115 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 213 m/min (700 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 4,877 m (16,000 ft)
- Range: 804 km (500 miles)
- Empty weight: 578 kg (1,275 lb)
- Loaded weight: 998 kg (2,200 lb)
History:
The prototype of the Model 15 “Foursome” (NX36320), powered by a 112 kw (150 hp) Franklin 6A4-150-B3 engine, was flown for the first time in 1946. However, the Company had a few problems, one of which was a disastrous fire in the production plant and this meant only one “Foursome” was completed. Production was scheduled to continue into 1947; however, financial problems led to the closure of the Taylorcraft Corporation, the plant being sold and plans for future production being cancelled.
In 1950 a new company, Taylorcraft Incorporated, was set up to manufacture the Tourist by C G Taylor at a new facility at Alliance in Ohio. The type entered production as the Model 15-A for a short period, but only a small number of aircraft were built. All were fitted with the Continental six-cylinder engine. Construction consisted of a steel-tube fuselage with fabric covering, and the wings were built of wooden spars with metal ribs, also fabric covered. Three cabin doors were provided for entry, and a fourth was available as an option.
In 1951 the Sportsman with a 48 kw (65 hp) Continental C85-12F six-cylinder engine was released, being basically the Model BC-12D. A variant with a 63 kw (85 hp) engine became known as the BC-12D-85 Sportsman and later became known as the Model 19 Sportsman. The Model 19 mainly differed from the BC-12D in the model of engine fitted.
In 1955 a new model appeared known as the Model 20 Ranch Wagon. Also a four-seat cabin monoplane, it was powered by a 168 kw (225 hp) Continental O-470-J six-cylinder engine. This utility aircraft was produced in two versions, the Model 20 Ranch Wagon for touring, and the Model 20AG Topper with provision for a dust hopper or spray tank in the rear of the cabin. In 1957 a floatplane version of the Ranch Wagon, known as the Seabird, was released. In 1958 the type was renamed the Zephyr 400.
One Model 15A Tourist (c/n 5-14020) was registered as ZK-BCM in New Zealand in June 1954 but was destroyed in a crash at Taupo in December 1967. Three Model 20 Ranch Wagons were also imported for agricultural work but were used for private purposes, these being ZK-BLX (c/n 20-013), a 20AG Topper first registered in November 1955 which was destroyed by fire in November 1957 at Kairanga; ZK-BQM (c/n 20-014), a Model 20 Ranchwagon, first registered in October 1956; and ZK-BRJ (c/n 20-024 – ex N6681N), a Model 20 Ranchwagon first registered in October 1956 which crashed at Ohura in January 1957 and was written off.