Fleetwings XBT-12 "Sophomore"

[bdk]

I'd also suggest that you start looking for things like nuts, washers and cotter keys in bulk. I get mine from various sources and sometimes in huge quantities. For example, I lucked out and picked up almost 9000 AN960-10L and -10 washers for less than buying 500 from most of my usual sources. I managed to pick up a few thousand cotter keys in the three main sizes I need, for under 5$ total. Pays to shop around on hardware.

"D and D Collectables Inc" on eBay I suspect is part of Lance aircraft Supply in Dallas. 2,000 MS24665-132 Cotter Pins for $45 + shipping for instance. Lots of other common hardware as well; Instrument screws, identification lights, quick release pins, bearings, pulleys, tools, gaskets, safety wire, stick grips, warbird seats, Adel clamps, nutplates, switches, switch guards, etc.

[Cvairwerks]

I'd also suggest that you start looking for things like nuts, washers and cotter keys in bulk. I get mine from various sources and sometimes in huge quantities. For example, I lucked out and picked up almost 9000 AN960-10L and -10 washers for less than buying 500 from most of my usual sources. I managed to pick up a few thousand cotter keys in the three main sizes I need, for under 5$ total. Pays to shop around on hardware.

"D and D Collectables Inc" on eBay I suspect is part of Lance aircraft Supply in Dallas. 2,000 MS24665-132 Cotter Pins for $45 + shipping for instance. Lots of other common hardware as well; Instrument screws, identification lights, quick release pins, bearings, pulleys, tools, gaskets, safety wire, stick grips, warbird seats, Adel clamps, nutplates, switches, switch guards, etc.

Probably so. I use them quite a bit for some of the stuff. I'll put together a decent sized list of what I need, by full part number and start searching fleabay. The other big places I use are Spencer's and Skygeek. Skygeek is a bit hard to search on their website, but at times there are some crazy deals on stuff. Every once in a while they run a clearance sale and it gets better on some stuff.

Skygeek has the -132's priced at 16$ a thousand right now, so it pays to shop around a little.

[marine air]

Thanks guys for all the valuable suggestions and inputs. Looks like we have tons of research to do this winter. We hope to have the main wheels mounted this week and finish cleaning the 60 years of hickory tree sap and dirt off the airplane. Trying to find a solution for the tailwheel and the tailwheel unit looks quite similar to what is on a Stearman. It would've been similar to something flying before 1939-1940. Have eliminated the Staggerwing, BE-18, Howard DGA and Travelair as possible sources for the tailwheel design.
Will try to post pictures before too long.

[mike furline]

Found these,

https://www.airhistory.net/photo/681303/42-3692/23692
https://www.airhistory.net/photo/681278/39-719

On a side note, what is the trick to get the WIX search engine to work for aircraft designations? I tried using BT-12 and XBT-12 with no results found. When I used Fleetwings I was finally able to find this thread.

[Noha307]

A good 3-view of the airplane:

(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

[L-188]

Esther should call Midwest Truxton. They're in a Chicago suburb, and they operate an S58T doing aerial lift work in the midwest.

[JohnB]

Trying to find a solution for the tailwheel and the tailwheel unit looks quite similar to what is on a Stearman. It would've been similar to something flying before 1939-1940. Have eliminated the Staggerwing, BE-18, Howard DGA and Travelair as possible sources for the tailwheel design.

Was Fleetwings affiliated with anyone?
Share production facilities?

NAF?
Fairchild?
Martin?
Vought?
Considering its intended use, I'd guess the main requirement would be strength (ruggedness...so from a larger heavier ac?) and considering the aircraft was in limited production, something readily available... unless they had the money to reinvent the (tail) wheel.

Last edited by JohnB on Fri Nov 15, 2024 9:51 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnB]

Double post...

[marine air]

To give an update: progress has been slow. My mechanic got sick and baled on me. Meanwhile we are going to restore it as a static display. Found and mounted new tires on the rims dated 1936/37. For static display Michelin makes "aircraft tires" for agriculture uses and they are the correct, now obsolete size. Have sourced several period correct instruments for the cockpits. Have also been in discussions with a major museum that has the expertise and shop to bring it back to life if we can work out a trade.
It was the first use of stainless steel in a military aircraft and is a nice design. Maybe 2025 will be a year of progress for this aircraft.