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i-Gear Turner T-40

By Bill Betts, EAA 9946


P. 0. Box 225, Watkinsville, Ga.

Y OU CAN SAY that a total construction time for build-


ing an airplane is measured in years, but this is
somewhat misleading. The layout work for my Turner
siderable time between order and delivery, thereby ex-
tending the period of construction.
Gene Turner's plans were found to be very clear on
T-40 began in August, 1962, but when you figure that all points, and anyone seriously desirous of building this
work was generally possible only on weekends, this does airplane could certainly do so if he is able to make
not work out too badly. Because of the nature of my work relatively simple items of furniture. In choosing your
as a manufacturer's representative, there was no other plans, you will have to look long and hard to equal this
time available for it. set from Gene Turner.
Also, considerable difficulty was experienced in lo- This airplane was built with hand tools found in
cating parts and materials, with very little being available any home workshop. The only power equipment that I
as surplus in this area. This made it necessary to pur- had was a combination tilt arbor table saw, and a jointer.
chase new hardware and materials, thus consuming con- (Continued on next page)

This series cf pictures points up what a fine looking and clean airplane the Turner T-40 is, even with a tri-gear. N-191T
has an exceptionally smooth finish, contributing greatly to its performance. The tail has been slightly altered from the
original and, whereas the prototype's canopy and turtleback were a combined unit, the Betts version has a transparent
turtleback that flows back further and more gracefully for a nicer appearance.
SPORT AVIATION 35
TRI-GEAR TURNER T-40 . . .
(Continued from page 35)

TURNER T-40, N191T SPECIFICATIONS


Span . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 ft. 3 in.
Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 ft.
Net weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850 Ibs.
Gross weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,250 Ibs.
Cruising speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 mph plus
Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 miles, no reserve
Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Continental C-85-12F at 85 hp

STITS PROPELLER SPINNER


F.A.A. Approved
For most light aircraft using fixed
pitch propellers on horizontal op-
posed engines. Size 8" diameter x
11V length. Installation kit in-
cludes all hardware with cut out
templates and illustrated mount-
ing instructions.
Each Prepaid . . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00
STITS AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
P. O. Box 3084-S Riverside, Calif. 92509

36 OCTOBER 1967
The total cost of approximately $2,500.00 includes the it is low enough to permit use of a cabin speaker with
cost of this equipment, a gas welding outfit, a Narco the Narco Mk. 3.
Mk. 3 radio and, for the most part, all new instruments. The second flight was made on December 22, and it
All of the metal work was done by hand except for flew hands off! It has a rate of climb of 800 fpm at 120
the propeller spinner assembly and several aileron and mph. It will cruise at 145 mph indicated at 4,000 ft., with
flap hinge assemblies which required turning on a metal power setting of 22 in. manifold pressure and 2,400 rpm.
lathe. This work, as well as some of the critical welding, The stall characteristics are good, with a stall at about
was done by Charles Read of Atlanta, Ga. Chapter 6. It 65 mph without flaps, and about 60 mph with 30 degrees
is noteworthy that Charlie Read's name is connected of flap. Jim Dixon says that it handles like a little
with almost all homebuilts completed in the area. "Bonanza."
Fiberglas work was done by pulling a female mold
off plaster plugs, then making the part inside the mold
thus obtained. Parts come from the molds in almost WEST COAST AIR SERVICE
glass-smooth condition, which reduces the time usually 931 LONGVIEW AVENUE
PISMO BEACH, CALIF. 93449
spent in sanding and finishing. It is also possible to lay
GAS TANK CAPS AND NECKS ..................... .9 4.75
up the parts in finish color, as well as make replacements WELDABLE FLANGE FOR ABOVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.40
if necessary. Much credit for the fiberglas work should WELDABLE TANK BOSSES3/a pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(0
DELCO-REMY GENERATORS25 amp. for Continental.. 35.00
go to Bill Brown of Athens, Ga., who spent many hours NAV LITESTeardrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pr. 4.00
assisting in this phase of the project, as well as helping QUIK DRAINS'/, Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.00
me to solve the many problems encountered in modifying PT-22 WINDSHIELDSSurplus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.50
LEWIS EXHAUST TEMPERATURE GAUGE KIT . . . . . . . . . 39.95
the canopy and converting to tri-gear. TURN AND BANKS SPECIAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
Most of the inspections were handled by Chet Good- T & B RESTRICTOR VALVES NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.25
PESCO VACUUM PUMPS3P194New Spline or
win out of the Atlanta FAA offices, and he certified the Tongue Dr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.00
airplane on December 11, 1966. Chet was very helpful as VACUUM REGULATOR VALVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.50
OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGES2Vi" DialsNEW . . . . . 10.50
well as most pleasant, and it was a real pleasure to work OIL PRESSURE GAUGES2VV Dials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.00
with him. The first flight was on December 17 with Jim OUTSIDE AIR TEMPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.00
Dixon at the controls. Slight rigging adjustments were ELECTRIC TACH SETSComplete M. O. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.50
STABILIZER JACK SCREW KITSNEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.00
indicated, as well as changes in baffles to allow more FL. 3-WAY GAS VALVESNEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.00
air flow around the cylinders. There was a bit of trouble SCOTT GAS GAUGESNEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.50
3-IN-l GAUGESNEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
with oscillation of the main gear fairings at take-off AIRSPEEDS0 to 200 Kts.NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.00
speed, but this seemed to be the result of several con- PQ-U PROPSNEW/SURPLUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.00
SPARK PLUGSBGFit most enginesNEW . . . . . . . . . . 1.00
ditions which have since been corrected. C-10SFor FranklinBox of 1 0 . . . . . . . . . . .. 600
The whole cabin area is doubled skinned . . . outer 1" PINKED TAPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roll 1.25
TURNBUCKLES, ROD ENDS. HARDWARE, ETC.
and inner . . . with fiberglas insulation all the way be- ALL PRICES F.O.B. POSTAGE WITH ORDER, PLEASE
tween the double skins. Noise level is very low; in fact,

These NPA Wings C. P. 60 "Diomont"


3-Seater. "Super-DIa-
mant" 4-Seoter. Over
100 drawings. All-

will make your wood construction. Re-


tractable tricycle U/C:
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flying safer... _- Plans: $100.

more fun ... C. P. 328 "Super-Em-


eroude." 2-seater side

less costly! by side, fully aerobat-


ic as single-seater. All
wood construction.
Plans: $60.
National Pilots Association is a
non - profit, member - controlled
organization offering you:
Representation in Washington your voice to
FAA, CAB, FCC, etc.
News and Service Bulletins pending regula-
tions, safety tips, etc. C. P. 750 "Beryl" 2-
seater tandem, steel
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Auto Rentals FLYING Magazine wing, fully aerobatic.
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group rates BENEFITS.
For complete information, mail this coupon now.

1346 Connecticut Ave. N.W.,


Washington, D.C. 20036 Y. C. 12 "Tourbillan."
Single-seater. Fully aer-
Send me complete information about benefits obatic. All wood con-
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Plans: $60.
NAME

STREET
Send $2.00 per aircraft for 3-view drawing, photo and ipcci to:

CITY. . . STATE. ZIP..... E. LITTNER


EAA-9 54683rd AVE., LAVAL-CHOMEDEY, QUEBEC, CANADA

SPORT AVIATION 37

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