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]

Model 15

Prototype, NX36320, 1 built 1944^[1]

Model 15A

Production version, 24 built^[3]

Model 16

Experimental development, NX40070, 1 built,^[1] 1946^[9]

Data from Bridgman 1947, p.294-95

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Capacity: 3 passengers
• Length: 24 ft 1 in (7.34 m)
• Wingspan: 36 ft 5 in (11.10 m)
• Height: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
• Wing area: 207 sq ft (19.2 m²)
• Empty weight: 1,650 lb (748 kg)
• Gross weight: 2,450 lb (1,111 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6A4 6-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed piston, 150 hp (110 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
• Cruise speed: 110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
• Range: 575 mi (925 km, 500 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s) (initial)
• Wing loading: 11.8 lb/sq ft (58 kg/m²)

• "Aircraft Inquiry". Federal Aviation Administration. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
• Bridgman, Leonard (1947). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1947. London: Sampson Low, Marston.
• "Briefing for Dealers & Distributors". Aviation. Albany, New York: McGraw-Hill. 17 October 1949. p. 48.
• Davisson, Budd (April 2001). "Unknown Taylorcraft". Vintage Aircraft. Oshkosh, Wisconsin: Experimental Aircraft Association. pp. 14–18.
• Sargent, Sparky Barnes (August 2017). "The Newells' Jewel". Vintage Aircraft. Oshkosh, Wisconsin: Experimental Aircraft Association. pp. 52–58.
• Simpson, R. W. (1995). Airlife's General Aviation. Shrewsbury: Airlife Publishing.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.