LC-13 "Taube" – Registry NC998W, SN 601
Built by: Vearne C. Babcock – c. 1930
Taubman Aircraft Company
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| LC-13 "Taube" at Rosemead Airfield, California, 21-May-1946 - Photo by William Larkins |
Designated the LC-13 “Taube”, the new ship was a larger and more powerful version of its predecessor. Boasting a wing span of 30 feet, 9 inches, a length of 21 feet and top speed of 150 MPH, the Taube was also equipped with an all metal propeller and an electric self starter. It was also the first Babcock built ship to be given a Group 2, Approved Type Certificate (ATC), No. 2-389. [4][5][6][7]
Only one example of the Taube was built, NC998W, and with the Great Depression in its first full year, there were few individuals who possessed the means to purchase a new airplane. The Taubman Aircraft Company seems to have had a short existence, from 1930 to about 1934. [7][8]
At some point in the 1930s the aircraft was sold to William R. Rhodes of Akron, Ohio. And in 1938, the Taube would accompany Mr. Rhodes and Babcock to Florida for the demonstration of Babcock’s newest ship, the enclosed cockpit LC-13, dubbed the Airmaster. (See LC-13 NX20490). [4][9]
While the demonstration trip ended with the crash of NX20490, enough interest was developed to form the Babcock Aircraft Corporation in DeLand, Florida where plans to build the new LC-13A were put into production. Unfortunately, bad management and the curtailing of civilian aircraft manufacturing spelled the end of the LC-13 line. [4][7][9][10][11]
Following the Second World War, NC998W and NX18165 (the only known example of the LC-13A) were sold to William Bartlett who renamed them the Blue Zephyr and Zephyr 150 respectively and opened Bartlett Aircraft Corporation, in Rosemead, California. The company proved a failure and no new examples of the LC-13 or LC-13A were built. [12][13]
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| A shot of NC998W at Rosemead, circa 1946 - Photo by William Larkins |
Special thanks to Bob Cannon for the use of this photo
NC998W was purchased by the Lazy Mary Flight Service Company of San Fernando Airport, California sometime in the 1950s, where she served as a rental aircraft. Patrons of the company could rent the monoplane for $5 an hour. [14]
Her last known owner was a Mr. Petersen in Long Beach, California who registered NC998W, on January 30, 1958. Her registration was cancelled in 23-Aug-1971, making her the longest serving of any Babcock aircraft. [15]
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| NC998W with Lazy Mary Flight Service, circa 1950s - Note the clear panel under the wings for ground observation. |
REFERENCES:
1. Business Filing Portal – Ohio Secretary of State
website – “The All-American Aircraft Company”
2. Akron, Ohio – City Directory – 1930 – Pg 1189
3. Pilot’s Handbook – 1931 – Pg 346
4. “Babcock Ready to Make Planes” – The Akron Beacon
Journal, Akron, Ohio – 19-Feb-1940, Pg 3
5. Approved Type Certificate, Group 2 – ATC 2-389
7. “My Dad: Vearne C. Babcock” – American Airman, Vol. 4,
No. 2 – Feb 1961, Pgs 15-17
8.
Aeronautics
Bulletin No. 3 “Aeronautics Trade Directory” – U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of Air Commerce – 14- Sept-1934 – Pg 4 9. The Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, Ohio – 8-Nov-1945 –
Pg 18, Col. 1
10. “New Airplane Plant Officially Opened in Deland” –
Daytona Beach Morning Journal, Daytona, Florida – 11-Jun-1940 – Pg 9
11. “To Fly the Gentle Giants: The Training of U.S. WWII
Glider Pilots” – by J. Norman Grim – Pgs 98 & 99
12. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation - 1989 - Compiled and edited by Michael J.H. Taylor - Pg 122
13. Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers – 1993 – Naval Institute
Press – Pg 40
15. FAA Website – N Number lookup – NC998W registration
I am trying to find some three views in order to build a flying model of this plane but having a hard time. Any suggestions?
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