Warbird Information Exchange

EXACTLY......only talk to people who have owned or actually flown whatever you are looking at. They will tell you what they like/dislike about the airplane.

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President National Waco Club
Curator for the Waco Historical Society Air Museum
Writer for VINTAGE AIRPLANE, SKYWAYS, BARNSTORMERS.COM EFLYER

Cessna 140s are great. Mine does around 100kts on 85hp with a cruise prop. A 150 is bigger but not by much. The flaps are pointless, they drop the stall speed by 5mph and change the view when landing a bit. Things to look for are corrosion (this goes for all old planes), brakes, axles, and metal wings. The original goodyear brakes are getting hard to find parts for. They also have a pin in them that can break and lock up the brake. Cleveland brakes are the usual fix but they are overkill for such a small light plane, use them sparingly. The hollow axles can snap too. The same size axles are used on the Cessna 170 and they had problems breaking. Solid aluminum axles or hollow steel axles are common fixes. Metalized wings may add or detract from the value. They add weight and the one I flew popped and vibrated very loudly at a certain airspeed. It all depends on if a skilled A&P did the work or a high school shop class. Just my quick run down of the plane.

At the moment, when not at work, I have a PA-12 while my 140 gets some work done on it. I am lucky to get 85kts out of it and it burns 6.5 gph. Supposedly its a three seat aircraft but the people in the back better be small or like each other a lot. I've always found Cubs to be really easy to land. The long wing, long fuselage Pipers are fairly forgiving. Cubs and Cruisers are fun but I'm a firm believer that if you don't need the STOL performance there are better and more comfortable aircraft to choose from. The PA-12 I fly, along with most I've seen, are fairly spartan with their interiors and instrument panels. It's a jeep and its a lot of fun on floats.

I have a little time in a Stinson 108-1 too. Sort of a big plane to be flying solo all the time in but I love this plane. The engine, if it still has the Franklin, might be hard to get parts for. PZL took over the rights to the design and they have actually been pretty good about getting parts. Great handling, easy to land, and the last affordable four place taildragger out there.

I've got a nice Tigermoth and an Aeronca Champ for sale at present.
Both are fun first airplanes

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...it was a plane adrift beneath the moon moving serenely thru beams like an angel of the night .....fair as a song ........aloof from mortal dreams

Aeronca Chiefs or "Cheaps" are a great value. I particularly like the post war 11CC with an 85hp or 100hp continental, starter and electrical system, heater. long range fuel, and nav lights. You can build your tailwheel time, cross country and night hours and go into airports with a control tower. Since it has an electrical system you can even practice a few of the requirements towards an instrument rating.
The wings, struts, tailfeathers, wheels and engine are interchangeable with the L-16 should you find a warbird project. The Chief also performs well on floats.
The pre-war chiefs are lighter and preferred by seaplane pilots. The instrument panel has a funky, art-deco layout which is very cool but no electrical system.
You can buy them all day long with fresh engine overhauls and good fabric for under $25K.