Warbird Information Exchange

Hello Guys:

Just talked to a guy who has 15 Stearman projects for sale in Indiana. He's selling them for $19,000 each. Probably a cool bird to start out rebuilding..

Chris

I wonder who that could be? I thought I knew all of the stuff around in that neck of the woods.. Wait a minute is he around Albany Indiana?

Not sure Brokenwrench. I just called him for parts..

Chris

While we're on the subject, what's the general market value for a derelict ex-sprayer Stearman. I have a line on a number of them and was just curious about a ball park figure for airframes that are largely complete but need a complete ground up restoration. There's also the factor of the sprayer modifications made to the fuselage. Any clues would be great.

Rob

_________________
Rob Mears
'Surviving Corsairs' Historian
robcmears@yahoo.com
http://www.robmears.com

Is this consideed a good deal? I might be interested, depending on just how much of a "project" they are.

Hi Randy:

These Stearmans were cropdusters, and need fabric recovering. They also need engines and props. It looks like they need pretty thorough going through.

Chris

Ahh, gotcha...the motor was the part I had the biggest question about.

I'd think re-covering would be a given for any project, though.

Thanks Chris.

Hi Randy:

You may be able to negotiate with him too. I'll sned you his phone # if you want it..

Chris

Depending on how long they were used as sprayers and how badly abused they were, figure on replacing most of the tubing from the rear cokpit forward other than the main longerons. Most of the stuff they run through those birds eats the steel tubing alive. Also pay close attention to the gear and wing attach fittings and the welds for them. Dusting puts lots of stress on the airframe in those areas.

Not to rain on anyone's parade or anything, but a duster Stearman - even an "airworthy" one, can be a real wolf in sheep's clothing. I'm not saying they're not worth pursuing (both of mine were dusters until they got wrecked) but they are a BIG job. If there's no corrosion in the fuselage frame - and sometimes there isn't - and if it hasn't been butchered too badly in the conversion, then repairing that part of it isn't too big of a deal (although that's one of those relative statements) and there are some shops out there with fuselage jigs. Find out about the wings though. Are they stock wings or the "high lift" duster wings? If they're the latter then they're just scrap. If they're the former then all you really are interested in is what condition the hardware inside the wings is in, as nine times out of ten the wood is scrap. But you can get brand new wing kits with all new wood that are REALLY nice. And most of the fuselage bits will be missing, like the stringer baskets, all the fwd cockpit stuff, almost all of the cowlings, etc, etc.

So what they boil down to generally is if the fuselage and the wing hardware is in relatively good condition it will only cost you the larger portion of about a hundred US G's and four or five years of labour to resurrect a duster. But, you don't have to spend the money all in one big bash - you can pick away at it. EVERYTHING in the way of parts are available, as are the drawings and the manuals - plus it's a relatively easy airplane to restore. Boeing made good stuff - still does. But in the end, especially if you figure your labour into it, you won't make any money on it.

But they make great pets!

Cheers,
Dan

Dan -

Excellent post, thank you.

I'd also recommend looking through the archives of the Stearman Restorers Association Forum for information regarding the topic of duster conversions: http://www.stearman.net/forum/index.cfm

Ryan Keough

Stearmans,

I wondered about the Hi-lift wings too. Have also seen the cropduster version with the 220 Continental, 450hp. P&W, and the 600 hp. P&W. WHt ae the aircraft rigged for? We have one in the area with a metalized aluminum fuselage.
Would it be possible to use an ex duster as the basis for a full scale replica Gloster Gladiator fighter?
I have heard of a full scale Boeing P-12E fighter replica being built up from a Stearman fuselage and engine in the 1980's in the US.
It sounds like a lot of welding and woodwork is required anyway, and I know a replica fighter could probably get some airshow appearances.
Any Ideas?

Saw a Stearman here in CA a few years ago at an air show that had been modified lightly, to represent a Grumman fighter, but other than the cockpit canopy, wheel pants, cowling, and upper aerlons, it was still a Stearman............

_________________
Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Better yet, you can contact the people who are selling the Stearmans, and see what work they really need instead of relying on speculation.