JohnB wrote:
I love old airplanes, but I'd have a hard time paying $20,000 for an incomplete fighter.
How many complete fighters are available for around $25,000? Would you pay $45,000 for a serviceable Mustang Fuselage? Spitfire fuselage? Corsair center section with light oxidation? Of course you would.
This is a historic jet, built as a TF-80C and the second YF-94. If anything she should be in a Lockheed Museum! Certainly, the plane here is the last and only example of its kind available to a civilian. There are no comps for the value of an F-94, let alone any F-89 or F-86D in civilian hands or available for sale. Jet fighters are generally owned by the government and any T-33 or other plane that used to be in USAF or USN service must be shredded before it is disbursed to one of us. It is doubtful anyone will have the finances, will and skill set needed to restore this prototype to flight. Even doubtful someone will use a spare T-33 wing to make a static. But that’s not really important to the hopeful buyer of this artifact.
The buyer of this plane will need to be like the past owner of the plane who when his work day was done, would go in the back hard and polish his fighter jet and dream of better things. Some guys go home and do the same in 1/32 scale, but this guy was a dreamer and sort of a doer too. Believe me when I say that I would like a MiG something by the pool when I build my new house, and a $20K budget is about right for that. So this isn’t out of the ballpark by too much. For many who don’t own airplanes, can’t pilot one, and want to save a Warbird, here is your chance. It’s never cheap. It’s never easy, and it never comes at the right time. Deal with it and caretake this plane for the next 30 years. If someone saves it long enough....it may truly come into its own in value. After all, where can you find another one?
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcom ... 000544225/
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
