Restoration ID Question

[tulsaboy]

Hypothetically, if I had the substantial portions of a WWII warbird that I was restoring to fly (something like a Swamp Ghost, one of those jungle-bound Bettys, etc.) that could be ID'd by its serial # on its tail but whose data plate was long ago removed by souvenir hunters, could I establish its ID with the FAA to make it legal to fly?

If I had the parts of, say B-24J 42-51430 but no data plate, would I need to go find the data plate for another B-24 (like 42-51874) and then use that serial # to register the aircraft?

I'm also thinking of the various pieces and parts of B-17 and B-24 airframes that are around. If someone wanted to assemble all of those pieces and parts, how could you register the aircraft with the FAA? Would you just have to pick an ID an go with it?

kevin

[JimH]

Just register it as an experimental aircraft.

Jim

[bdk]

You can't register a serial number unles you can show ownership. You would need a bill of sale from the US government along with the entire ownership trail up until you filed the registration paperwork. If you had the appropriate export documentation for Swamp Ghost you could use that as a basis for your registration since a foreign government has validated your title to the aircraft.

You could alternatively buld the aircraft up from parts and register it as a "tulsaboy/Consolidated B-24" (assuming it fit into standard category). Basically you are using parts to build an aircraft compliant with the original type certificate. I'm not sure if the FAA still lets you do this anymore though.

You could also do experimental exhibition. A Betty would have to go this way regardless since it is not a type certified aircraft. Limitations may be imposed that you can only attend airshows and displays or use the aircraft for recurrency training. Limitations for homebuilts (amateur built aircraft) are typically very leneint with respect to personal transportation usage ($100 hamburger).