Firefly for Sale!

[daveymac82c]

I don't know if anyone looking for one, but here's a Firefly I found on barnstormers. It looks rather complete and it would be really nice to see it take to the air again. It sounds like it's certainly got the potential. For pictures you'll have to find the ad on their website.

I wish I had the $220,000 they want.

FAIRY FIREFLY • $220,000 • AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SALE • Complete Fairy Fly has a engine with less that 100hrs new propeller.This aircraft has not been taken apart it been stored inside for years.Numerous brand new parts still in their boxes or creates.This aircraft is complete.Vast number of spare parts and engine records during preservation. • Contact William C. Ford - NEWFOUNDLAND AIRPORT HISTORICAL SOCITY located Gander, Canada • Telephone: 709 895-2344 709 256-6078 • Posted April 3, 2007 • Show all Ads posted by this Advertiser • Recommend This Ad to a Friend • Email Advertiser • Report This Ad

[Bill Greenwood]

Should anyone seriously consider buying this Firefly, take a look at Q G Aviation in Ft.Colins, Co. for restoration. They did Ed Kurziel's almost total rebuild that one best post war fighter at EAA Oshkosh.

[Mark V]

It's a pity the seller cannot even spell the name of the aircraft

[airnutz]

It's a pity the seller cannot even spell the name of the aircraft

Well now Mark V, don't rush to judgement. Maybe he didn't mispell...maybe he thinks his airplane is gay.
Might be a bargain there if you play your cards right...

[tom d. friedman]

this bird is for sale quite often. is it a hangar queen???

[AirJimL2]

Is this the former Steve Alex bird that was recently for sale for around $100K? If so nice price jump.

Tom - I think the problem with this project is the vast amount of resources (read money) needed to get it flying, for what in the U.S. at least, is an almost unknown warbird. I've heard some real horror stories on the $$ spent by Mr. Kurziel for his Firefly. Would be nice to see another Firefly in the air though.

Jim

[mrhenniger]

Is this the airframe that completed restoration about 5 years ago? I think it was flown once and parked if that is the case. If it is, then it is the sister airframe to the one at the Canada Aviation Museum (in storage) in Ottawa. Those were two airframes which came out of Ethiopia about 15 years ago.

Mike

[Bill Greenwood]

AirJim, Eddied certainly spent a good bit of money on his restoration, I saw much of the work by Tim and Ray over the years, but remember if the same shop did another if these it would be cheaper and quicker the second time. Eddie did not want to just get it flying, he wanted and got a first class restoration and to make it very original. As for being a Fairey or a Fairy, all I can say is that Griffon sure sounds macho. I'd like to have it on the front of a Spitfire.

[Michel Lemieux]

Mike:

Is this the airframe that completed restoration about 5 years ago? I think it was flown once and parked if that is the case. If it is, then it is the sister airframe to the one at the Canada Aviation Museum (in storage) in Ottawa. Those were two airframes which came out of Ethiopia about 15 years ago.

Not flown or completed yet

[Michel Lemieux]

Seems complete, wonder where it originally came from .

From what I know, only 2 airframes came out of Ethiopia. One went to Ottawa & the other to Shearwater.

[daveymac82c]

I imagine the cost an work required to bring a Fairey Firefly to flight status would be fairly similar to getting a Westland Lysander flying.

Probably worth it in the long run, but darn expensive. I don't really know the situation on parts availability, but I imagine it isn't the easiest plane to find parts for.

Cheers,

David

[AirJimL2]

Yep that is WD833. (Ausi by way of England.) For sale until recently through a few outlets for $100K. What a price jump, eh.

Jim

[AirJimL2]

From what I know, only 2 airframes came out of Ethiopia. One went to Ottawa & the other to Shearwater.

Yes, but there was a later recovery of a few more out of Africa. I can't remember the number or where they found them, but they did include a rare two seater and I think they were more ex-RCN birds. Anyone know what happened to those projects?

Jim

[marine air]

Have you ever seen Mr. Kurziel's / QG Aviation Firefly up close? It is a spectacular restoration. Not one but two cockpits, not a merlin but a griffon to contend with, folding wings and there aren't exactly any shops around cranking out new parts like on a Mustang.
the attention to detail is exceptional. All those bells, whistles, and markings that make it so very British. If you stand there and really look it over, the wheel wells, the second cockpit, etc. it's easy to see millions going into it's restoration. It's impressive.

[Chad Veich]

Have you ever seen Mr. Kurziel's / QG Aviation Firefly up close? It is a spectacular restoration. Not one but two cockpits, not a merlin but a griffon to contend with, folding wings and there aren't exactly any shops around cranking out new parts like on a Mustang.
the attention to detail is exceptional. All those bells, whistles, and markings that make it so very British. If you stand there and really look it over, the wheel wells, the second cockpit, etc. it's easy to see millions going into it's restoration. It's impressive.

I've heard rumour that it has been appraised at 10 million dollars. Of course, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay in reality.