$5500 Grumman Tracker anyone?

[bdk]

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucindx/

[O.P.]

On the propellers, what does "Metal Contamination" mean. Does it mean they're ruined? If not, and if they could be reworked, there's two future T28 props.

[snj-5]

It mentions that both engines have "FAILED" (???).

If the engines started making metal, the engine oil would have
carried metal contaminants up into the propeller domes
and likely made a mess of things inside the hubs.

Bela P. Havasreti

[O.P.]

Hi Bella!

If the hubs are destroyed, does that render the prop blades useless? I've never thought about that before. It the prop part inside the hub is ruined, it probably wouldn't matter what the rest of the prop was like.

[Rob Mears]

HEAVILY CANNIBILED AND ALL MAJOR COMPONETS HAVE BEEN TIMED OUT.

How does the fuselage being 'timed out' affect the possibility of getting the plane (legally) airworthy again? Would registering it under the experimental category allow the owner to get around this (providing for proper inspection of course)?

[snj-5]

Hi Bella!

If the hubs are destroyed, does that render the prop blades useless? I've never thought about that before. It the prop part inside the hub is ruined, it probably wouldn't matter what the rest of the prop was like.

I'm not a prop overhaul guy by any means, but I'd think any part of the
blade shanks that were rotating inside the hubs (pitch-change
mechanism) would at least be susceptible to scoring/damage if
metal got up into the domes. Thoughts? Maybe that's why you
buy something like this Tracker dirt-cheap (basically pay no more than
the price of scrap aluminum per pound) and if you're lucky, there
will be some salvagable / useable stuff off of it.

Bela P. Havasreti

[bdk]

Looks like the N-number has been reused for a Marsh turboprop tracker conversion and this aircraft has been de-registered by the California Department of Forestry.

http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=448DF

I wouldn't think that the props would be damaged much from metal in the engine- at least not as much as leaving the domes off would! Corrosion would be my main concern, besides, those props are readily available I would think.

You have to wonder how this fire bomber was cared for if both engines are making metal at the same time.

[O.P.]

Looks like the N-number has been reused for a Marsh turboprop tracker conversion and this aircraft has been de-registered by the California Department of Forestry.

http://162.58.35.241/acdatabase/NNumSQL.asp?NNumbertxt=448DF

I wouldn't think that the props would be damaged much from metal in the engine- at least not as much as leaving the domes off would! Corrosion would be my main concern, besides, those props are readily available I would think.

You have to wonder how this fire bomber was cared for if both engines are making metal at the same time.

It kinda sounds like the "Lease Return" kinda thing. Gonna get rid of it, or give it back, so strip everything good off of it and put all of your broken stuff on it.

[krlang]

I dunno,
It looks like it has already been picked clean, but theres always someone who will do something with it.

Take an old airframe, add a couple of junk engines, throw on a pair of contaminated, wide open, AD ridden, cheap, but not easy to find fans.
Dont add any control surfaces or tailcone or cowlings.
Sounds like a good way to make alot of work out of a quick buck.

Lets buy it and turn it into WIX Mini Golf!
Or the WIX Gas Station and Waffle Emporium!