Warbird cost?
Sat May 19, 2007 2:06 pm
Ok this may have been posted on here before but I could not find anything on a search. So guys and gals, what and or which airplane do you think is the most affordable / under priced Warbird out there today? You should also consider operating cost in this equation.
Scott....
Scott....
Sat May 19, 2007 2:41 pm
Grasshopper? L-39?
Last edited by Nathan on Sat May 19, 2007 6:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sat May 19, 2007 3:23 pm
TBM. Can't speak for operating cost, but I think they lag the rest of the pack in terms of selling price.
I also think that some of the jet warbirds are an absolute steal. F-86s are a fraction of the cost of a Mustang, and have to be a complete blast to fly. Operating costs have to be pretty steep though.
If you want a "budget warbird", seek out an L-bird...otherwise, that's just an oxymoron.
I also think that some of the jet warbirds are an absolute steal. F-86s are a fraction of the cost of a Mustang, and have to be a complete blast to fly. Operating costs have to be pretty steep though.
If you want a "budget warbird", seek out an L-bird...otherwise, that's just an oxymoron.
Sat May 19, 2007 4:09 pm
Bang for the buck....(in my opinion)
Yak 3 or 9 Roughly $300,000.00- 500,000.00......Mustang performance (down low)
Sea Fury Roughly $395,000.00 (I think one just recently sold for that)-650,000.00 Nothing out there will outperform it (stock, anyway).
TBM $150,000.00- 300,000.00 Not the performance of the other two, but definitely a cool ride and you can carry a few of your newest friends in it.
The TBM and Yak will have similar operating costs. The Fury will be much higher. Obviously trainers, L-birds, etc. will be cheaper, but they can be a blast to fly as well.
I hope this at least gives you some ideas. There are surely plenty of other choices than what I've given, but that's just what popped into my head.
Gary
Yak 3 or 9 Roughly $300,000.00- 500,000.00......Mustang performance (down low)
Sea Fury Roughly $395,000.00 (I think one just recently sold for that)-650,000.00 Nothing out there will outperform it (stock, anyway).
TBM $150,000.00- 300,000.00 Not the performance of the other two, but definitely a cool ride and you can carry a few of your newest friends in it.
The TBM and Yak will have similar operating costs. The Fury will be much higher. Obviously trainers, L-birds, etc. will be cheaper, but they can be a blast to fly as well.
I hope this at least gives you some ideas. There are surely plenty of other choices than what I've given, but that's just what popped into my head.
Gary
Sat May 19, 2007 4:30 pm
I like the replys, I'm just asking this question to get opinions, I am having a house built so the toys and Warbirds are on the waaaaay back burner! 
But Have seen some very interesting prices across the market in the last few years.
Scott....
But Have seen some very interesting prices across the market in the last few years.
Scott....
jet
Sat May 19, 2007 4:38 pm
Randy, I have it on pretty good authority that an F-86 handles better than an F-16. I don't know if he wants be quoted, though. Also, I once heard Hoover asked for his favorite plane. He said a Mustang when everything is working right, but since everything never is maybe a F-86. I wonder how practical it is to have a Sabre as your everyday warbird.
Sat May 19, 2007 8:04 pm
chinese nanchang, or the russian version, beech mentor, from what i see in trade a plane magazine. some warbirds are cheap to buy, but a money pit to maintain or restore. and with the gas price thing.........well, i guess nothing is a bargain. 
Warbird Costs
Sat May 19, 2007 8:11 pm
F-86? 500 gallons an hour? That's enough for 42 hours of flight in the
L-5. They do look cool.
I think the C-45/AT series are undervalued as warbirds. You can pick up one for less than 200K or so, in pretty good shape, and operational costs are not going to kill you. The C-47 market is pretty depressed nowadays, and there are a lot out there with real combat history. Both of those aircraft are well supportable.
As far as aircraft designed for combat, I don't think there are deals other than the TBM out there. I keep trying to convince my wife to buy the old FPS one in Canada, which is down to $95,000. But it is now competing with a restored one with prop AD and mid time engine for $165,000.
L-5. They do look cool.
I think the C-45/AT series are undervalued as warbirds. You can pick up one for less than 200K or so, in pretty good shape, and operational costs are not going to kill you. The C-47 market is pretty depressed nowadays, and there are a lot out there with real combat history. Both of those aircraft are well supportable.
As far as aircraft designed for combat, I don't think there are deals other than the TBM out there. I keep trying to convince my wife to buy the old FPS one in Canada, which is down to $95,000. But it is now competing with a restored one with prop AD and mid time engine for $165,000.
Sat May 19, 2007 8:28 pm
Well, the F-86 is a good choice but you simply can't put gas in it.
Next up, L-39 or Sea Fury, the L-39 is cheap and there are lot's of spare parts, ect. Sea Fury, awesome performance, I've heard they're fun to fly, but gas, man it always boils down to gas...
Next up, L-39 or Sea Fury, the L-39 is cheap and there are lot's of spare parts, ect. Sea Fury, awesome performance, I've heard they're fun to fly, but gas, man it always boils down to gas...
Sat May 19, 2007 8:59 pm
AS far as the L/O birds go, I'd say the O-2's are a great value. They are underpriced compared to the others ( esp the O-2/L-19, and even the T-34). Yes, there are 2 engines to feed, but the parts are off the shelf, the aircraft is unique in appearance. CLT is a huge safety factor, and most are combat vets with easily obtainable histories.
Sat May 19, 2007 9:16 pm
T-41! Mescalero
The jet warbirds are not cheap to operate. We recently traded the T-33 for a SNJ-4 and are very happy now.
The jet warbirds are not cheap to operate. We recently traded the T-33 for a SNJ-4 and are very happy now.
Sat May 19, 2007 10:05 pm
On warbird cost.....for purchase price, maybe it should be classified in five, six or seven digit categories. We are after all in a whole new realm of 'the men and the boys and the price of their toys.'
Not being a pilot, I'm content to volunteer on other peoples' stuff. All that costs me is half a tank of gas in the truck.
Just some thoughts.
Canso42.
Not being a pilot, I'm content to volunteer on other peoples' stuff. All that costs me is half a tank of gas in the truck.
Just some thoughts.
Canso42.
Sun May 20, 2007 12:52 am
Propeller driven T-28 especially A model.
Jet L-29
Jet L-29
Re: jet
Sun May 20, 2007 7:44 am
Bill Greenwood wrote:Randy, I have it on pretty good authority that an F-86 handles better than an F-16.
That wouldn't surprise me at all, although it's an interesting choice of words, "handles". The Viper is completely digital and it doesn't really buffett when you play into a turn. Hell, you don't even have a switch to put the flaps down -- it happens automatically when you lower the gear.
Where the Sabre lags is thrust, meaning that it will not sustain a tight turn like the Viper will...
I'd love to fly one, and love to own one. Don't think it's going to happen on an Uncle Sam budget, though.
Sun May 20, 2007 9:50 am
L-5 For sure!