Courtesy's Firefly

[HarvardIV]

Hey Guys:

Courtesy's Firefly looks like it would be a fun project. I'm surprised noone has bought it yet. Do you think it would be worth it to rebuild? Looks like alot of money to overhaul the Merlin engine, and probably lots of rats nests inside.

Chris

[italian harvard]

I dont know much about the project, but I dont find the Firefly to be a particularly appealing warbird..

Alex

[PeterA]

Hey Guys:

Courtesy's Firefly looks like it would be a fun project. I'm surprised noone has bought it yet. Do you think it would be worth it to rebuild? Looks like alot of money to overhaul the Merlin engine, and probably lots of rats nests inside.

Chris

Merlin?

PeterA

[HarvardIV]

Did I get it wrong? Do I get a second guess? Griffon?

[Cadillac_of_the_Sky]

Does anyone know a rough ballpark number of what it would cost to restore it? I love these planes but have no experience restoring them.

[PeterA]

Did I get it wrong? Do I get a second guess? Griffon?

That's more like it.

PeterA

[srpatterson]

Does anyone know a rough ballpark number of what it would cost to restore it? I love these planes but have no experience restoring them.

$1M-$1.5M

[italian harvard]

that's it.. A not really desirable (at least for me) warbird & a pack of $$$ to spend on it.. I dont think we're gonna see it in the air soon

Alex

[Ollie]

Oh yes.

If I had the money, I would get that Firefly and have her rebuilt. And painted in RCN colours.

Oh yes.

[italian harvard]

u see? a matter of taste
The firefly always gave me the impression of a "chubby warbird"

Alex

[Cadillac_of_the_Sky]

Ollie,
You would go with RCN colors? Thats surprising, shocking even!

[Ollie]

I know.

It came to me as a revelation, eh!

[HarvardIV]

Does anyone know a rough ballpark number of what it would cost to restore it? I love these planes but have no experience restoring them.


$1M-$1.5M

Mr. Patterson:

Are you sure? Sounds kind of like a "deep pockets" price. I think at the most a Griffon would cost about $250k for an overhaul. Maybe another $30k for the prop. If all the parts are good, probably even less. After that, the hydraulics, and everything else shouldn't cost much differently than on a T-6. I'd guess maybe $350k depending if you could get a lower price on the engine overhaul.

[Firebird]

Does anyone know a rough ballpark number of what it would cost to restore it? I love these planes but have no experience restoring them.


$1M-$1.5M

Mr. Patterson:

Are you sure? Sounds kind of like a "deep pockets" price. I think at the most a Griffon would cost about $250k for an overhaul. Maybe another $30k for the prop. If all the parts are good, probably even less. After that, the hydraulics, and everything else shouldn't cost much differently than on a T-6. I'd guess maybe $350k depending if you could get a lower price on the engine overhaul.

Steve's figure is probably not far off.

I hate to think how much the late lamented RNHF Firefly would have cost to overhaul, (and it was only a re-engine and overhaul after 20 years flying) had it not been for BAe undertaking most of the work as a form of sponsorship of the flight. As I recall the aircraft was re-engined with a Griffen 58 from a Shack because Griffon 74 parts were become like hens teeth.
So what mark of Griffon does that Firefly project have for starters..?

I have to say it is a real shame someone doesn't take it on, but the world isn't exactly awash with Firefly parts, but the Canadians managed it, but how long did that take, and how many $$$..??

Hydraulics similar to a T-6....not many T-6's have folding wings as I recall

An email to CWH and the RNHF would be a good starting point.

Isn't there one in Aus undergoing a restoration to flight as well..???

[italian harvard]

Chris,

the Firefly is HUGE and filled with extra goodies (just think about the folding wings and hydraulics...), then u might put in consideration reskinnings, or even worse structural repairs/substitutions.. add to this the lack of spares... I'd say they should lower the price and sell it as spares, or give it away at a bargain price to allow Ollie to take it

Alex