price point for starter project AT-6

[JohnCFord]

I ran across this post for a second time in trade a plane (It's been listed for a while). It's an AT-6 that has been sitting at an airfield in SanDiego, Ca. They want 20,000 for it. What do you think about the price given the fact that it appears to be 85 to 90% in tact as far as a complete airplane. I know it needs looked much closer but from what I have learned in the past 6 or 8 months is that a lot of you guys/gals have restored planes to flying condition starting with much less. The link is as follows:

http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/Sin ... 45485.html

BTW, I know enough about projects to know this bird needs everything. Lets just say I'm poking around.

Thanks!

~J~

Oh, and have the type of Christmas that brings much needed money and rare parts, a Merry Christmas!

[cooper9411]

Just because the asking price is $20k, doesn't mean that is what one should offer. It states in the ad that it is been a static display, so it would need very extensive upgrades and repairs before it would even be close to airworthy. If you are looking to just cleanit up and keep it as a static display, fine. I would make an offer $10k and see what the owner says. If they so no then make a second offer. Judging by the pictures I don't think that to many people would justify $20k for it.

[JohnCFord]

That would explain why it's been posted for a while. I think you might have more money in it by the time it's done than you could buy turn key. At least for an AT-6. Thanks for the input.

~J~

[cooper9411]

I'm not trying to turn anyone away from the purchase, but what I stated was purely my own opinion. It may be worth the time to inspect it and see what is exactly there. Like I said I would offer $10k and go from there, who ever the owner is has to understand that there will be substantial costs invloved with transporting it, unless someone could get it running and obtain a ferry permit (highly unlikely), and the cost of restoration. Best of luck and keep us posted as to the outcome of the airplane.

[JohnCFord]

Don't worry, I'm not ready to pull the trigger just yet. Just getting some practical advise from experienced builder/restorers. I also would not expect to be able to ferry the T-6 back East. Don't know why I got T-6 fever, but I like it!

Cheers
~J~

[snj-5]

See this thread (more pics within):

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2034&hilit=Reedy

I looked at that airplane years ago (it's really an empty shell put together from parts).
Askin' and gettin' is like fishing vs catching, but I would think $20K is too high for what's
there (I paid substantially less than that for Harvard II RCAF 3134, which was damaged in a
landing accident, but virtually everything that makes a T-6 fly was there).

Courtesy had a Project T-6 for sale for $20K for awhile that was mostly there and was missing
far less stuff (some of the components were already cleaned up / restored as well).

Bela P. Havasreti

[cooper9411]

Don't worry, I'm not ready to pull the trigger just yet. Just getting some practical advise from experienced builder/restorers. I also would not expect to be able to ferry the T-6 back East. Don't know why I got T-6 fever, but I like it!

Cheers
~J~

Then also take into consideration the travel expense to get there and back.
Also in the one picture where you can see the inside, doesn't look like there is much left in there.

Last edited by cooper9411 on Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Fearless Tower]

See this thread (more pics within):

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2034&hilit=Reedy

I looked at that airplane years ago (it's really an empty shell put together from parts).
Askin' and gettin' is like fishing vs catching, but I would think $20K is too high for what's
there (I paid substantially less than that for Harvard II RCAF 3134, which was damaged in a
landing accident, but virtually everything that makes a T-6 fly was there).

Courtesy had a Project T-6 for sale for $20K for awhile that was mostly there and was missing
far less stuff (some of the components were already cleaned up / restored as well).

Bela P. Havasreti

Sounds kind of like the Palm Springs G21 Goose on Courtesy......on the outside it looks like a complete airplane......but good luck finding all the internal parts you'd need to get it back in the air!

[Taylor Stevenson]

For what you'd have in the restoration of that bird, you'd be better off buying a nice flyer. In my opinion, your best bet for a T-6 project is one of the ex-Midwest Texan airframes floating around like the one Bela mentioned that used to be for sale on Courtesy. A T-6 restoration is a major undertaking and it is exponentially easier if one starts with a project of solid components and not one that has been corroding in the elements for years. That being said, all warbirds should be saved and preserved, so if this is the project for you then go for it. 20k is too much though. I'd forecast a lot of visits to Lance!

[cooper9411]

There is another post on here about a T-6 for sale in Michigan, came down hard but is all there and probably be a better starting point.

[JohnCFord]

For what you'd have in the restoration of that bird, you'd be better off buying a nice flyer. In my opinion, your best bet for a T-6 project is one of the ex-Midwest Texan airframes floating around like the one Bela mentioned that used to be for sale on Courtesy. A T-6 restoration is a major undertaking and it is exponentially easier if one starts with a project of solid components and not one that has been corroding in the elements for years. That being said, all warbirds should be saved and preserved, so if this is the project for you then go for it. 20k is too much though. I'd forecast a lot of visits to Lance!

All understood. This is how we learn. Who is Lance?

~J~

[snj-5]

Lance Aircraft Supply:

http://www.lanceaircraftsupply.com

They have thousands of NOS parts for the T-6. Buy a T-6 project, and you'll
have them on speed-dial + you'll get a Christmas card from them every year!).

Bela P. Havasreti

[snj-5]

Here's one that's basically all there:

http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=536488

I'm thinking more like 1/2 the asking price would be a good place to start, but
at least you wouldn't be spending years replacing all the corroded parts and
sourcing all the bits that are missing on that San Diego T-6....

Bela P. Havasreti