Warbird Information Exchange

I have been a pilot for 20+ years, aircraft owner for 10+. I have a late model Pitts S-2B that is paid for and I can afford to fly it i.e. if anything were to break on it, I know I could write a check to fix it (although I couldn't make that claim when I bought my first single seat Pitts 10 years ago - it was a stretch then but I wanted it bad enough so I made it work.)

When I first made the jump to aircraft owner, I found lots of references on cost of ownership of GA and aerobatic aircraft that were helpful, while not always gospel truth. Now I'm looking forward to see if my lifelong goal of warbird ownership is attainable without breaking the family business and looking for helpful thoughts on cost of ownership - average range of annuals, average range of overhauls, average range of insurance (I have about 3,000 hours, lots of tw time and a comercial license with lots of ratings), etc. I'm primarily looking at a T-6 with an eventual path to a Seafury or Mustang if I'm fortunate enough.

Looking for advice from those that have been there - I've got lots of advice from those that haven't, or haven't even owned a plane before. Not interested in that. But if you'd care to share any real world costs of owning a T-6, Mustang, Seafury or other non-exotic warbird, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks,

Josh

T-6 = 35GPH 1340 = $35,000, acquisition cost = $120,000+ ... Insurance? based on experience... estimated per hour cost $400 at a minimum

Jim

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Jim's right on. R-1340 TBO = 1200hrs Depends on where you get it O/H'd but I've seen mid $30s to the upper $40s (with core). Right now is a buyer's market for T-6s. Insurance runs $3000-4500+, like Jim said, depending on experience. It's a great airplane, just treat it right. Sounds like you'd be fine with your Pitts time, just more mass to deal with. Get a good checkout though with plenty of dirty turning stalls.

At $5.50/gal fuel I'd Jim's spot on at around $300-400/hr to operate if you fly it 50 hours in a year depending on who does your annuals. Plus, you need to remember the wingspan is 42 feet and is too tight a squeeze for most T-hangars...

But, it IS the key for the bigger stuff. Jump in head first!

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Taylor Stevenson

Stearmans are cheap to operate. Not much in the way of systems. Probably the same for an annual as a Cessna 150. Fuel consumption depends on engine. 10-11 GPH for a 220 HP Continental? My memory is fuzzy! Engine overhauls aren't expensive either, but parts may be getting harder to find than when I had mine 20 years ago.

The expensive parts on a Stearman are the wooden wings and the fabric.

Taylor where do you find the #'s R-1340 TBO =1200?
Chuck

Taylor where do you find the #'s R-1340 TBO =1200?
Chuck

That's what the overhaulers say, but mine had 1600 hours when I sold it and it only used 1 quart an hour then, nice and tight motor, there is no TBO on a 1340.

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Stoney is right as there isn't a TBO requirement.
They are "On condition".
As long as it meets specs and FARs it can continue in operation.

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

Flybipe, why would you want to step down from an S-2B to a T-6? Just kidding, just kidding! I have the same ambitions.

(although there's always some truth to a joke... there's not too many better airplanes out there than a Pitts!)

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Life's a Pitts

I agree, thats why I was asking.
Chuck

The engine builders give some recommendations based on their experience with what comes into the shop.

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

That's funny, there is absolutely nothing that flys quite like a Pitts! (And if I play my cards right, I hope to be able to hang on to it.)

The other T-6 info provided by the rest of you is helpful. I had not considered the 42' wingspan but my hangar is a really large T so I will have to measure tomorrow. In the past I've had both my S-1T and S-2B in there plus an Extra 300L I was leasing space to, all at the same time...perhaps some sort of a record for a T hangar designed to hold one airplane.

I'm also interested to hear any similar numbers on the Mustang or a Seafury. I realize these birds are a whole different ball game but am curious if they are even in the attainable ball park or just a bridge too far. I can calc fuel costs, but interested in hearing, for example, what an annual, a prop overhaul, an engine overhaul, a set of tires, a brake job, etc. cost on one of these birds.

Keep it coming!

If your hangar can fit a T6, a P51 will fit with room to park a car next to it....

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Before I sold my SNJ, I thought take the cost of fuel per hour times 4 for a wag on the cost per year times the hours planned on flying.

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Plenty of good buys on barnstormers at the moment.

What are the real *sale* prices for warbirds these days? I guess T-6 to stay on topic but I just saw an article about a someone buying a flying TBM (FPL tanker 3) for $60k a few years ago or so with a few others going for around the same. Asking price for these flyers started at $150K.

So there are T-6s ranging from $120-190 and projects asking $30K (and they prob need 150k+) but what are they really worth? I'd like something in the next three years myself but it seems like PT-19 or BT-13 are better deals.

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Cessna 195