Merlin for sale in my local paper!

[yellowkid]

I don't really post -- just listen and learn -- but had to put this out there for the guys that might have a use for this! my local Craigs list has a Merlin for sale -- owned by their deceased father. crazy no?! see link below:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/clt/4836609175.html

curious to know more form the experts.

[Triplane102]

Thanks for posting that, Y.K, This should be interesting & educational as well.

[Randy Wilson]

Umm - over to the RR experts but could this be a Merlin II based on the info and images provided?

Randy

[DH82EH]

It certainly looks like an early model. It'll be interesting to hear, what it ends up flying in!

Andy Scott

[shrike]

Identical ad on Phoenix Craigslist

[Sopwith]

Have a look over on the Flypast historic forum re Merlin advert.

[Russ Blow]

Its all over Craigslist. UK, Germany saw it in San Diego etc. Could be legit but be careful out there!

http://heidelberg.en.craigslist.de/clt/4812803428.html

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/clt/4834390562.html

[Sopwith]

I remember a few years back there was an Allison advertised in a similar way but if I recall correctly, the way things turned out, there was no substance to it.

[DH82EH]

I received a letter in the mail today from the de Havilland Moth club.
A member is warning others about being defrauded out of a rather large sum of money in regards to purchasing an engine.
(in this case a Le Rhone). The buyer, in good faith, sent a substantial deposit with the promise of balance after the engine had been inspected.
The engine never showed up. Long story short, this gentleman is out his deposit with no practical recourse.
Buyer beware!

Andy

[makin' boost]

This appears to be the same engine posted in the WIX Flea Market Parts section in late November 2014.
In the vintage car arena this ad would raise more than one red flag, just sayin' ...............

[Pooner]

Scam? Geez. I dunno....

I'd seen this before in a CL posting here in AZ and had made query, but "seller" wasn't quite sure of where Tucson was in my relation to PHX and changed location of said item from outside AZ to points yonder only when pressed to do a visual inspection.

Instead, "seller" upped the panic factor of a pending sale to yet another frantic buyer and had encouraged me to to supply banking data to "prove" I was a legitimate buyer for such a pricless artifact that had garnered such overwhelming response to their advertising. Of course, they wanted to make sure I had a chance at this great buy in the event their deal fell through, but they'd make a decision soon. THEY were worried re. a "ripoff." On CL, of all places. Can you imagine such a thing? Dang.

They were kind enough to request that, essentially, if I showed them mine (banking data) they'd show me theirs. It would show MY true interest in the engine and that I wasn't just "another scammer." That was pretty cool of 'em, all things considered.

My response to said was, in short, GFY. My return comments were to offer to send "seller" a bank draft in an amount in excess to that they thought this bauble was worth for their trouble while I arranged shipping. To Nigeria. Not too many V-12 spares hiding out down there, so I figured I'd get one up on the market. Clever, that.

Just the sound of crickets chirping re. their reply.

Oh well. Gotta love CL. Worth every penny I pay for it, plus some.

Good luck with your purchase. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did. That engine looks sweet, and I'd be happy to install it in a project without a tear down. String 'em along long enough and I'll bet they'll find the log books in the back room that old Pappy had tucked away between his favorite Playboy maggies.

- Robert in PHX

PS yellowkid - thank you for posting, and this was NOT meant to discourage you from sharing data found with your offer to help. For every new guy or gal out there coming on board and offering, you'll find and old fart like me who has seen pretty much all of the tricks in the trade with some sort of SH-T to chime off about. Just bear in mind that with old fart status comes the responsibility to keep the new kids on the block from getting screwed. Just sayin'....

[makin' boost]

The current scam in the vintage car arena is comes from the "Parts Wanted" format.
You post up I need a ________.
The reply arrives stating; I have the part, here is a photo (hijacked from another ad), at a very attractive price.
I have 3 other people very interested.
Then - My Pay - pal account is dormant thus send a money order, cashiers check or ??? to secure the part.
Upon further requests for specific photos or details there is no further response.
Or hijack an entire ad or article, as I feel we are seeing here.

[Triplane102]

Wow ! ...I guess the good 'ol Days of "Lil Margaret " hiding in a garage..

[RandolphB]

Interesting, this same ad was in the Orlando Craigslist a few weeks ago. When pressed for details on the engine, they were unable to provide them and avoided at all costs any inspection of the engine.

[Mark Allen M]

I'm vaguely aware of the Nigerian AF operating a few Typhoons and Beaufighters, but cannot recall them ever in possession of Spitfires or Hurricanes.