Warbird prices dropping?

[bdk]

http://www.courtesyaircraft.com/inventory%20table.htm

I see lots of down arrows there all of a sudden. Is this a trend? Are other sellers lowering their prices as well? Anything to worry about? Will the middle class be able to afford warbirds again? Should I send my T-6 to the recyclers to get the most for my money?

[Vulture]

I would have to assume that the "sale" is on .... This is not great flying weather for most of the northern states and canada. I would not be surprised that the deals will fade when flying weather hits.

[Mudge]

Same "drop" goes for bikes in colder climes. It's then a buyers market. They'll be back up come the 60-70 degree days.

Mudge the ex-biker

[bdk]

That may be true in Bill Greenwood's "neck of the woods," but it has been 80 degrees here in SoCal! Cable Airport in Upland had its annual "Air Faire" on Jan 6th & 7th and POF had their 50th anniversary celebration with a flying display on Jan 6th. Is it winter already?

Wouldn't have thought that the over $500K crowd would have been so affected. maybe they are waiting until April for their tax returns.

[RMAllnutt]

Hey BDK. I think that if you look at it, most of the ones coming down in price are way at the top of their bracket... I mean, who the heck's going to pay $395k for a T-28B when most are selling in the mid-100's? The SNJ and Harvard IV are at the top of their usual price bracket too, $150k. These things seem to go in spurts anyway, so I wouldn't worry with respect to the value of your own project. By the time yours is finished, (5 to 7 years?) I should supect that T-6's will be going for well over $200k anyway.

How is your project coming along by the way? It's been a while since I saw an update. I remember the work you showed last time looked impecable. It really looked like a nice project from what I could see.

Cheers, Richard

[Mudge]

OK Brandon...With all the NYAH...NYAH it's 80 degrees here.
All due respect BUT...You gotta' live in Kalifornia to get that weather.
I'll take 10 below anyday.

Mudge the "right" coaster

(Just funnin', son. Just funnin'.)

[Connery]

Well you could just move here to the great Republic of Texas

[Trey Carroll]

I mean, who the heck's going to pay $395k for a T-28B when most are selling in the mid-100's?

A T-28 in that range isn't in the best condition, I've seen one of em' in person and..........

[cg51]

The T28 that went for $395K was a beautiful Airplane, the best looking T28 around, I seen it when it was restored, super clean, very detailed restoration, If I had that much money it would have been mine

[bdk]

By the time yours is finished, (5 to 7 years?) I should supect that T-6's will be going for well over $200k anyway.

How is your project coming along by the way? It's been a while since I saw an update. I remember the work you showed last time looked impecable. It really looked like a nice project from what I could see.

Gaaak! 5-7 years? My wife will kill me!!!!! Hopefully 2 years. I want to finish this sucker in time to fly it before I'm too old to get a medical. I'm 44 now.

I suppose the plane could have already been done if I didn't post here so much.

My plane will not be as nice as some (like the ones reskinned 100%), but it should look very nice and everything will have been looked at.

I need to post some updated photos I guess.
======================

And here they are: http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10637

Last edited by bdk on Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:40 am, edited 2 times in total.

[tom d. friedman]

gas is no bargain in january winter dreary assed ohio, it should be cheap w/ the mild weather. av gas can certainly be no bargain either. i'm in the marine accessory business, gas prices all but killed the past summer boating on the great lakes. thus, with boats too it's a buyer's market, both new & especially used. alot of people just can't absorb the price for gas guzzling boats & warbirds anymore. parts replacements, lubricants, it all adds up. plain & simple if it's made of plastic, it's petroleum based, right down to your computer key board. people are fuel poor, & their hobbies are the 1st to go when trying to stretch a buck.

[mgeorge51]

I have followed the market for 35 of my 45 years and have noticed that there are definite surges of sales and demand. Six months ago people with cash were calling for P-51's that weren't for sale and making reasonable offers. Now the market is slow. In six months or less the market will be hot again, (especially with the gathering in Sept). T-6's seem to be just plain steady in appreciation with very little jumps or drops except of course when there are big importation numbers as from Spain and South Africa.
Jets are as low as they can go. Even the L-39 has dropped to bargain prices (although I have seen signs of small increases). The L-39 based at my home field just sold for a reasonable amount and the current owner only had it for about 2 years. Unfortunately it seems all of the other jets are at unbelievable low prices. This hurts I know I have one of them. Untill jet fuel becomes cheaper and the government is less of a threat they will continue to suffer.

[hang the expense]

If you have a warbird, the least of your worries is fuel and maintenence prices. Now insurance is a whole nother matter. Oh and dont forget about local taxes that are assesed on toys unless its set up in a corporation.

[bdk]

In California if your aircraft is over 25 years old and you display it at least 12 times a year you can avoid the personal property tax. They are getting kind of anal about proving the display now though. At Chino airport they have a "display" once a month where all the "antiques" park out by the tower for their display. This despite the fact that the parking area is not visible to the public, only the other airport tenants! One of the local pilots has been "authorized" by the county to record the aircraft on display each month as proof of compliance with the requirement.

Of course if you fly to airshows every weekend it is easily complied with, but you still have to document everything and send it in to the county.

I suppose we should be thankful...

[hang the expense]

Here in georgia, the ferrets(revenue generators) flash around the airports to see whats new(or who can we tax now). Stories about guys getting new planes and the assesment notice beats them home. Man they are good. Dont you just love paying govt. to ride your backside.Crazy aint it. This is one of the many reasons why we need the FAIR TAX.Get the govt out of your business.