B-23 Dragon on the block again
Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:28 am
Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:07 am
If it floats your boat and you have the capital, it would be an interesting project.
I would suspect that it would take at least 50K$ to make it ferriable based on the info presented in the various ads. You might be able to reduce that a bit when you performed the ferry inspection, but I wouldn't hope too much. Were it my project, I would plan on replacing every flexible line in the fuel and oil systems, plus any hydraulic lines (if it has any), overhaul the carbs and props, pull a couple of jugs and borescope the engines and do a visual on the fuel cells. Couple that with the normal inspections and retract tests, replacing a couple of the flight instruments and so on down the list, all prior to test flights and ferry. Some of the items might be considered overkill for a ferry to home for restoration, but if it's my butt in one of the seats, I'll lean to the cautious side.
Anyway, it would be neat to see it back in the air. It's been up for sale a long time, so I would suspect that either there is little or no interest by people that can afford it, it's way over valued, or there is a significant maintenance issue on the aircraft. I hope that it's simply an interest problem.
I would suspect that it would take at least 50K$ to make it ferriable based on the info presented in the various ads. You might be able to reduce that a bit when you performed the ferry inspection, but I wouldn't hope too much. Were it my project, I would plan on replacing every flexible line in the fuel and oil systems, plus any hydraulic lines (if it has any), overhaul the carbs and props, pull a couple of jugs and borescope the engines and do a visual on the fuel cells. Couple that with the normal inspections and retract tests, replacing a couple of the flight instruments and so on down the list, all prior to test flights and ferry. Some of the items might be considered overkill for a ferry to home for restoration, but if it's my butt in one of the seats, I'll lean to the cautious side.
Anyway, it would be neat to see it back in the air. It's been up for sale a long time, so I would suspect that either there is little or no interest by people that can afford it, it's way over valued, or there is a significant maintenance issue on the aircraft. I hope that it's simply an interest problem.
Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:11 pm
Too bad they couldn't haul it to the Barrett-Jackson hypefest - er, auction - now that they're tossing in boats with the cars, why not an airplane? And with the Howard Hughes connection, they'd find a buyer!
Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:12 pm
Id say completely under appreciated. 
I wish I could take the CAF's example and start a wing here! Or maybe another wing will be created for this purpose?
I wish I could take the CAF's example and start a wing here! Or maybe another wing will be created for this purpose?
Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:19 am
I've seen this machine fly many times, hopefully it will find a new owner that will put it in the air again.........
Wed Nov 28, 2007 11:22 am
Does this one have spar corrosion issues? For some reason I thought I had heard that...
But perhaps it was the CAF B-23 that was being referenced.
But perhaps it was the CAF B-23 that was being referenced.
B-23
Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:22 am
The last time we flew it in 1994, there was no spar corrosion. Engines were ran in 2002. I haven't inspected it since then. I remember the CAF B-23 had been refered to as a "lump of corrosion with a date plate attached"
Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:33 pm
I saw it two weeks ago in the KSAC area. It look the same then.
Lynn
Lynn
Sun Mar 02, 2008 10:02 pm
Per the conversation on the other site, why don't you just buy the B-23 Lynn? I am sure I can kick in a couple gallons of oil, the lamp, and magazine collection.
Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:42 pm
The seller ended this listing early because the item is no longer available for sale.