What Would You Restore?
Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:40 pm
Here's a scenario where you have a limited opportunity to restore only certain warbirds of different values and conditions.
Out of the following choices which of the following would you restore?
Airworthy TBM tanker in bad shape to airworthy warbird in good shape? Restoration time is 4 years.
Corroded Zero, Ki-43, or SBD which needs 100% reskining, new spars, some new ribs bulkheads and stringers etc. Restoration time is 10 years.
Yak 11 conversion to Yak-3 which needs a spar splice, cleaning, but has been partially restored? Restoration time is 2 years.
A Mustang with all drawings, but only includes a spar and some fuselage bulkheads, fuel tanks, tail wheel, etc. Restoration time is 10-12years.
Or, none, I'll just have a beer and watch WWF
Out of the following choices which of the following would you restore?
Airworthy TBM tanker in bad shape to airworthy warbird in good shape? Restoration time is 4 years.
Corroded Zero, Ki-43, or SBD which needs 100% reskining, new spars, some new ribs bulkheads and stringers etc. Restoration time is 10 years.
Yak 11 conversion to Yak-3 which needs a spar splice, cleaning, but has been partially restored? Restoration time is 2 years.
A Mustang with all drawings, but only includes a spar and some fuselage bulkheads, fuel tanks, tail wheel, etc. Restoration time is 10-12years.
Or, none, I'll just have a beer and watch WWF
Thu Jan 08, 2009 10:21 pm
Well, you did ask, so here's my thought process. Of the choices you gave, my choice of airplane would be a mustang. HOWEVER, I would choose the TBM to restore. Given my age, the TBM would be the most realistic to actually see through to completion. Not a huge fan of the yaks, so that leaves the shortest path to restoration as the TBM. As many know, 4 years quickly become 10. The spar replacements and reskinning are huge tasks, even if you already had replacement spars, but most likely they would all have to be fabricated. As for the mustang, I don't have the skills, time, or the will to scratch build an airplane from drawings. Now if Gary Austin were to come live with my family and I for a few years, we could wrap up this SNJ fiasco and move right to the mustang! 
Gary, are you out there?
Chunks
Gary, are you out there?
Chunks
Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:37 am
I'd take the Yak (obviously).
The word here is that the Yak-11 is much closer to a Yak-3 then the new built examples are. Would also probably go down the Klimov route.
Now, where do I write down the address of our workshop?
The word here is that the Yak-11 is much closer to a Yak-3 then the new built examples are. Would also probably go down the Klimov route.
Now, where do I write down the address of our workshop?
Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:39 am
For the same price I'd be flying a fighter in 2 years!
Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:43 am
For the same price I'd be flying a fighter in 2 years!
WTF bdk that's an excuse. Be a man and answer the question..
Last edited by A2C on Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 12:46 am
So no one choose the Zero? I must be the only Zero fan then.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:26 am
A zero would be fine, but they look too much like a T-6 
I actually did not choose the zero because it was an overwhelming task.
Chunks
I actually did not choose the zero because it was an overwhelming task.
Chunks
Fri Jan 09, 2009 11:56 am
Thanks Chunks!
Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:11 pm
I guess I wasn't clear enough...A2C wrote:For the same price I'd be flying a fighter in 2 years!
WTF bdk that's an excuse. Be a man and answer the question..
Yak 11 conversion to Yak-3 which needs a spar splice, cleaning, but has been partially restored? Restoration time is 2 years.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 1:36 pm
Right, that would be a pretty good choice considering they are simply constructed and sell for a pretty good price.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:16 pm
Why not try and borrow the jigs and plans at the Fargo Air Museum to build an all new R-2800 powered Zero? Isn't there's essentially and all new build aircraft?
http://www.fargoairmuseum.org/images/07_250.jpg
http://www.fargoairmuseum.org/images/07_250.jpg
Fri Jan 09, 2009 2:38 pm
Hey Warbird Kid:
So your vote is for the Zero. Blayd built the plane and Tri-state put it together, but they might have the plans. From what I hear a Zero has 16,000 parts, and a P-51 or something like that has closer to 10,000.
So your vote is for the Zero. Blayd built the plane and Tri-state put it together, but they might have the plans. From what I hear a Zero has 16,000 parts, and a P-51 or something like that has closer to 10,000.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 3:25 pm
My pick would be a T-33, but that's not on your list.
Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:00 pm
My pick would be a T-33, but that's not on your list.
Well, let's talk about it. I think an airworthy T-33 can be purchased for $35,000, I kid you not. So is it worth it?
Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:05 pm
A2C wrote:My pick would be a T-33, but that's not on your list.
Well, let's talk about it. I think an airworthy T-33 can be purchased for $35,000, I kid you not. So is it worth it?
IMHO, it would be. Awhile back I knew of someone who had 2 that were selling for $13k each. I like the era of aircraft it comes from and I also like that it's a 2 seater. If I ever purchase something that I'll end up flying it'll be a T-33 of some sort. There is so much to do before that would ever become a reality for me though. It's not implausible, just not something I can afford to do for a few years. I might humor it in 5-10 years from now though.