Advice on static restoration project

Mon May 28, 2007 2:07 pm

Hello All,

I've been lurking here for sometime now but this is my second post. I really love the site, I've never seen anything like it before.

I'm mainly a collector of WW2 armored vehicles but I'm looking for a static warbird project so I could use some advice. Where is the best place to look for something like this, trade a plane?

In my experience with the WW2 vehicles it seems a lot of stuff changes hands without ever been officially for sale so I'd imagine the same is true for WW2 warbirds.

What I'm interested in would be something like the B-25 front fuselage at the museum in Sieverville, TN, however I'm not sure what something like that is worth in todays market.

I'd also be interested in a Douglas A/B-26 cockpit and nose section, or a TBM fueslage. I'm flexible as long as it is WW2.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Clint

Mon May 28, 2007 2:29 pm

Regarding B-25s Carl Scholl has just about cornered the market on parts for Mitchells. Check out his web site. I think the days of some farmer with a derilict war bird in his back yard are gone forever. Tom Reilly also was a source in Florida but I think he might be out of business.

Dan

http://www.aerotrader.net/

Mon May 28, 2007 2:53 pm

Dan Newcomb wrote: I think the days of some farmer with a derilict war bird in his back yard are gone forever.

I'm sorry...you were saying...?

Gary

Mon May 28, 2007 2:56 pm

I didn't know you were a farmer Gary! I thought you were a rancher!

Dan

Mon May 28, 2007 3:03 pm

I reckon if it came down to it, I'm more of a farmer than a rancher. I specialize in growing mesquite trees, goatheads, and other various plant life that keeps you from walking around barefoot in the yard. Ahhh, you gotta freakin' love Texas.

Oh, and PinecastleAAF...another place to lurk for little odds & ends like what you're looking for is www.barnstormers.com . You never know what's gonna pop up on there.

Gary

Mon May 28, 2007 3:23 pm

retroaviation wrote:I reckon if it came down to it, I'm more of a farmer than a rancher. I specialize in growing mesquite trees, goatheads, and other various plant life that keeps you from walking around barefoot in the yard. Ahhh, you gotta freakin' love Texas.

Oh, and PinecastleAAF...another place to lurk for little odds & ends like what you're looking for is www.barnstormers.com . You never know what's gonna pop up on there.

Gary

I mistook the quote too!
I thought it read warbird in a "Derelict Farmer's" backyard! :lol:

Good thing I didn't post a funny comment about that!
Opps! :oops:

My mistake! I guess I just did! :lol:

Jerry

Mon May 28, 2007 3:54 pm

Hi Gary,

First let me say that is an awesome collection you have, exactly what I'm talking about!

Also your work on AM-927 is really fantastic. I have never enjoyed a website as much as following the story of the work of you and the talented group of volunteers here.

I doubt Aero Trader has any cockpit sections for sale individually but I'll call and check. I looked at their website, along with Courtesy and some others but they seem more geared to flyable projects.

Gary good luck on your Pby, that is one of my favorites.

Thanks,

Clint

Mon May 28, 2007 4:32 pm

Gary, what is that peice of whirling death stuffed between the two propper flying machines?

Mon May 28, 2007 5:54 pm

I'm not sure if Carl still has it but for a while he had a Martin B-26 cockpit section. It was very cool.

Mon May 28, 2007 6:16 pm

Theres a gutted B-29 nose section outside at the New England Air Museum. Maybe they would part with it?

Mon May 28, 2007 7:13 pm

APG85 wrote:Theres a gutted B-29 nose section outside at the New England Air Museum. Maybe they would part with it?

They're not parting with it yet unfortunately, I've been after it for a couple years now

Tue May 29, 2007 6:51 am

MX304 wrote:Gary, what is that peice of whirling death stuffed between the two propper flying machines?

It is the remains of a homebuilt helicopter. The only reason I got it was that it was about to go to the scrap yard and the tail boom, vertical fin, and landing skids, are all from an OH-58, and I was hoping to save them for someone in the helicopter Warbird world that might need them.

Gary

Wed May 30, 2007 7:06 pm

Thanks Gary. I knew some of the pieces looked familiar, but the whole of it just looked wrong. I guess that explains it.

Wed May 30, 2007 9:04 pm

I thought that thing in the middle was a heavy duty weedwacker, one of those zero turn radius jobs.

Or maybe part of a still.

Wed May 30, 2007 10:22 pm

Hey Gary! Keep watering the PBY, maybe it will start growing wings!

Another place to check for bird parts are heavy scrapyards, if available in your area or local museums.

Happy Hunting!