C-119 question
Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:41 am
Would getting a C-119 flying be viable?
Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:58 am
I'm sure it really depends on the specific airframe and what your definition of viable is. With deep enough pockets, any airframe can be made to fly again. If the aircraft is riddled with corrosion and missing vital parts it would obviously take a lot more work than one that was flown just a few years ago and has been parked.
I'm not that familiar with the issues that my be associated with a 119 but from casual observation, it seems like there would be enough spare parts around that it wouldn't be an insurmontable task so long as the airframe is relatively clean.
I'm not that familiar with the issues that my be associated with a 119 but from casual observation, it seems like there would be enough spare parts around that it wouldn't be an insurmontable task so long as the airframe is relatively clean.
Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:54 pm
Wantin' to steal up my C-119 projects, are you? 
You have to consider not only parts, but lot's of other factors. To get it flying in itself is a large project, but to keep it flying is even more of one. Here is a short list off the top of my head:
-Fuel. A C-119 burns around 250GPH of 100LL, and at $4 per gallon (a low price) that equates to around $1,000 per hour in fuel.
-Parking. I would think it to be around $500-1,000 per month.
-Engines. I read a 1,600hr TBO, as much as 2-3,000 if it's run often (every day), probably not even 1,600 if allowed to sit. $80,000-120,000 per overhaul (per engine.).
-Insurance. I read the B-17 guys pay $150,000 for it, probably $20,000 minimum. (Part 91)
-Airframe work. Look at Hagerstowns Boxcar N8093 - http://www.ruudleeuw.com/c119-info-p2.htm - very good condition, cost $95,000 to get ready to fly back! As an example; $100 per hour x 1,000 hours work = $100,000!
All in all, I think I found out that it's about $1,500 an hour to run, if it's flown 400hrs per year, buying or paying someone else to make repairs, rebuilds, etc. (Costs go up the less it's flown.) It also took John Reffet 20 years to get both of his C-119's operational. The only reason that I belive I could make one fly is because I am going to:
-Fly it as a cargo plane in Alaska or Canada
-Rebuild my own engines
-Machine my own hard-to-find parts
-Do my own airframe work
And other various things. If it's not making money, it will take $300 just for a 12 minute flight around the airport!
As a cargo-hauling freight plane, it's great. As a private warbird, not so much. Just my $0.02 worth.
(I like most all cargo planes like this, just to name my favorites; ATL-98 Carvair, C-119, C-82, and the Bristol 170.
)
-Chaz
You have to consider not only parts, but lot's of other factors. To get it flying in itself is a large project, but to keep it flying is even more of one. Here is a short list off the top of my head:
-Fuel. A C-119 burns around 250GPH of 100LL, and at $4 per gallon (a low price) that equates to around $1,000 per hour in fuel.
-Parking. I would think it to be around $500-1,000 per month.
-Engines. I read a 1,600hr TBO, as much as 2-3,000 if it's run often (every day), probably not even 1,600 if allowed to sit. $80,000-120,000 per overhaul (per engine.).
-Insurance. I read the B-17 guys pay $150,000 for it, probably $20,000 minimum. (Part 91)
-Airframe work. Look at Hagerstowns Boxcar N8093 - http://www.ruudleeuw.com/c119-info-p2.htm - very good condition, cost $95,000 to get ready to fly back! As an example; $100 per hour x 1,000 hours work = $100,000!
All in all, I think I found out that it's about $1,500 an hour to run, if it's flown 400hrs per year, buying or paying someone else to make repairs, rebuilds, etc. (Costs go up the less it's flown.) It also took John Reffet 20 years to get both of his C-119's operational. The only reason that I belive I could make one fly is because I am going to:
-Fly it as a cargo plane in Alaska or Canada
-Rebuild my own engines
-Machine my own hard-to-find parts
-Do my own airframe work
And other various things. If it's not making money, it will take $300 just for a 12 minute flight around the airport!
As a cargo-hauling freight plane, it's great. As a private warbird, not so much. Just my $0.02 worth.
(I like most all cargo planes like this, just to name my favorites; ATL-98 Carvair, C-119, C-82, and the Bristol 170.
)
-Chaz
Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:07 pm
Needless to say ... the "Boxcar" is my favorite ... In fact, my emroidered 119 hat goes with me every where I go ... Good luck !!!!
Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:47 pm
Wed Oct 07, 2009 10:22 pm
As one who has worked on and flown a 119, it is a very daunting task. Most of the remaining 119s at Greybull were in very sad shape. The Phoenix was in very good shape, but then they dumped close to 100k into getting it ready for the movie. There is a very ugly AD on the ailerons that need to be addressed as well.