Time capsule. PT17 Stearman up for sale March 31, 2012

[Stearman75972]

On March 31, 2012 a unmolested, time capsule PT-17 Stearman is up for sale. Total time 1,720 hours. Reserve is only $23,000 for it!!

Check out information about it. http://www.panzerstearman.net/

Per barnstormers.com
AUCTION • ESTATE SALE • 1943 Boeing STEARMAN, for the Estate of the late George Panzer Jr. Unrestored and never modified time capsule. PT17, Model A75N1, N56292. Cont R670, 434 hrs. since army overhaul, turns manually. TT=1720 hours. Has not flown since late 1950s. Hangered at Reid Hillview Airport since early 1950s except for 1 year about 5 years ago when it was tied down under tarps. Auction will be held at Reid Hillview Airport, San Jose, Calif., March 31, 2012, 2:00 PM. Reserve $23,000. Tel. (360) 835-7789. • PANZER STEARMAN • Contact Susan Harder
http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=616312

I hope one of our members can be there to give us a update n how this auction goes.

Best of luck to anyone who bids on it.

[JohnB]

Unrestored..so that should be the original factory fabric?
If so, It would be nice to have a piece..and Stearman restorers might like some for color matching.

If the wings are in good shape, might be a deal at the reserve...but what do you think, you'd still be pushing $80K to get in the air?

[Airplanejunkie]

No markings of any kind? Flew until the late '50s with no mods or major repairs? This might be a very stock basket case, but it's for sure not A WW2 vintage "time capsule." at least the way I see it ie not purchased surplus and stored unmolested since then.

[Dave Hadfield]

It's the Fairchild PT-19 on Barnstormers that's a true time capsule. A true "found in a barn" special.

The Stearman looks like it's been repainted, at least.

Dave

[shrike]

If it flew in the 50's - even just 1951, it would have to have been recovered at least once since leaving Uncle Sam's service. But then it would have been recovered at least once. during that service as well.
That's just the nature of the beast with the lifespan of cotton and dope. New fabric is a maintenance thing like changing the oil. You wouldn't poopoo a 1800hr total time p-51 if it had been repainted once.

If no one turned it into a duster, converted it back,then 'restored it', put a 985 on it, ground looped it and started over. It's still closer to original that 99% percent of them out there.

[JohnB]

It's still closer to original that 99% percent of them out there.

I'm not sure originality is that valued by most Stearman owners....at least judging by the airframe mods, engine conversions, unauthentic paint schemes (ex-USAAF aircraft painted as Navy and vice versa), etc. I see.

[Dan Jones]

It was up for auction a few years ago but the auction fell through. It would be a great project seeing as how most of it's there. Most Stearman mods are bolt on/bolt off so I wouldn't get too wound up about one (even that one) getting "hot-rodded" a little as it would be easy enough to undo. As long as you don't convert it to a duster or something really dumb you're unlikely to do anything to it that can't be seamlessly undone. It could be original fabric if it's been indoors most of it's life. The wood in the wings will be the big question mark - might be ok, might be junk. That being said I'm still flying mine on two original lower wings.