Rufe Wing Float on Yahoo Auctions Japan

[Jim MacDonald]

Saw this Rufe wing float on Yahoo Auctions Japan. Outside of the obvious damage to the top (used as a canoe?), it seems to be in real good shape. Definitely could be used as a pattern for a Rufe restoration. If the Google converter I used is correct, it is surprisingly cheap with the starting price only $6700.There are five more photos at the auction site.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/au ... 1124660449





Mac

[old iron]

$6700 seems steep, though I suppose there might be multiple Japanese collectors who might want this for their cave.

Can someone report on the final price?

[Jim MacDonald]

Hi Kevin,

I was of the opposite opinion. With a piece of a Zero stringer only a couple of inches long going for over $100, I thought that such a large piece of a Rufe was extremely cheap at $6700. With the Rufe not having anywhere near the number manufactured (only 327) as the Zero, there is not that many Rufe remains floating around, especially one that large & in such good shape.

I'm keeping an eye on the auction. Right now there is five days left with no bids.

Does anybody know if there are any Rufe restorations going on or if there are any pieces in storage that could be the basis of a restoration?

Mac

[marine air]

Seems way overpriced. Maybe it has to do with the exchange rate. It's been modified and is missing lots of internal components as well as the top was hacked off. "Something is worth only what someone is willing to pay for it" so wishing them the best.

[Jim MacDonald]

Ten hours left, no bids.

Mac

[Jim MacDonald]

Auction closed. No bids.

To tell the truth, I'm kind of surprised. I figured with the Zero mania there is here in Japan that there would be at least one bid on it.

Mac

[old iron]

Maybe if there was a data plate?

[Mark Sampson]

I wonder if there's anything else left of a "Rufe" anywhere?

[Dan K]

I wonder if there's anything else left of a "Rufe" anywhere?

As good a place as any to start is Justin Taylan's Pacific Wrecks site:

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m2-n/index.html



I believe these are the Rufe remains listed as being located at the old Japanese seaplane base at Emiej (on Jaluit Atoll):






Aerial views of the same seaplane base in 1943 and more recently:








The late Jim Lansdale owned this piece of Rufe 1733; no idea of its current status:

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m2 ... front.html

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/a6m2 ... -rear.html

[Michel Lemieux]

There were rumors of one in a military sea base in India quite a few years ago.........

Some may remember.

[OD/NG]

There were rumors of one in a military sea base in India quite a few years ago.........

Some may remember.

Yep, I remember. I don't know if that ever got proven though, as I never saw any pictures of the purported airframe or parts. If someone could upload a picture of that airframe, it would go a long ways toward proving that rumor.

BTW, it was reported to be at the non-public museum located at the Indian Navy Base Jarawa at Port Blair.

[Michel Lemieux]

Yep, I remember. I don't know if that ever got proven though, as I never saw any pictures of the purported airframe or parts. If someone could upload a picture of that airframe, it would go a long ways toward proving that rumor.

BTW, it was reported to be at the non-public museum located at the Indian Navy Base Jarawa at Port Blair.

You have a better memory than me

Jagan site: https://www.warbirdsofindia.com/ had some chat bits on it if I remember well!!!!

[Warbird Kid]

Could it be in actuality from another Mitsubishi single engine, center float aircraft instead?

MITSUBISHI F1M2
Aircraft Location: Blenheim, South Island, New Zealand
Contact:Graham Orphan

This is a unique opportunity to acquire a WW-II aerial combatant so rare that for many years, and even to this day, it is thought of as an extinct species. The package we are offering here has been very carefully retrieved and housed in secure, dry, surroundings for the last decade or two. In addition, its dedicated owner has added instruments, compass, gun-sight and correct radio equipment etc to properly populate the instrument panels of one of them. I don't have to labor the point here, as to how seldom we see rare Japanese WW-II aircraft become available.
$ POA
https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/231156723/mitsubishi-f1m2-piston-military-aircraft

[Jim MacDonald]

Don't know if this will do any good to help ID if it is from a Rufe or not, but here are a couple of photos with measurements.

Mac