Generous Offer re Spitfire

Saville · **Joined:** Tue Jun 28, 2005 8:45 am **Posts:** 520

Bill Greenwood wrote:

Recently, I received a very generous offer of some money to restore my Spitfire. I appreciate an offer of any amount and I know that $25 might be a significant donation from someone who does not have a big income.
I received a few donations, then decided to return them with my thanks.
...
It was running well on the last flight, didn't have any metal in the filters last oil change, and I don't think there is any engine damage, but it has almost a thousand hours since overhaul, so it seems the best idea.
The engine overhaul will be expensive, over $100k, especially with the added cost of removal, shipping, installation.
When that time comes. I may well be looking for a partner or even asking for donations.Right now, wish us luck.

I'm curious. What does it cost to buy a working, overhauled (or unused/hardly used if there is such a thing) Merlin? Be interesting to know the cost of acquisition vs overhaul.

Of course I wish you luck with the project. A project like that is beyond my financial means...beyond most people's means. That's why they feel compelled to donate: getting something they love back into the air is a pleasure. While we cannot do it ourselves, being able to help a little makes one feel good.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:55 am

The Hurricane damage was much less than mine, might have been repaired in less than a year,
BUT, it got dunked in the brackish water when the storm flooded Galveston airport. It has not been repaired.

I also like a sense of humor,and don't bemoan any real attempt at one.But as for painting one on the fuselage, I'd never do that, just for me way past the limit.

I am not happy to have run into that plane, really regret it, and it doesn't matter that much whose fault, if any it was.

I wish both planes were flying.

richkolasa · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 10:08 am

Bill Greenwood wrote:

I wish both planes were flying.

And you have a lot of fans and friends who would like to help you make your part of that happen!

Rich

Bearcat SA · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 10:42 am

Which Spitfire is Bills..any pictures?

Dan Newcomb · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 11:00 am

I believe a Merlin in good shape would run something around 200K +. I'm sure somebody on WIX can state a better price.

Dan

ZRX61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:16 am **Posts:** 2309

I'm thinking closer to $150K for a fresh one

ZRX61 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2005 10:16 am **Posts:** 2309

Bill Greenwood wrote:

I also like a sense of humor,and don't bemoan any real attempt at one.But as for painting one on the fuselage, I'd never do that, just for me way past the limit.

I think everyone would take it in good humor, with the possible exception of the insurance underwriters. Remember the Chino P51 with the cow kills on it?

k5083 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 12:28 pm

k5dh wrote:

k5083 wrote:

Bill, I hear you about the donations, but be sure to post here if you decide to sell off any damaged bits not used in the rebuild. What might look like scrap to the guy who owns one could be a treasure to the many dreamers (that would be me).
August

What a great idea! A lot of us collect pieces of warbird skin. Bill, you could save a bunch of the old sheetmetal, cut it up into little squares, say 3" by 3", and send them along with a computer-printed "thank you" certificate to those who donate some minimum amount, say $10 or $20. Gary did it with Ol' 927. MAAM is doing it with the P-61. I believe the Glacier Girl resto team did it also. I'm sure there are/were others.

How 'bout it, Bill? If you decide to do it, I'm in!

That would be one way to frame it, but I was thinking more of a sale for fair value rather than a charity/donation concept. Folks would pay a few bucks for a bit of wing rib, more for a piece of painted wing skin, and so forth up to a broken prop blade which might fetch a nice bit of change. Some kind of letter, certificate, or inscription by Bill confirming that it came from TE308 would be nice and would increase the value by establishing authenticity. Ebay would quickly establish what the pieces are worth; but it would be nice if Wixers got the first option on some of it!

Best of luck with the rebuild Bill.

August

67N20 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 10:03 pm

Bearcat SA wrote:

Which Spitfire is Bills..any pictures?

These were taken at Galveston,the day of the accident.

Bearcat SA · **Posted:** Sat Aug 07, 2010 1:11 am

Thanks for the pics
Lets hope Bill gets in back in the air real soon

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Generous Offer re Spitfire

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