Warbird Information Exchange

Okay, I can't lurk any longer here.

First, nobody's paid for the B-23 yet (other than a deposit), so until that's done, everything else is speculation. The airplane was indeed advertised for $50K, but the final price (assuming it's paid) will be much, much less than that.

Second, the B-23 is corroded, but for a number of reasons. Most of it is intergranular, which is typically from poor heat treating, improper elements in the aluminum, etc. The fact that it has sat outside for dang near all of it's life is certainly a contributing factor, but not the primary reason. Simply placing it inside will not cure the corrosion issues. I've also seen it mentioned that the other B-23 that is for sale in California is a much better deal since it's a flyer. Well, that depends on what your definition of a better deal is. It hasn't flown in several years....why?.....I'm told that it's corrosion issues. Sure, that's just heresay, but my guess is that it's true. Either way, corrosion is a major enemy on B-23's.

Nothing really more for me to say here on this, so I'll go back to lurking.

Gary

I never understood why people sometimes apologize for posting on a message board. I personally appreciate your post, thanks for the information. I'll be buying some lottery tickets for the first time in my life shortly, so maybe I can contribute when I win.


Rich

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Rich Kolasa
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Hope this helps!

http://members3.boardhost.com/1941AirMu ... 04172.html

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Hi Gary,

The B-23 out in Calif. hasn't flown since 1994. We stopped flying the aircraft for one reason. It wasn't for corrosion or mechanical reason's. The owners wife wanted her house they were building, finished as they had been living in a trailer for 5 years. So, we had to stop playing with the B-23 until the house was finished. Unfortunately, the owner passed away before we got the house done. So, that is why the aircraft has been sitting. There are some corrosion issue's that have to be fixed though, before it can fly again. I know that the CAF's B-23 has been described as a lump of corrosion with a data plate on it. I haven't seen it, but one of our former pilot's has seen it and that was his description. We last ran the engines in 2002. Suprisingly she ran pretty good.

This is not heresay.

Wayne , former crew chief, B-23 N747M

Thanks for clearing that up Wayne. The CAF B-23 is not a pile of corrosion with a data plate, as been rumored, but it does indeed have some significant issues that must definitely be resolved prior to any consideration of flight. It's bad, but it isn't "that" bad.

Thanks again Wayne.

Gary

Thanks Gary and Wayne for clearing up the speculation towards the B-23.

Cheers,
Nathan

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Thanks to Gary for the update on the CAF B-23 condition. Of course, everyone has an opinion of how bad things are in regards to the condition of an aircraft.

I really hope the new owner's can get the old girl back in the air. I have some fond memories of flying the B-23 around to air shows on the West Coast in the 80's and 90's It was a thrill and an honor to be involved with the operation of N747M. We had a lot of fun with that aircraft.


Wayne

Yup, it's their airplane now. Good to know that it's going to someone that is excited about taking great care of this ol' bird. The way I understand it, they'll be here in the first part of March to take it apart and truck it up to New York.

Gary

That's good news. Since they will be asked at every fuel stop along the highway what it is, maybe someoneshould get a small brush and paint on the nose "My'ass a Dragon!"

Not a bad idea I noticed that when the NASM B-17 moved down to the 8th AF Museum in Georgia they had a nice sign on the side of the trailer. It said something like "B-17 to the 8th AF Museum."

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Include the website on the signage too. It's free advertising.

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This has nothing to do with the B-23, but on the signage topic, we did a funny one a while back. When I went along with some of the Ezell Aviation crew to take Howard Pardue's Bearcat apart and haul it back to Breckenridge after it got smashed by the Corsair, we put a sign on the side of the fuselage that said, "FOR SALE...As is, where is........$2,500.00" and below that, we put "SOLD!"
That surely must've made a few Warbird junkies sick that they missed that deal as they saw it driving down the Interstate.

Gary

Ooo...that's mean! I love it...

Excellent idea about HAG-promo signage on the B-23 for her long roadtrip! The old gal may never fly again, but she'll be traveling the country during that span, for sure...why waste the exposure...

S.

Exactly, I hope her trip is documented for all of us to see!
Seriously, I think this is a good bird going to a good museum.
Maybe it would have been easier to have bought the other B-23 in CA; even still, I think the idea to purchase this type of Warbird is a very cool step to make for the HAG.
Who Knows!? Maybe a long nose P-40B/C will eventually be based there too?


Nathan,

Maybe you can find some more benefactors and obtain the new Mayocraft P-26 for the 1941-HAG? She'd fit right in!

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Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Wish I were closer, I would come help you get her loaded up, for ole time's sake. Glad she's going to a good home.


Robbie

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