F-18 Rebuild to fly..civilian ????
Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:19 am
I was surfing around and found this warbird restoration project... 
Any one have more info?
http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/FA18/973/973.htm
Any one have more info?
http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/Stick/FA18/973/973.htm
Tue Aug 14, 2007 9:32 am
From memory, this has been discussed before long ago. They were also advertising an F-16. From what I remember, both aircraft were written-off in accidents with major damage and would require lots of $$$ to rebuild.
Given the current political climate with Iranian F-14 spares, I doubt the US government would be happy with any airworthy current-line fighter in civilian hands and it would probably create a bigger firestorm over the de-mill legislation that's been through Congress several times.
Just my $0.02.
Given the current political climate with Iranian F-14 spares, I doubt the US government would be happy with any airworthy current-line fighter in civilian hands and it would probably create a bigger firestorm over the de-mill legislation that's been through Congress several times.
Just my $0.02.
Tue Aug 14, 2007 12:11 pm
I remember this too.
If memory serves the Navy came out and inspected the airframe and all the parts and concluded they did not have the computers, hence it would never fly. No clue if that is correct but that is what sticks in my mind.
If memory serves the Navy came out and inspected the airframe and all the parts and concluded they did not have the computers, hence it would never fly. No clue if that is correct but that is what sticks in my mind.
Tue Aug 14, 2007 6:16 pm
The airframe in question is owned by Richard Kilby, Saturn Aviation, Mojave. He didn't know that it was being offered for sale at the time it first appeared.
The F-18 was offered for sale as part of a Govt Liquidator auction at Warner Robins DRMO. They also had an old C-130. The F-18 was legally purchased undemilled, it had been stripped as part of a tech school training device.
When Air Capitol first put it out there on Ebay the Navy went nuts. Investigators went nuts, looked at the paperwork and decided that it was legally bought. They also said there would never be another to get away.
It was just a gray F-18 until Air Capitol started sanding and found the crest. Not sure what prompted the initial sanding. I believe the aircraft is now in Mojave.
The F-18 was offered for sale as part of a Govt Liquidator auction at Warner Robins DRMO. They also had an old C-130. The F-18 was legally purchased undemilled, it had been stripped as part of a tech school training device.
When Air Capitol first put it out there on Ebay the Navy went nuts. Investigators went nuts, looked at the paperwork and decided that it was legally bought. They also said there would never be another to get away.
It was just a gray F-18 until Air Capitol started sanding and found the crest. Not sure what prompted the initial sanding. I believe the aircraft is now in Mojave.