Airplane in a Barn story... no Hangar!

Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:06 pm

Hi everyone,

Sometimes when I get the chance to duck my head into some hangars at local airports I spot some very interesting airplanes, mostly vintage type, and not so many warbirds, but it got me wondering...

Besides the old airplane in a barn story, are there many stories of really exciting old airplanes in hangars that just seem to be collecting dust?

I'd love to hear some stories. There's an old Waco cabin at a local airport and it's been on my mind quite frequently lately. When I saw it it still carried some very funky 70's colours (blue, white, and Red) which really didn't look that great, and it had a couple inches of dust on it. It looks like it hadn't even been touched for a couple decades. When I saw it I just figured it was someone's supposed "retirement fund." That being said, Considering it's age, level of dust, engine not being run in a long time, and bird poop corroding the fabric.... how much would it really be worth? Despite it's relative rarity, I think it would have been smarter to care for it, dust it off, wash it, and run the engine occassionally. Ya know, the bare minimum to keep it in good shape.

There's also a local P-40, which is very well cared for but not flown. It's quite a "Local secret" that most people wouldn't know existed unless you saw it. I saw it.... very beautiful!!

So, are there any airplanes you know about just collecting dust in local hangars?

Maybe one day the owner will pass away and his wife will have to sell it. I know that happens a lot with really nice old hotrods and muscle cars... why not planes???

Cheers,

David

Sun Oct 19, 2008 1:44 pm

...it was years ago and there was good coverage in air classics. photos and all. of course it was disassembled but pristine and complete.

Sun Oct 19, 2008 2:39 pm

A friend of my uncle has a BT-13 Viceroy conversion disassembled in a barn in Kentucky - never got the chance to see it but my dad did - wings stored up in the rafters, etc.

David, that sounds like George Maude's P-40 you mentioned, right?

Sun Oct 19, 2008 3:15 pm

That recon P-51 became Lil Margaret............
If I recall correctly.

Mark H

Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:20 pm

A garage sale . I haven't been to one since....... :wink:

Lynn

Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:52 pm

Yep, I was talkin' about George's P-40. I didn't want to make it too obvious because he doesn't really care to have people give him offers. He really loves to show it to people, but he says he has absolutely no intention to sell it, no matter what the price.

His children will decide that when the time goes, but they seem to also want to hold onto it.

- David

Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:44 pm

and there is always Connie Edwards

Sun Oct 19, 2008 6:51 pm

mustanglover wrote:and there is always Connie Edwards

but he has a lot of anti-aircraft rigs sitting around so its hard to do a fly over recon!

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:00 pm

Years ago & I mean a long time ago there was a Stearman, as IIRC that was painted in a Red & White scheme with "Red Baron" painted on it at a little airstrip south of Atlanta, called Ted Edwards Field, & later South Fulton Skyport. No this airplane did not have anything to do with the pizzia "Red Baron's" as far as I know, but the airplane sat there & went to crap. The airport was shutdown after 911 (too close to Atlanta Hartsfield International), & last I saw it, looked like skin & bones. I was told that it was owned by some guy that would in no way sell it. First time I saw it, looked great. Last time I saw it. well you know. I don't know what ever became of it. The whole deal is just a dam shame. As I understand it many offers were made to buy it, but once again you know the rest of the story. :roll:

Robbie

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:01 pm

Who is this Connie Edwards you speak of, and what does he supposedly have stashed away somewhere?

-David

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:14 pm

daveymac82c wrote:Who is this Connie Edwards you speak of, and what does he supposedly have stashed away somewhere?

-David

Are you in for a suprise!!!!

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:16 pm

daveymac82c wrote:Who is this Connie Edwards you speak of, and what does he supposedly have stashed away somewhere?

-David

Get ready to have a heart attack when you see this:

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ie+edwards

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:29 pm

Tell me more about the Waco Cabin!!!!! Are you in the Pacific NW? Possibly Canada? If so...I know the owner pretty well. Sounds like his airplane. Painted red/white/blue.

Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:34 pm

Oh..... I've seen that thread.... and yes.... that is amazing. I just hadn't but the name and the place together.

There are several airplanes in there that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on. That's after I win the lottery of course.

Thanks for connecting the wires in my mind.

Cheers,

David

Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:11 pm

daveymac82c wrote:Oh..... I've seen that thread.... and yes.... that is amazing. I just hadn't but the name and the place together.

There are several airplanes in there that I wouldn't mind getting my hands on. That's after I win the lottery of course.

Thanks for connecting the wires in my mind.

Cheers,

David

used to be even more amazing years ago

he has sold off alot of his "stuff" over the past 4 or 5 years.........especially the engine parts and etc.

the mustang and spitfire are mine............

Airplane in a Barn story... no Hangar!

Airplane in a Barn story... no Hangar!

there was a P-51 photo recon in a guys garage at his home..

yeah...