Warbird Information Exchange

They posted an ad a few weeks ago that I remembered seeing but they did not say where the plane was. It's definitely an H so I don't know why they would say it's a G since it's the only H left in existence and to me is more significant because of that. So my question is did Aero tRader buy it off of the estate and are remarketing at a profit or has the estate just made the agreement to give AT the business after the sale... For the amount of work we did on the plane and the amount of work they have done at Genesseo, 1.9 + the cost of a "complete restoration" seems rather high.

This is the third plane from MARC that has seen movement since the new year. I'm wondering if this is connected with them getting the 17 back to operate... We will give you the 17 but we are pulling the A20 out... again...

The estate last month finally gave us Full ownership for our C-123 after 21 years of it being operated under an agreement between our organization and MARC.

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Tyler Pinkerton
Active Member of Air Heritage Inc. of Beaver Falls, PA.
Aircraft: C47B, C-123K, Fairchild F-24, Funk Model B, L-21B, T-28B, T-34B
Static: F-4C Phantom II, F-15A, T-3 Provost

That price certainly includes the cost of the contract to have Aero Trader restore the aircraft (the restoration contract probably at least totaling $1.2M, but likely more, of that sales price). With Lewis' A-20 having been completed last year, and work underway to complete Kermit Weeks' A-26 and have it out the door by the end of the year, Aero Trader is likely quite eager to get such a project as this into their shop for the work (hence the deal established). Other than Weeks' A-26, I believe the only other project they currently have in the shop is Trent Latshaw's B-25 (a former Tallichet aircraft).

The way the page is written, the "contract for restoration" is separate from the sale contract

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Tyler Pinkerton
Active Member of Air Heritage Inc. of Beaver Falls, PA.
Aircraft: C47B, C-123K, Fairchild F-24, Funk Model B, L-21B, T-28B, T-34B
Static: F-4C Phantom II, F-15A, T-3 Provost

The ad is a bit unclear, one way or the other, but the way I have understood it has been based on rational/sensible thinking, based on the amount asked and the current state of the aircraft compared to current market costs of warbirds. I mean, for the amount it is listed for, you could just about purchase two decent airworthy B-25's ("Barbie III" sold for $1M, last year), or 5 or 6 decent airworthy Avengers, or a very nicely restored flying P-51, P-40, or Hurricane, etc.

Right, but those plane values are so low because there are so many of them available. Same reason why F4u's fetch such a premium over a similar quality restored P-51.

This is the sole surviving A-20H in the world, in pieces or intact. It should fetch even more than Rod Lewis' example once fully restored.

This plane should not need a "complete" restoration from all of the previous work done on it. I know a hell of a lot was done in the time we had it before it left for Geneseo and had they not taken it away it probably would have been flying with us by now. We still have people coming into the museum over ten years later asking where it is. Likewise, I'm sure the work Geneseo has done is of equal quality.

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Tyler Pinkerton
Active Member of Air Heritage Inc. of Beaver Falls, PA.
Aircraft: C47B, C-123K, Fairchild F-24, Funk Model B, L-21B, T-28B, T-34B
Static: F-4C Phantom II, F-15A, T-3 Provost

Rarity has less to do with the price of warbirds than does desirability and coolness factor. P-51s and Corsairs are the most sought after and most desired because everyone knows what they are.

If rarity was the measure my A-26 would be worth more than a B-25, but it isn't and likely never will be because everyone knows what a B-25 is and what it did and therefore is more desirable. If rarity were the driving force the Yale would be worth more than a Harvard, it isn't and never will be..again because of desirability and coolness. Most of the Warbird community is made up of folks that have an appreciation for history.....but that doesn't mean most of them will invest in obscure types.

My guess is the number of collectors willing to invest in the A-20 is very limited. Especially at that price point.

As far as I know no restoration work took place at Geneseo. It is simple in storage. From what I saw it will need a complete and total restoration by anyone who works on it today to meet today's expected restoration standards.

Hey A-26's, A-20's, and B-25's all peg the coolness meter on my book!

The only reason any of these machines fly today is because of those of who've carried on the torch. It's the private warbird owner/operator who makes the difference, and I'm forever grateful for people such as yourself.