Warbird Information Exchange

Hello, my name is Connor Finley, and I am an avid warbird lover, I have had an interest in the Soplata Collection for a while now, and I am quite curious if anyone has made offers on the XBT2D-1 Skyraider Bu #09103, if not, how much do the fine people of WIX think it's worth? I'm trying to get my foot in the door on warbirds, and as a younger member of the Warbird community, backed by my father, I'm wanting to do what I can to preserve history of these wonderful machines, especially the more obscure.

So, what's it worth to 'ya, wingmen?

Cheers,
Connor

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Sometimes I wonder if warbirds should fly, then I hear the noises, and forget why I wonder.

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45-47=-2

Already got in touch with the Soplatas, I'm just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on the bird.

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Sometimes I wonder if warbirds should fly, then I hear the noises, and forget why I wonder.

Not having seen the bird beyond photos, it’s hard to put an honest value on it. Condition & completeness come to mind.

While someone might argue that it’s value is fixed no matter what your plans for it are, I disagree. A full-up flying restoration project would obviously be worlds apart from a static display. For example, the existing engine might clean up beautifully for a static, but be worthless for a flying project. This affects overall value or at least what I would be willing offer.

Do you have a plan for this proud old warhorse?

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

I was personally thinking being able to taxi it, as my philosophy for combat veterans/prototypes is that they shouldn't be risked. Non Combatants/Production vehicles should be able to fly for the spectacle of flight. But other than that, I still need to see it myself as well.

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Sometimes I wonder if warbirds should fly, then I hear the noises, and forget why I wonder.

A Skyraider project is HUUUUUGE, especially for a first project. Even if the airframe were free, the disassembly, transport, hanger space required, tooling, systems repair, parts, etc.....again HUUUUUGE. Unless you are starting with $millions to throw at it, this isn't going to be a $100k project. I wish you luck, but when it comes to large warbirds (or super cars or mansions or etc.) if you have to quibble over price, it's probably out of range.

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45-47=-2

As they say, Rome wasn't built in a day

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Sometimes I wonder if warbirds should fly, then I hear the noises, and forget why I wonder.

So, how much money does a project like this take?

Oh, that's easy.... ......all of it!

Andy