Warbird Information Exchange

I've been lurking here for awhile but I thought I would sign up to ask for some advice.

I am getting close to be in a position to purchase a T-6. I would like a recomendation for a good person or shop that can do a pre-purchase inspection. I intend to join NATA very soon. I have heard that there are some shops to stay away from, but are there any that have a good reputation for annual inspections and maintenance?

Thanks for your help with this.

Jeff

Welcome aboard.... I would start with Chuck Gardner here on the board....

Lynn

Midwest Texans.

http://www.midwesttexans.com/index.htm

http://www.midwesttexans.com/purchasing/index.htm

TC

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"There are two types of people here; airshow whores and airshow prostitutes. The whores, like you and I, do airshow stuff for free, whereas the prostitutes are paid" - Reg Urschler

If you are in Washington D C, Paul Redlich is a top expert in the n e. If you are in Washington state, North American Trainer Association, Stoney and Kathy Stonich, are there and can likely advise. I think Paul writes for the NATA magazine.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Thanks for the help so far.

I was originally going to sign up with Midwest Texans, but in light of recent events I don't think that is a good idea. Is Paul Redlich still a part of that company? I hear that Paul is THE guy when it comes to the T-6 but if he is still involved with Midwest Texans then I have concerns.

Is there an established shop that has a solid reputation and history for maintenance on the T-6?

Hi Jeff-

I don't believe we have ever had a conversation, but I would welcome one with you. I am not exactly sure what you are referring to when you mention "in light of recent events." There is no question that we recently had a disagreement with a customer, we attempted to address it but were unsuccessful, so we purchased the product back from him. I don't know how we could have stood by our work any better than that. Suffice it to say, there are always two sides to the story, and you don't have ours

I won't drag all that up on a message board, but anyone who has questions is welcome to contact me, or visit with us at our shop. If you had a chance to see what we are really doing, I think it would put any concerns you had to rest.

Also, Paul is not affiliated with our business and would be a good one to contact for a pre-purchase agreement. He knows the airplane very well and is a straight up guy.

Thanks!

Jeff, in general it may save time and money to buy the best you can afford. Example, a friend, ex Korean War Navy carrier pilot, found what he hoped was a cheap SNJ, flyable, not a show plane. He had a pre buy check by a warbird shop that is one of the top in the US, but when the first annual was done back in Colorado by QG Aviation, went farther into the inspection and found corrosion in the center section of the wing that was expensive to repair. The first shop was not doing an annual, and was not asked to go that far, so did not find this problem. It may also help to decide if you want original or customized. A lot of money can be spent to buy nice new paint and/or elaborate avionics, that may be indicative of the care put into the plane or may not go more than skin deep. If you know the owner or the history of the plane, you may get an idea if it has been bought just to sell for profit or was cared for and flown over the years. T-6s have been around so long, that there should be a number of shops that can do a good inspection. Beware if it is not a flying plane, or is out of annual. Sometimes you see; "annual on sale". Translation, this is a project, it is not legal to fly. You might want to make a deal with the owner to split the cost of an annual in a case like this, but do not let him send it to his brother for a cheap quick fix job. Good luck, and if you need a checkout, get someone good.A great plane, but it is an Advanced trainer, not a 172.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Tim,

We have talked and I have been by your shop. You do seem like a nice guy and I think it is great that you stood by your work and bought the airframe back from your customer. It is also good that you are willing to be open about what happened but what really concerns me is what you let out of the door of your shop in the first place. Those airworthiness and quality control issues were and are serious enough for me to have grave concerns and doubts. I understand that this was your first project and I assume that you will get better as time goes on but I am simply not willing to take that kind of a risk while you progress through your learning curve.

I wish you nothing but the best with your venture.

To all of you who responded with private messages with help and support, thank you very much and I will be in contact soon as I will be traveling.

Jeff

this thread was probably moved out of general population due to concerns over the direction it is going. However, I don't think it has gone too far and will let it back into the main hanger as long as everyone behaves. If this turns into a flame war then it will be removed again.

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Editor-In-Chief/Webmaster
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Thanks to everyone who has so generously supported the site. We really do appreciate it.

I'd really like to know what went out of the shop, and what really happened, from both parties. I've met Tim, and he doesn't seem like the kind of person to let junk walk out of the door.

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

I think Eric D. has proven himself to be one of the most intelligent posters on this forum.
Jeff, I think it was very unfair of you posting one-sided second hand info on a public forum without first talking to Tim to get his side of things. I think his first trying to make the customer happy and then buying the a/c back speaks highly of him and how he conducts his business To say he's anything less than a great asset to the warbird community is, IMHO, inaccurate.
Jack

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Don't touch my junk!!

Hi Jeff-


I apologize that I don't remember you.

As I mentioned above, there are always two perspectives/sides to every story. You are making the assumption that all you have heard is the gospel truth. Suffice it to say my opinon, and that of the eight A&Ps, three IAs and one DAR that work at my company, is completely different. I happen to really like and respect my customer, so once again, I am not going to drag all this up on an open message board. I will leave it at that and this is my last post on the subject.

You also don't appear to be to interested in my perspective on any of this since you obviously have my contact information, as well having read the PM that I sent you a few days ago, which went unanswered.

I wish the best in the future as well.

Jeff,
If you're in the Midwest, I'd recommend Sam Taber (Tab Air) of East Troy WI. Good shop and good people. I understand you want the best 60 year old airplane possible, but understand from a mechanics stand point perfection is always a finger tip away. We strive for it every day and worry about it every night.
Good luck in your search. I'd put a shop or individual with honesty and integrity like Midwest Texans at the top of my list!
David Staffeldt
AP/IA

This is way out of line on an open forum. You have a problem?, you PM this person and resolve it personally or have the courage to contact this person personally. You have no business, or right to bring anything negative up about a person's profession on an open forum. what the H*ll's wrong with you? We have zero interest in reading about someone's problems with someone's business ventures on an open forum. How would you like it if someone trashed you on an open forum? You may have valid concerns, but act like a responsible person and contact the responsible party and take your concerns with them. You DO NOT discuss your concerns on an open forum on the internet. PERIOD!!!! What makes you think that anyone here wants to read your pissing match with someone you have a problem with? .... NO ONE!!!!

Get rid of this thread Scott, we don't need this here. You NEVER, EVER disrespect ANYONE'S profession on an open forum on the internet.