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RUSSIAN BEAR >>>FOR SALE

Sun May 04, 2008 8:59 pm

Hello All

I have a friend that I have known for 16 years and has always been true to his word and has always delivered. (I know...... rare)

My friend (He wants to stay at arms length at the moment) Has the rights to sell 2 fresh overhauled Bears. More information will be forthcoming such as airframe time etc ... but they were built in the 80s. I will post photos as well, once i am cleared in hot.

QUESTION IS.... they will be flown out of a Friendly nation and he wanted to know the appetite for such an aircraft. The asking price is less than 10M USD for each aircraft.

Personally I think it would be cool but i dont have the spare change for that baby!

Serious feedback appreciated

Sun May 04, 2008 9:38 pm

I'll buy 'em, as soon as that nice lady from Nigeria tranfers her late husband's fortune to my checking account. 8)

SN

Sun May 04, 2008 10:24 pm

IF (Not holding my breath) this is legit, I seriously the US govt. would allow them to be operated in the U.S. MAYBE flown in to a museum and put on static, but I doubt that would even happen. Not to mention the fact it would cost several million to operate for even a couple of years, and where the heck would you get parts? [BS meter] PEGGED [/BS meter]

Sun May 04, 2008 10:46 pm

If I were director at Dayton and this was indeed legit, I would sure as heck find a way to get one of those birds in my museum. Would make one heck of an addition to the Cold War Hangar.

Zack

Sun May 04, 2008 10:52 pm

Only three countries use the TU-95; Russia, Ukraine, and India.

It is not entirely out of the question for an example to be obtained from the Ukraine. And; if the aircraft in question is a TU-95U, then I don't see what the problem is.

Other than money........

Sun May 04, 2008 10:57 pm

jmkendall wrote:
Other than money........


The Govt won't even let our former birds into civilian hands much less a Soviet Nuclear capable bomber. That would be on par with civil ownership of F-14 parts :lol:

Sun May 04, 2008 11:05 pm

Yeah, the government tends to frown on private citizens owning intercontinental nuclear delivery systems.

Sun May 04, 2008 11:18 pm

Paging Mr. Paul Allen...

Legit

Sun May 04, 2008 11:59 pm

Well I will not profess how legit it is or not .... What I know of my friend over the last 16 years is that he has brought in many odd things from the former USSR and has been doing so for years legit. I will be able to confirm more as he finishes translating the documentation.

As for FAA ..... I would assume that if the a/c is demilled, there should be no issues importing a non us manufactured aircraft no?


V

Mon May 05, 2008 12:25 am

THere was talk of the NMUSAF getting a bear at one time. I don't remember all of the details, as I was never 100% in the conversation, but I do remember that it was to the point that they ahd serial numbers of the aircraft they wanted. This was about a year ago.

Mon May 05, 2008 1:27 am

Well the Bear is certainly on my "short list" of rare types I'd like to see/hear fly. Whew...near
10 million.. :shock: May be awhile before I get that experience.

The Ukraine isss having a rough time..head-butting with Putin trying to return
the fold to the 'glory days' has had its costs..

Mon May 05, 2008 6:38 am

It should be relatively easy to import. It may take a while to get a maintenance program approved but probably not impossible. I'm sure it would take a while to translate the manuals as you would have to prove to the FAA that you would be able to support it from a maintenance standpoint. On the other hand if it already has a civil airworthiness certificate from a country the US already has a recprocal agreement with it mat not have to have a US N number to operate here. Antonovs are operating in the US with regularity.

The sad situation is, that you would be able to import it mainly because it's not US built.

Mon May 05, 2008 6:53 am

if this is allowed to happen the department of home land security will tell you that osama bin laden has his pen & check book ready!! :?

Mon May 05, 2008 7:24 am

Just imagine if the situation was reveresed... A Ukrainian/Russian/Indian person was going to purchase a B-52... :? :lol:

Im all in favor of seeing a Bear here in the US. :D

Yeah, the government tends to frown on private citizens owning intercontinental nuclear delivery systems.

???

Mon May 05, 2008 8:48 am

Yeah, the government tends to frown on private citizens owning intercontinental nuclear delivery systems.

Like Fifi :shock: :idea: :!:
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