Wantin' to steal up my C-119 projects, are you?
You have to consider not only parts, but lot's of other factors. To get it flying in itself is a large project, but to keep it flying is even more of one. Here is a short list off the top of my head:
-Fuel. A C-119 burns around 250GPH of 100LL, and at $4 per gallon (a low price) that equates to around $1,000 per hour in fuel.
-Parking. I would think it to be around $500-1,000 per month.
-Engines. I read a 1,600hr TBO, as much as 2-3,000 if it's run often (every day), probably not even 1,600 if allowed to sit. $80,000-120,000 per overhaul (per engine.).
-Insurance. I read the B-17 guys pay $150,000 for it, probably $20,000 minimum. (Part 91)
-Airframe work. Look at Hagerstowns Boxcar N8093 -
http://www.ruudleeuw.com/c119-info-p2.htm - very good condition, cost $95,000 to get ready to fly back! As an example; $100 per hour x 1,000 hours work = $100,000!
All in all, I think I found out that it's about $1,500 an hour to run, if it's flown 400hrs per year, buying or paying someone else to make repairs, rebuilds, etc. (Costs go up the less it's flown.) It also took John Reffet 20 years to get both of his C-119's operational. The only reason that I belive I could make one fly is because I am going to:
-Fly it as a cargo plane in Alaska or Canada
-Rebuild my own engines
-Machine my own hard-to-find parts
-Do my own airframe work
And other various things. If it's not making money, it will take $300 just for a 12 minute flight around the airport!
As a cargo-hauling freight plane, it's great. As a private warbird, not so much.
Just my $0.02 worth.
(I like most all cargo planes like this, just to name my favorites; ATL-98 Carvair, C-119, C-82, and the Bristol 170.
)
-Chaz
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