Warbird Information Exchange

So, as the interest grows in jet Warbirds for private ownership and operation/display. What is a hit list for desirable new adds to the community that are "practical" for private ownership? Acquirable, engine serviceability, spares, cost of operations, ground crew requirements, etc.

What is your on top list? For me, in no particular order, more F-86's, F9F Panther, F-80, A7 Corsair II, F-105 Thuds, F-4's.

This should be fun!

_________________
"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

Mine would be the F-104s & F-100s, both single & dual seaters!

_________________
WWI & WWII Warbird Fan.

A-10 has the same engine as CRJ-200.

Just sayin'

Andy

As well as the S-3 Viking

_________________
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

Lots of D/L Sabres out there, a few in civilian hands but none flying. Same thing with F-84Fs. Something to do with the engines/systems being unobtainium?

_________________

All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

f104 best looking early jet in my opinion. then a sabre , Russian migs.

There are several Russian Mig 29's in civi hands and that British Harrier....those would be a top hoot. Donier Alpha jets and Marchetti S-211 would be pretty cool.

I was trying to think of the most modern U.S. Military jet in private ownership hands....mmmmm...F4 Phantom, A4, A7 Corsair II, T-2 Buckeye, F5, T-38...wasn't there a rumor some guy had a couple complete crashed F-16's he was trying to sell on ebay?

There is an outfit in the UK that has Harriers and Jaguars and Tornados: http://www.everettaero.com/aircraft.html

As much as I like the heavier, more complicated jets like the F-14 and F-14, they really are too complicated and expensive to be remotely practical for a private owner as per this thread.

I think we have enough F-86's, some perhaps more "practical" jets I would like to see:
-F-80, always thought an option would be to remove the cockpit plug of a T-33 (24 inch I recall), modern engine would be fine.
-F-84- straight wing, modern engine fine.
-Any of the early US Navy jets: Panther, Banshee, Courgar, Fury.
-F-100
-P2V Neptune (has jet pods). Take a firebomber and backdate to full 1950's ASW scheme.
-F-8 Crusader
-Mirage III
-Harrier, early AV8A/Gr1/Sea Harrier
-A-3 Skywarrior- a few were recently flying
-Buccaneer

I would be less interested in more trainers like Buckeyes, Alpha jets, Marchetti's etc.

The recent thread about Greece retiring their A-7s had me wondering what a TA-7 two seater would be like to have as a warbird. I admit I have no idea what is involved in the care and feeding of an A-7.

There are a bunch of early types that I love - most of them already mentioned here. But I have wondered the same thing - why are not more of them flying? I know that PoF was looking for a good engine for their Panther a few years ago because Steve Hinton was inquiring about one on the CJAA forums. I am a little surprised that the F-84 and F9F projects that Platinum has listed have not gone faster. Then there is the F7U Cutlass project that is nearly completed and back to flying condition (not that you would really want to though) that seems to always be available for the right purchaser.

I personally would love to see more F-100s out there - the 'hun' is just a great looking plane. I would also love to see CF get the F-105 back in the air! Just think one day you could field a F-100, F-104, F-105 fly-by! Along those lines wasn't there a F-106 project for sale a few years ago in South Africa? It seems that WesternAir in Texas also owns a couple of viable F-106 air frames as well. And there have been some A-7s publicly available - search the CJAA forums and you will find a TA-7C project for sale right now.

My feeling is that anything newer than the A-7 or A-4 are beyond the reach of most folks as far as operational aircraft - as a T-33 owner told me once, 'purchase price is just the entry ticket, once you get in then you really start to pay'

Tom P.

A few years ago, there was a former Blue Angels F-18A offered on eBay. The seller had full ownership, much to the Government's dismay. The jet was complete but disassembled. I don't recall if the engines were good or not. Never did hear what happened to that aircraft, but I assume it's still out there (unless the Government bought it back). Anyone have an update?

While it would be cool to see a "warbird" F-18A flying, I can't imagine that any civilian could keep it maintained, regardless of how deep their pockets are.

_________________
Dean Hemphill, K5DH
Port Charlotte, Florida

Always wanted to see an F9F in the air, or even an F2H Banshee. A-4, F-4, F-8, F-100, F-105, F-106, F-84, and more F-86s are on my 'would be neat to see fly' list. Can't forget the red jets....we have many Mig-15s and Mig-17s.....I'd love to see Mig-21 or Mig-23 (although that looks like a complex beast)....and Mig-25s would probably be $$$ to maintain and fly...but neat to see....

I also wonder why nobody has converted a T-33 into a P-80, but then again you'll lose that nice back seat you can charge people to ride in...
As for MIG-23s, they are nightmare to fly. Just ask anyone who's ever flown one, the USAF used them in Red Flag and other exercises in the early 80s and their pilots hated flying them. They did, however, love flying the 21s they also had.
I recall that Blue Angles F-18 being for sale, too. I also wonder whatever happened to that.
As for 104s, there are a few flying today, but none I'm aware of in military markings. For example, here's a few of them being used: http://www.starfighters.net/fleet/

_________________
Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)

The Brits seem to sell surplus aircraft without much thought. That company Everett and another company Jet Art Aviation, seem to always have a nice supply of ex British military aircraft (Jaguars, Harriers, Tonrnados , Phantoms, Provosts, Strikemasters, etc.) Wouldn't that just be awesome if the boneyard at Davis Monthan was open to civilian auctions (complete/non cut airframes)?!

Heck, they'll sell main battle tanks, with only the breech block removed from the main gun.
That's partially why military vehicle collecting is such a big thing in the UK, because you can get your mitts on some amazing stuff directly from the MoD in operating condition...

_________________
Life member, 91st BG Memorial Association
Owner, 1944 Willys MB #366014
Former REMF (US Army, O3)