Mustang N5416V (Ken Scholz) to be auctioned

marine air · **Posted:** Thu May 07, 2015 3:45 pm

My guess is $550k to $750k. Someone will get too excited, believe it is in much better shape than it is and pay too much.

Scott Rose · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2015 6:11 am

Time to start a kickstarter campaign?

Dave Hadfield · **Joined:** Sun Sep 17, 2006 10:31 pm **Posts:** 1672

The value is dependent on the quality of the metal, as long as there isn't another factor involved in its provenance like a famous role somewhere, or owned by a famous person.

It'll need a 0-time engine. That's $120K. And a 0-time prop. That could be as much as $50K. And most of the instruments will be out of date or unserviceable.

Anything with an O-ring or a seal in it will have to come apart, be repaired, and re-installed (fuel system, engine accessories, hydraulics, brakes, gear, flaps, radiators, pumps). Much of the electrical wiring will probably be shot. That adds up quick at shop rates. Or trade for certified -- at a discount of course -- if you want a faster completion.

But the big deal is the metal. If the wing has to come off and be re-sparred, or the fuselage frames where the engine-bearers attach, that's a big deal.

So you do a Survey, you come up with a list, you deduct that from market value, and then you have a ball-park of what you should limit yourself to offer at the auction.

On the bright side, being stored in California indoors will lessen the rate of corrosion. (As long as birds didn't nest above it.)

Dave

Kyleb · **Posted:** Tue May 19, 2015 10:28 pm

Dave Hadfield wrote:

The value is dependent on the quality of the metal, as long as there isn't another factor involved in its provenance like a famous role somewhere, or owned by a famous person.

It'll need a 0-time engine. That's $120K. And a 0-time prop. That could be as much as $50K. And most of the instruments will be out of date or unserviceable.

Anything with an O-ring or a seal in it will have to come apart, be repaired, and re-installed (fuel system, engine accessories, hydraulics, brakes, gear, flaps, radiators, pumps). Much of the electrical wiring will probably be shot. That adds up quick at shop rates. Or trade for certified -- at a discount of course -- if you want a faster completion.

But the big deal is the metal. If the wing has to come off and be re-sparred, or the fuselage frames where the engine-bearers attach, that's a big deal.

So you do a Survey, you come up with a list, you deduct that from market value, and then you have a ball-park of what you should limit yourself to offer at the auction.

On the bright side, being stored in California indoors will lessen the rate of corrosion. (As long as birds didn't nest above it.)

Dave

All true, but even if the metal appears good, how much faith do you have in 70 year old fuselage stringers, spar caps, and the like? NAA built great airplanes, but I'm not sure they came with a 70+ year warrantee for intergranular corrosion... I keep reading stories where *pristine* 70 year old airplanes are opened up and aren't nearly as pristine as the external skins made the owners believe.