Fw-189 breaks cover

[blurrkup]

Just saw this interesting post on instagram by ARCO, they have been restoring the Fw-189 and it is now looking for a new owner.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CR6k5RZh5v6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[Thomas_Mac]

Direct link to their website
https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/fw189

[Michel Lemieux]

Thank you! Have been wondering about that one for a LONG time!!!!!

Just odd that it had been sitting at ARCO for that long and nobody reported it!!!!!! or saw it in a general hangar picture.................

I guess some are better than others are keeping things hush hush.

[Jesse C.]

Well, time to go buy some Lotto tickets!

[blurrkup]

Thank you! Have been wondering about that one for a LONG time!!!!!

Just odd that it had been sitting at ARCO for that long and nobody reported it!!!!!! or saw it in a general hangar picture.................

I guess some are better than others are keeping things hush hush.

I think from some of the pictures it is away from public view, though is in the hangar.

[JohnB]

Neat project, I hope it finds a home.

Pretty steep price for a project where you'll have to double the purchase price to have it finished.

The warbird community doesn't have trouble selling SE fighters, but I don't know if there is a market for an expensive oddity.

There seem to be a fair amount of unique/different fliers and projects out there that are interesting from a historic perspective, but not enough for someone to write a large cheque.

As an example...
I'm still surprised there isn't a Mosquito in the UK....I would assume it's because of cost and the fact it's not a Spitfire.

[quemerford]

Alternatively, whereas a single-seat fighter has a fairly niche market, a multi-seat machine is something you can take your family on vacation in. Horses for courses. I'd go for this above a Spitfire or Mustang.

[Firebird]

As an example...
I'm still surprised there isn't a Mosquito in the UK....I would assume it's because of cost and the fact it's not a Spitfire.

That about sums it up.

There are two seperate groups trying to raise funds to get one in the UK, but although one is further ahead than the other one, IMHO, neither is likely to come to fruition, as they are both competing against each other for the same limited funds.

Of course its likely that at some point in the near future the FHC Mosquito will be up for sale, but I suspect that will have a close to $10m price tag.....and no appropriate paperwork to satisfy the UK CAA. Shame as it spent a lot of its post service life hanging up in the IWM at Lambeth with one wing cut off, before being acquired by TFC and being stored in a corner of their hanger at Duxford until being sold to FHC, and therefore it would be nice to have that one back in the UK.

[JohnB]

I didn't know the history of the FHC Mosquito.
My "Mosquito Survivors" book by Stuart Howe is very out of date!

I saw it (missing said wing) in the IWM in the' '70s during a month-long college course in the UK.
As such, it's the first Mosquito I saw.

[Michel Lemieux]

I think the bumper sticker price of 1.5M is fair considering the uniqueness and the level of advancement.

This being said.....I see a few paths.

- Static low investment to finish it. This would be a specific type of investor
- Finish to flying condition...and like The first non Buchon ME-109 Black 6...give it a few spin around the block. Then go static.
- Find a unique owner who will maintain and show it on a specific and rare occasions in the air

In all cases....pretty sure it will be almost impossible to insure even if it is a gentle flying bird. It is in the unobtanium realm after all. So at your own risk. Very few wallets and collectors will be willing to invest and take that risk. But who knows!?

My personal take is that I just hope that we get to see more of the story line on what has happened since it went under the radar. Story line, parts hunting, drawings & spec hunting, reproduction challenges, bits and parts re-incorporated vs. remanufactured....etc.....

Since the Allen collection started to show up for sale recently, this was the one I was looking to get info on.

Cheers all......

EDIT & BTW.....this was my 3rd plastic 1/72 model as a 9 year old kid. Hence my fascination.

[warbirdfinder]

Considering Allen paid one million USD before restoration, 1.5 million is not a bad price.

[marine air]

It’s totally worth that. It’s an awesome and diverse weapons platform that performed many missions well. It’s the sole survivor of its type. It had unique flying capabilities. I’d rather have a flyable FE-189 than some fighter types.

[Scott Rose]

Thank you! Have been wondering about that one for a LONG time!!!!!

Me too!!!

[shepsair]

Restoration and location have been known for a bit. Just not reportable.

Vulcan (FHC parent company) have loads on non disclosure agreements for people involved and likewise with photos. They like to keep things quiet and report when they need to.

I doubt $1m for the purchase is correct. I know Jim Pearce started collecting parts. He had two new Argus engines and a spare tailplane.

Would prefer PA sister got it finished and then sell it.

Can see it ending up with the Fw200 in Berlin on static.

regards,

Mark

Recovery and history. https://www.facebook.com/groups/avarch/ ... 907291331/

[Mike]

Restoration and location have been known for a bit. Just not reportable.

Indeed. And the NDAs were flowed down to subcontractors too. I had to refer to it a “A unique Luftwaffe reconnaissance type” in an article I wrote recently.