Free Plane?

Ok cowboy - you better buy that bird. Next one is MINE! (Just kidding - well kind of.)

I'm in the process of buying a freshly OH'd 88" beech electric with all the fixings (pitch change motor, etc). Mine turn up bad - more on that over the next few weeks. Let's just say, I have most of the extra parts I need to support my oldie for the next decade or so - but I still need a few items. Once I recharge my spending account, I'll be buying one of these "cheapies" even if the wings aren't attached....

They really are great birds, and luckily I have a couple of A&Ps I can use to help put the pieces together....

$12K - I'd buy it for that..
 
brian];1602381 said:
Ok cowboy - you better buy that bird. Next one is MINE! (Just kidding - well kind of.)

I'm in the process of buying a freshly OH'd 88" beech electric with all the fixings (pitch change motor, etc). Mine turn up bad - more on that over the next few weeks. Let's just say, I have most of the extra parts I need to support my oldie for the next decade or so - but I still need a few items. Once I recharge my spending account, I'll be buying one of these "cheapies" even if the wings aren't attached....

They really are great birds, and luckily I have a couple of A&Ps I can use to help put the pieces together....

$12K - I'd buy it for that..


You already have one old style engine, the next one you buy needs a 260hp IO-470 in it. Or find one with no engine and find a low-mid time IO-470 (or if Ex/NC ever comes through you could put in a GTSIO-520 :eek::lol:) and hang it on with a new Scimitar prop. You do want the later model switches/breakers as well, plus the trim wheel with the graduated tape is nice.
 
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You already have one old style engine, the next on you buy needs a 260hp IO-470 in it.

Not allowed in a -35 (Type cert A777 only allows an E-Series in a 1947/48 -35). Anyway, my goals for this aircraft are more "EAA" or "classic car" than "world traveler". I'll likely keep it with the older engine, etc.

IF my wife decides GA is a good way to travel, I'll likely buy into a partnership for something that would be a solid IFR platform - and likely noodle through the TN'd 36 versus 55 (or similar twin) decision.

Most likely, I'll just start building an RV (maybe a glassair) in 10 years. (Time is an issue for me right now - cheaper and more profitable to pay an A&P today.)
 
Old Bonanzas are cheap for a reason- the $$$ to dump into one to make it airworthy and IFR ready is much more than purchase price! That has been my experience anyways. Add 30K for a new engine, parts, IFR autopilot and GPS another 30K that makes the first glance 20K Bonanza into a much more expensive plane than just buy a newer one with the avionics there.
 
Old Bonanzas are cheap for a reason- the $$$ to dump into one to make it airworthy and IFR ready is much more than purchase price! That has been my experience anyways. Add 30K for a new engine, parts, IFR autopilot and GPS another 30K that makes the first glance 20K Bonanza into a much more expensive plane than just buy a newer one with the avionics there.

Um, one just sold over on BT with basically an Avidine glass panel - cost: $30K.

But yea, if you buy any aircraft - be ready to shell out some $$s. Minus my prop woes, $34 got me a really nice bird. My only problem - my goal is to restore it to a really nice condition. Be ready to shell out a bank vault full of cash if you want something show room ready. (Seen a couple of really nice V35B's with glass, fresh engine, etc - both over $200K!)
 
brian];1602390 said:
Not allowed in a -35 (Type cert A777 only allows an E-Series in a 1947/48 -35). Anyway, my goals for this aircraft are more "EAA" or "classic car" than "world traveler". I'll likely keep it with the older engine, etc.

IF my wife decides GA is a good way to travel, I'll likely buy into a partnership for something that would be a solid IFR platform - and likely noodle through the TN'd 36 versus 55 (or similar twin) decision.

Most likely, I'll just start building an RV (maybe a glassair) in 10 years. (Time is an issue for me right now - cheaper and more profitable to pay an A&P today.)

That's my point, you have one nice classic, but you want a traveling machine. You don't want to be buying another old classic to serve as your traveling machine, it will have all the same issues as this one that keeps it from serving as your traveling machine.

The A-36 makes a nice machine, but in a 'You and your Wife' mission, a TN S-35 will give you a lot more bang for your buck unless your wife wants to fly into antique markets. Then you may as well get a Beech 18.:lol: the big area in the back and the big doors are nice if you use it. Otherwise they are an expensive option that costs you in drag on every flight as well. There is a direct relationship between drag and $$$.
 
Old Bonanzas are cheap for a reason- the $$$ to dump into one to make it airworthy and IFR ready is much more than purchase price! That has been my experience anyways. Add 30K for a new engine, parts, IFR autopilot and GPS another 30K that makes the first glance 20K Bonanza into a much more expensive plane than just buy a newer one with the avionics there.


The same can be said for any airplane.
 
That's my point, you have one nice classic, but you want a traveling machine. You don't want to be buying another old classic to serve as your traveling machine, it will have all the same issues as this one that keeps it from serving as your traveling machine.

The A-36 makes a nice machine, but in a 'You and your Wife' mission, a TN S-35 will give you a lot more bang for your buck unless your wife wants to fly into antique markets. Then you may as well get a Beech 18.:lol: the big area in the back and the big doors are nice if you use it. Otherwise they are an expensive option that costs you in drag on every flight as well. There is a direct relationship between drag and $$$.

Point - and I'm still learning. I really just have a 10 year goal with this airplane. The BT members hate me saying it, but it will likely turn into beer cans after I'm done with it - I hope not, but I'm a bit of a realist.

A TN'd S35 is a possibility. Either way, that is a different critter than the one I have now. Buy-in is basically everything I've spent on my oldie so far (and I'm including the prop I'm in the process of buying). Even with the added costs of flying to antique markets, the plumbing on those continentals doesn't look cheap - but would be important if you really wanted to stay above the bumps and going long distance.

Anyway, it's fun talking about what might happen. As long as my engine doesn't start making metal (looking good after over 300 hours) then I'll likely just fly the antique on hamburger runs and the odd trip to grandma's house..
 
I was hoping no one would post this as it's on my short list to grab. Anyway, I have investigated this plane a few times. It's in great shape but dated interior and radios. The airframe and engine and prop are in very nice condition.

This is a lightweight B35 model without the rudder cuffs, and has a E225 engine. It is blistering fast for an older plane and would make a good hauler for 3 people for a long time.

It needs some int refurb and has a decent oil leak in the acc case. No indication of serious corrosion but some tracks on the ruddervators. Well priced for engine and prop hours. I can do a PPI for anyone interested, and give it a test fly.

Bowling green $7500 is sold and gone.


Sorry about that, didn't mean to advertise it...

Although, the reason those planes are so cheap is that the pool of buyers is very small. You have to want one, and be able to do the work to fix one up. And, most people who can do the work have all the old planes they really need.

I know the mechanics I talked to when I was looking would not have let me buy that plane, and would have told me to find someone else to work on it. The mechanics I know don't want to see me tossing good money down a rat hole.

If i could do the work myself, the story would be different.

What's wrong with the two planes for $20k package?
 
Well we know where the dropped zero from the Bo ad went.
 
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