Thoughts on AOPA's raffle C-170?

Brad W

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That other thread about a raffle plane has me daydreaming
I was thinking about the AOPA raffle.

About 20 years ago I had settled that I wanted to find a C-170...then life got in the way.
Now when I think about it, as much as I'll be very happy when I win it, I'm not so sure the whole back country thing fits my mission. There just aren't a lot of off airport places I could take it around here as far as I know. And I can land a tricycle street tire plane on grass runways.
I'm not sure but I think I'd almost rather have it restored as a retro classic complete with wheel pants...but with an upgraded panel with autopilot, etc... Maybe something like Stevie Triesenberg and Mindy Lindheim (both on youtube) did to their old classic planes...

Anyway, I wonder, with the larger prop they are putting on it, would a winner be able to put smaller tires back on it and gain a few more knots in cruise? Regardless, the larger engine sure would be nice...especially if you can tame the fuel burn by throttling back....
 
I'd totally take it. I would have taken the Tiger and the Cub before it too. Airplane > No Airplane

I'd keep the back country feel, as that would be its mission. I would certainly keep the big tires. Have you ever landed a 170? Springy AF! Anything to absorb that energy is staying on. What it really needs is some sort of forced air (turbo / super charger) so you can get into thin air and get some decent cruise speed.
 
A classic I wouldn’t mind owning.
 
Odds are 4000:1
You pays your money and takes your chances…
 
Doesn't fit my mission. If I won it, It'd be on the market right away. Then I'd be shopping for an E33A or F33A.
 
Unfortunately I’d have to sell pretty much any raffle plane. I likely can’t afford to send the Infernal Ripoff Service a sizeable chunk of my checking account, especially considering that not only is the airplane not income but it’ll cost a pretty fair number of bucks to own it.
 
Weird thing about a C170 is that you can also land on pavement. I'm fact I'm sure Cessna had no idea the plane would be used the way it is now.
 
Bah, don't they pick a couple people then give it to the most deserving or one they like? Not a big fan of that.
 
My first thought was "A 170? Meh..." I finally found an article referencing what was done to the 170. I would LOVE to win this aircraft! You may get a couple of knots with smaller tires and speed fairings but I doubt you would get much more to make it worthwhile. The only downside I see is the insurance costs associated with an expensive tail dragger...
 
I would love to have it and would definitely keep it ... only problem is they don't give them away to the plebes like me. Pretty sure the qualifiers are you have to have a pimped out private hanger with 2 planes already or maybe a retired airline pilot with a bonanza and a lifetime membership ...
 
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