made an offer on my old plane...

Well, I found the guy that currently owns my old airplane. It had passed from the fellow I had sold it to to Jim who keeps it with the CAF Dixie Wing where it is used for check outs. The big news is that they put a NEW center section in it, one that had never even been in an airplane before they found NOS. They've done a very aggressive job w/ corrosion control, although paint is quite tired (patinated?) and the avionics still suck. The engine is approaching high time at 800 hours.

He wants to finish the season with it, and we came to a price that included check out (not cheap) for late this year.

So, do I want to go Macho or ease into retirement in a Commander 114?

I just may do this while I am still young.
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It's looking pretty good, actually. It's a simple VFR plane which is what I like.
Also has new control cables all around.
Looking at a hangar at historic Stinson Field.
Would have to stop for gas in Shelby County Alabama, where I first soloed - perhaps some of the Bham contingent can meet up.

 

You run FerrariChat

Depends what you like about flying - warbirds, especially like the T-6, are an incredibly engaging experience. The people sure are great, especially T-6 folks. I bought the SNJ after having a Champ for a year in 1986, so if I can fly it anyone can. It certainly costs less to maintain than a Ferrari (except for gas - 30 gph cruise).
As to prices, try this website out. Mark is always on the high side, but is reputable and has some quality pieces.
www.courtesyaircraft.com

 

While I do not heave the # in front of me, you can get a T-6 in and out of 2500' pretty comfortably.
My cruise was usually 150 mph @ 30 gph.

 

I'll plan on it!

 

My dad, a B-29 pilot in WW2, used to talk about how he enjoyed training in the BT-13.
Anyone have any time in these?

 

Am getting closer. We are looking at drawing up a contract for delivery with check out at end of season and when I get back from overseas.

I have been nosing around other airplanes since am about to drop this much $$. There is a guy with a T-28A with a 3 blade that says his plane will do 180 KNOTS at 36 gph and does not need a type rating (not over 800 hp). I must say that does sound tempting compared to 150 miles per hour at 30 gph. I know it's a Wright and all that means, but it also has like 5 SMOH.
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that's the thing exactly - how much x-c do I want to do. I have never done much in the past, but there are times it would sure be nice to have a nice fast x/c plane. The T-6 was ok, if a bit rustic way to travel.
I guess I need to fly a t-28 to see if I would even like it.

What I think I need sometimes is one of those NA-50/P-64 conversions - a bit faster than the t-6 (clipped wing and 3 bladed prop on geared 1340), but same fuel burn and maintenence.

Well, anyway, I'm pretty well committed to the reliable ol' J bird unless I have some epiphinal conversion. .

 

Jasper is certainly on the way. Over the years I've heard of some of the tricks the T-6 racers do -- such as over 40+ inches MAP in an engine designed for 36".

Getting closer.

 

Hmmm
Another plane came up for $10K more with a fresh engine. Will call.
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I used to joke that I had more time squeezed down into the monocoque than I did in the cockpit. I sneezed Zn chromate primer for days. There is no way I could fit down in there any more.

My own personal quote on restoring my plane:
"I know almost each and every rivet and nut on that plane - so well, that they each have a name. And, most of them have the same name, a name which is not repeatable here."