Quote:
Originally Posted by WVOtoGO
Well there’s always more to buying a war bird than one might expect. It’s not just about handing over money and receiving the keys. There’s lots of paperwork and lots of training that have to go along with it.
I have no doubt that we could spend the night in a hotel room going over the operators manual, flying a few laps around the pattern with an experienced pilot (usually the owner). Then heading her home. But there’s more to becoming proficient in it than that.
It often takes years to find the right one as well. I can jump on line and find half a dozen P-51s for sale in two minutes. B-25s (as most WWII Bombers) on the other hand, tend to stay with their owners for quite a while. Not too many on the market. We’ve had an ear out for quite some time. Thought seriously about a WWII (or vintage) twin for the past few years. The wife is just a bit more ready than I am.
So anyway - Up pops this one. Looks nice. But it’s not done. The owner died prior to finishing the restoration. That means I have to finish it. Or hire someone who knows more about this aircraft than I do (Just about anyone) to finish it for us. ($$$$CAAA-CHINGGG$$$$) The good news is it’s cheap, as B-25s go. But there’s a few major items (props, an engine, fuel cells) that need attention. Not to mention some list of issues from a test flight that we’ve yet to see. There’s also getting the trailer load of spares home.
So - That’s why it’s been 5 years, and not 1 minute. Though I will admit - This one did look good within the first minute. 
Though it sucks for cross country flights. I’m thinking we’ll take the 530 just to see the mountains up close. Secluded picnics are in the plans as well.
Thanks for the tips guys on the sites. We’ll do the BBQ for sure.
PS - Yes, the wife is a Brit. Yes, I love the accent too. But, after 12 years, I don't really think about it. Everyone else sure has to comment though. She can sure do some pretty cute things over the radios with it.   |
Best of luck with the purchase, if you should choose to go that route. They do a lot of plane restoration around here. It's always great to see a part of history saved and restored to what it was - even if it isn't 100% what is was.
If I had the money and the skill, I couldn't have resisted it for 5 years. Of course, the logistics of the matter, especially the safety aspects, could never be rushed.
My mom, or should I say mum, is british. I've listened to her my whole life and to me she doesn't have an accent. When I was a kid I was in love with this model of a Churchill tank at the local hobby shop. I'd go in every week or so and look at the thing. Mom was with me, as she drove sometimes. She never said a thing about that tank. A few weeks before christmas, I rode my bike over to the hobby shop and the model was gone! I asked the owner what had happened. He told me that "...some lady that talked funny came in and bought it the other day." Needless to say, I still thought is was a cool model come Christmas morning.