WIX Archives

Re: Decisions

Posted by Tim Savage on Tue Dec 24, 2002 09:56:33 PM

In reply top Re: Decisions posted by david j burke on Tue Dec 24, 2002 01:48:26 PM

: So am I Tim . Maybe you should read the FlyPast issue from
: many years ago regarding the Globe Air Harpoon's and the
: crash of a machine in the desert . I think there are difer
: ent sentiments in the U.S to the U.K in what is rebuilt an
: d what isn't. Unfortunately the motivating factor
: often in a warbird rebuild is the financial reward at the
: end. I know of hardly any instances where a family has reb
: uilt a machine that has killed or injured a family member
: as a memorial.

I am struggling to see how the Globe Air Harpoon accident bears any relation to your comments about the Spit. Maybe you can enlighten me further so I understand what you are getting at.

I have that Flypast article from 1986, but don't need to read it to have an intimate knowledge of that accident or airplane. I own substantial remains of that airplane, and one of my close friends was in the right seat when she went in. Of course no one was hurt, and the remains of the airplane are available should anyone ever want to make a substantial investment to restore it. Of course, since the Harpoon isn't that popular and there are a bunch sitting around in the weeds at airports in the Southest USA, it is unlikely.

As for the financial gain of restoring a warbird. I don't know of too many people who can say that they have recovered their investment in a warbird restoration. Generally, you will spend a lot more restoring an airplane than you can sell it for when it is finished. Now over time you might recoup it, but probably not, given the amount you could have made on interest on that same amount of money. Most people who restore warbirds do it for the love of the project and the airplane, not because they expect a financial windfall when their project is finished. This is especially true if one is hiring the work out to professional shops.

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