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"and Ladies and gentlemen if u look to the ......

Posted by Tony on Tue Dec 04, 2001 03:54:31 PM

In reply top Re: How we describe warbird projects -long - views sought please posted by Christer on Tue Dec 04, 2001 09:34:19 AM

...end of the runway, you'll see the not totally authentic Spitfire which was rebuilt 20 times taxi-ing to the end of the runway"

A mouthful for the airshow commentator , so how about this?

Does it contain 99% of it's construction, true to the original design or specification?

Then it's that aircraft as described. Flugwerke 190's will be referred to, as FOCKE-WULF 190's on the circuit, and that is how their owners think of them.

Did it once fly in combat in some shape or form, but has since been changed more times then a changed thing.... Then lets do it this way

BIN the military serial,or keep it for the authenticity of the paint scheme, and it gets known by its civvy registration. The Dataplate, provides for a historical reference, for enthusiasts and researchers, who quite frankly, are the only ones who give a toss. The crowd at an airshow, couldn't care less how many times it's been re-built, it's flying , and giving them and its' pilot pleasure
Why are we arguing about nuts and bolts?

I'll tell you why. MONEY

If you can give a historical provenance to your aircraft, then it is worth more MONEY, isn't that the case?

Back here, on Planet Earth, the newer an item is, the more money it's worth. The same goes, if its over 100 years old, then it is an antique, and worth MONEY. So, when someone says to you, this aeroplane is 100 years old, do u want to fly it? We know the answer.

Warbird prices, and provenance, are the result of 80's and 90's speculation, driving prices up, and making sure, that everyone wants their aircraft refered to, as genuine as possible, to drive the MONEY up.

I couldn't care less, if the aircraft was found in a hangar in outer bongdwanaland, or built from scratch. Does it conform to the original design specifications? Good, it's the aircraft as designed then

The overriding factor, and therefore the PRICE and MONEY, should be reflected, in the quality of the article, I am having to pay for, and risk my ass flying. The more expensive it is, then the better the job. Not "it's expensive, because it's got a history, even though me metal-bashing skills ain't up to scratch, and I wouldn't fly it".

Categorising aircraft like this stinks. It smells of elitism. "Oh, my aircraft is more expensive then yours, because i have more money, you are QED a peasant"

This industry needs an OPEN market, with honest and fair evaluations done, on the quality of the item offered for sale. Categorising aircraft like this, is sheer snobbery

If fuel lasts that long, and people are still flying, do you think that aircraft in 20 years time, will possibly have ANY original components in it, apart from the panel and the rear view mirror? NO, it won't.

If you are going to buy a bloody aeroplane, and it's owner, want's you to pay through the nose , because it was once flown on an air test by an ace, just ask him one question

"How much of it, is original" You already know the answer, beat him up on the price.

In todays market, there are 2 types of warbird.

1. REFURBISHED
2 NEWBUILD

It's incredible, a lot of us are Pilots on this forum. When we buy an aircraft, the first thing we say, is how many hours since/Till it's next overhaul, how many hours has it flown? and THAT dictates the price. But, as soon as we're faced with a "warbird" we throw logic out the window. Honestly, if we let our wives/girlfriends buy aircraft on our behalf, this conversation would never arise.

The only ORIGINAL warbirds, were back in 1945. Engines off, straight into museums or collections. We know the identities of all those.

Tony
(simmer gently)



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