WIX Archives
Re: TBM's
Posted by Troy on Tue Mar 26, 2002 09:37:14 PM
In reply top Re: TBM's posted by Tim Savage on Tue Mar 26, 2002 01:52:33 PM
: Dan is correct! I looked at one of the three TBMs that Fo
: rest Protection was auctioning off in August 2000. I bid o
: n one. I calculated that by the time it was rebuilt back t
: o some semblance of military appearance I could pay about
: $30000.00 for the airplane and still have a chance of keep
: ing my head aboe water. Needless to say I lost the bid and
: some others paid way to much for the airplanes in my opin
: ion. Now, I have not inspected all of them, but I bet tha
: t they need LOTS of work.
I visited these aircraft when they were still stationed in Miramichi, New Brunswick in early spring 2000. I spoke to one of the pilots who stated they were all under 3500 hours on the airframes, don't know if he was 100% correct or not. They were really gracious and even started one up on the tarmac so I could hear the roaring engine. These things were heavily modified for firefighting but had low flying time when purchased as surplus and really haven't flown very much during their careers. Last I heard
they are still owned by Forest Protection Services and currently in hangers at a facility in Fredricton, NB.
Follow Ups:
- FPL TBM's status - Dan K Tue Mar 26, 2002 10:37:54 PM