Guys!!

chris erasmus · Post by **chris erasmus** » Sun Dec 14, 2014 10:39 pm

amen to that one brothers, plus with the stearmans the pleasures lasts longer, and the behavior is predictable LOL

51598Rob · Post by **51598Rob** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:56 am

I think I'm getting a good feel for the age,..and maybe experience of those of us on this sight (I'd take only on of the Stearman). Where are those young guys that sometimes contribute? Bet their view is somewhat different?

Brenton C · Post by **Brenton C** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 7:50 am

I guess their scratching their heads, thinking "isn't Stearman one of those...what the magazines call'legacy' aircraft?"

And, by the way, what the hell are they doing, trying to goad us all into buying millenium era airplanes. Forget it.

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:28 am

http://www.avweb.com/news/features/Flyi ... 233-1.html

Heres a short good timely article on the topic.

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:47 am

I was offered a Stearman back in the mid 80's. It was flying, in annual and pretty good shape. $8000.00. I thought it was too much money. 20/20 hindsight.

TomD · Post by **TomD** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:03 pm

Yeah, I passed on a RCMP Beaver for about $75k USD in the early 80's since it looked to be too much money.

Beavers have come down in price from before the recession, but still.....

chris erasmus · Post by **chris erasmus** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:11 pm

What sort of money do you pay for a good beaver on wheels nowadays

TomD · Post by **TomD** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:20 pm

Looks like Beaver on floats is in the $395-$430k USD range.

chris erasmus · Post by **chris erasmus** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 12:28 pm

That's C for serious money, amazing no manufacturer has ever managed to build a comparable replacement fot the beaver maybe newer isn't better

Brenton C · Post by **Brenton C** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:16 pm

+1

That . . . Surprised me to hhear that's what they cost.

MauleMechanic · Post by **MauleMechanic** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:01 pm

crbnunit wrote:I was offered a Stearman back in the mid 80's. It was flying, in annual and pretty good shape. $8000.00. I thought it was too much money. 20/20 hindsight.

Back in 83 or so my dad traded a 1928 WACO for a J-3 plus $9,000 then traded the J-3 for a Pacer and sold the Pacer for $9,500. It was my understanding the J-3 was restored in 66' but was in great shape.

So $8,000 for a Stearman?

MauleMechanic · Post by **MauleMechanic** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:02 pm

Even I remember when Beavers were there ramp queens.......and Swifts rotted to the ground.

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:14 pm

Wasn't too long ago when P-51's and other war birds were rotting on ramps all over the country. Times have changed. I saw a flying Mig 15 on evilbay for $125K a week or so ago!

I still want a Swift!

truthinbeer · Post by **truthinbeer** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:26 am

chris erasmus wrote:That's C for serious money, amazing no manufacturer has ever managed to build a comparable replacement fot the beaver maybe newer isn't better

Found aircraft were building the Expedition E350 until they recently went under.

On Thursday I will be up at at little privately owned airfield in the Hunter Valley called Luskintyre Airfield. Grass strip and quite a collection of Tigermoths, Stearmans, Wirraways, Austers etc. The restoration shop is closing for Christmas that day but I will try and get some photos. May be difficult as some hangars are a bit dark. I will be leading a bunch of bikes on a day ride, should be a good day out. We will cover around 430km on back roads. Sorry for OT.

chris erasmus · Post by **chris erasmus** » Tue Dec 16, 2014 4:10 am

Had a look at the found specs, couldn't do much more than a 206 I think the problem lies in engines, 350 hp is about the max you can comfortably get out of a boxer motor, turbines are too expensive, I say bring back the radial piston, if for no other reason, than the sound.
Russians make a 9 cylinder 425 hp radial, was produced till 1989.
Post some pics when you are back from your trip.

Guys!!

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