Quote:
Originally Posted by Joeaksa
These are old fire bombers up in Canada. Same thing we used them for years ago here in the states. They were built to carry a large load. Bombs or slurry, does not matter, its all weight.
Correct on the costs.
Let me make it easy for you. When you have a plane like this you buy oil in 55 gallon barrels, and fuel comes in large tanker trucks and they come often. AvGas is going for $4.40 a gallon right now at my local airport. These puppies usually burn 20-40 gallons per hour PER engine... and use a lot of oil in many cases.
Antique airplanes like this are in many cases not that expensive to buy. Its maintaining and keeping them in the air that hurts. Friend of mine has a version of a T-6 and he is just a regular joe with a 8-5 job. He is single and saves his money and paid cash for the plane.
Just spend the last couple of days finishing the annual inspection on the one I fly and its a LOT of work. Luckily for me I am a licensed mechanic and do most of my own work.
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I believe it. I was surprised to the it "only" cost $135k. I was expecting $500 - $1MM. Operating costs aside, I can't imagine what an overhaul would cost. I mean, if a 911 engine rebuild costs 7k - 10k, I can't imagine what it would cost to rebuild one of those? $50k each? More?
I also heard that parts for these engines are becoming nearly impossible to source, with all of the fire-bombers clapped out, and good engines being gobbled up by Reno racers etc. I probably read that on this board somewhere. . . .
Fun toys. They must be a blast to fly. I'm jealous
