Waiting to be found

timshatz · 03-07-2008, 02:08 PM

That was a 601! He make on of those Buchons back into a 109E.

MONDARIZ · 03-07-2008, 04:04 PM

Better to sell a few Buchons and buy a proper Me109 project.

As far as I know, the lack of proper engines have halted a few Me109 projects.

pbfoot · 03-07-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MONDARIZ

Better to sell a few Buchons and buy a proper Me109 project.

As far as I know, the lack of proper engines have halted a few Me109 projects.

from personal expieriance its tough to get 109 parts , many things are virtually unavailable

ghilt · 03-07-2008, 11:01 PM

Most people recognise Kingman, AZ. ....The most aircraft at any disposal site was at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas....There were a lot of other sites across the States....Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Fl....Ok...Stilwater, where Paul Mantz purchased at that time , the worlds second largest airforce....He did good there...made his money back, and then some, by draining all the fuel from the planes and reselling it...After picking out the ones he wanted, he sold the rest to salvage dealers...Altus, OK....where they found the Memphis Belle, and Art Laceys famous B-17...it's in Milwaulke, Or. the gas station bomber

The agriculture industry saved a lot of the smaller aircraft ...mostly the trainers..BT-13...PT-17 etc...The ag pilots bought them for their engines, cheaper than overhauling them..plus throw on a larger engine...better payload..more earning potential..

When I grew up in the early 60s, there wasn't a podunk airport around the mid-west that didn't have at least one old trainer lurking in the weeds..a bunch of us kids karted off an old Stearman fuselage, still on its gear to provide us years of being the P-51 ace, or the bomber crew...Wish I had it now!

The air tanker industry is what kept the big iron around...there wouldn't be near as many B-17s around if it weren't for them..and my bird wouldn't either!

ghilt · 03-07-2008, 11:48 PM

Holy Cow! I didn't realise that there were 6 pages to this thread when I posted the previous.....Now I have read thru them!

I bought my PV-2 last year...this bird was the bastard of a group of 4 Harpoons auctioned off in 2005 in Wyoming...

I was called by Bill Duff, who had bought my PV at the auction. He bought it for one purpose..to make money...It was Jan. 07 when he told me that he was getting ready to sell this PV to a guy in California, that was going to cut the wings off, and turn her into a hotdog stand...I just couldn't see that happening to her, so I paid the price...

Now comes the reason why most of these larger aircraft are usually scrapped on the spot...It's a monumental task to move them without having a money tree....

I've cought a lot of flak about buying her...what are you going to do with it? Are you going to fly it? How are you going to afford to fly it? Why don't you give it up to somebody that can afford it? Why don't you donate it? How in the world are you going to move it?

Well, ya know, I get a little sick of some of these butt heads..(including my wife sometimes). No, I don't have a money tree...but I'll try my best to get her moved and restored to static condition...at my place...at my leasure...My best reply is that it seems to me that nobody wanted her, But I do. So now I climb off my soap box......

I am glad I bought her...call her "Harpoon Annie"......I realise that I am just the custodian of her..and will try my best to ensure that she long outlives me. Since stepping off the cliff, I have met the most incredible group of people in the last year, and for what it's worth, the whole ordeal the past year has been worth every penny!

Anyway, I have a grandson that thinks Papa's airplane is cool...and that too makes it worthwhile....My attitude is, that all comments, suggestions, and help is welcome...All are welcome to come visit Annie, spend a little quiet time sitting in her cockpit....well, maybe not that quiet...I'll be making the engine noise...

MONDARIZ · 03-08-2008, 12:45 AM

Hi Ghilt,

Great work saving the PV-2, "Harpoon Annie" looks happy.

Although its a daunting task to care for an old aircraft (without the money three, or some organisation behind you), thats the way a lot of aircraft have been preserved through the years - by people who care.

Its a lot easier to see what you can do, now that you have her. Maybe you can't provide for a "return to flight" restoration, but that does not mean, that you can't keep it from deteriorating, and thats a big part of aircraft presevation.

There are books around, which are dealing with aircraft presevation on all levels. I'm not sure how much you know about it, but since you say, that you have met a lot of people, I'm sure you have got some pointers.

For long term ground storage, its best to get her of ground (on jacks), but that might not be very economical. There are also various treatments, that you can do to stop further deterioration. If you havn't yet, you should look into it soon.

Now that "Harpoon Annie" is safe, you can just wait for some change in life, that will enable you to see her taxi, and maybe one day she will fly.

I actually started this thread for just that reason. To discuss planes that needed to be found by people like you.

I would love to see more pictures and hear a bit more about her.

All the best

MONDARIZ

Marcel · 03-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Ghilt, good work mate. If only I lived in the US I would like to see it.

pbfoot · 03-09-2008, 06:00 PM

There a great number of wrecks to be found in the north of Canada and Alaska , in Goose bay there were about 200 crash sites within 80miles including such things as B17's 24's 36's here is a sight that shows some of them
Abandoned Plane Wrecks of the North

Pittanker · 03-09-2008, 08:24 PM

Hi all I am new to this site, But I am in the process of building a JU-87 from scratch. I can tell you first hand that those birds do exist out there. I went to an avaiation school auction and found an L-17 Navion. It was in exact militray configuration, served with the USAF in Korea, NY and ended up at Westpoint. Price I paid $500 for the complete bird. Dont just hope!!!!! DO IT

MONDARIZ · 03-10-2008, 01:26 AM

Building a JU-87 from scratch, thats a mighty project. Hope you have a few friends to help you.

I would say a ball-park figure is 150.000 man hours (thats about 17 years non-stop work).

Do you have any pictures of it?

I would love to see the project. I'm not big into replicas, but its great some people are. Like the Me-262 they are building now.

MONDARIZ · 03-10-2008, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbfoot

There a great number of wrecks to be found in the north of Canada and Alaska , in Goose bay there were about 200 crash sites within 80miles including such things as B17's 24's 36's here is a sight that shows some of them
Abandoned Plane Wrecks of the North

Yes, thats a great site.

But if its C-47, C-54, or C-46 you are looking for, there are plenty sitting around airports. I have been using Google Earth to peek at airports around the world, and there are a surprising number of those birds still flying. Others are just waiting for the scrapper on the outskirts of airfields.

Try any central american airport.

Heinz · 03-10-2008, 03:40 AM

Wow good luck with projects guys!

A4K · 03-10-2008, 03:53 AM

Ghilt and Pittanker! All the best for your projects guys!
For anyone who tells you you're mad, you'll find two warbird nuts who'll be grateful for your work and patience, not to mention the future generations who will be able to see something so special, instead of just a rusting hulk.

Hat's off to ya's for your courage and dedication

Njaco · 03-26-2008, 08:37 AM

Heres one for Charles. Just found this interesting site.

Side Scan Sonar Systems - Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd.

Messy1 · 03-26-2008, 10:53 AM

The Soplata article is great! Wish more people had the foresight to save many more of these old birds!