46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

[jwomble]

There is a 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives? N44098 looks good in the pics - why would it be so under priced.

[Robert Lees]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Link please, that would be of help to us furriners.

Rob

Edit: Sorry, "Aliens".

[PA1195]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

http://www.barnstormers.com/index.php

Search Taylorcraft. Several cheaper than the Aqua 1500 floats offered as well. Can't hardly buy something that flys for less.

The plane market is saturated and cost of old fabric aircraft restoration exceeds finished value unless it's a long term hobby project that'll never get sold. There are also few new starts as pilots looking to build time that have access to financing, which is a risk for loaning institutions who often end up repo'ing the aircraft.

Unless it's a Piper, then they are in demand due to support and popularity.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

If it is a J-3 Piper or Super Cub. Pacers, Tri-Pacers and even Cherokees are pretty undervalued right now.

[M Towsley]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Chances are the pictures look good but in-person probably not so good.

Here is the ad for those interested.....or not. http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=1254764

[PA1195]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Boomer nostalgia buys J-3's and Super Cubs. Commercial ops needing 2-pl for guiding buy Cubs and clones. But Hank's point on the Pacer family being undervalued is very true...and for most a better overall transport and value. I'd not pass up one in good shape on summer and winter landing gear. Folks pay a lot more for 5 mph lower landing speed.

I've often wondered why there isn't an industry in restorations. Buy low, sell high, prosper. But the reality is it's lots of work...skilled labor work...and not without exposure to liability and chemicals. Cub Crafters (and several others) finally said let's focus on serving the affluent with an airplane itch to scratch a well equipped plane, and forget restorations which was their first order of business.

A friend took in his perfectly good PA-18 almost two years ago to be restored airframe wise. He's still waiting for product. Almost two years of his flying life gone. That's another reason to buy it done and not expect to do it some day.

Gary

[Jim Herpst]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Chances are the pictures look good but in-person probably not so good.

Here is the ad for those interested.....or not. http://www.barnstormers.com/ad_detail.php?ID=1254764

More than likely this is a flying project. Flying now but needs a serious re build ? Relevant here also is the market IS Flooded with more planes (after decades of dwindling pilot population) The current selling market market is dismal. Perfect examples up and down the in the light single market are SELLING at a SLIGHT premium. Still not anywhere at prices near the "investment" for a restoration. Lets hope however the current pilot shortage reverses if not so much for the aircraft ten the entire GA industry!

[PA1195]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

The expense and time involved with obtaining a PPL today is getting prohibitive for the young regardless of their motivation. Locally it can exceed $10K. Apply that to a previous or post aircraft purchase and the costs mount. Then there's annual fixed costs etc. Winters in Alaska can be brutal for flying and only for the motivated.

Any aircraft requiring restoration of the airframe or engine can soon exceed the initial investment and return little if sold. This trend isn't new or unknown. Our airport is populated by many flat tire airplanes that are out of license or unairworthy.

For those that have the money and time why fix (especially if paying someone else) when you could be flying? I can see having hangar hobby restoration projects, but only there's another to fly in the meantime.

I'm thankful for my flying life that was quite different than today's.

Gary

[Nefj40]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Sadly, disposable aircraft.
Need a recover? Pull the wings off and throw it in the weeds. Buy one that's legal.
Need a new engine? Pull the wings off and throw it in the weeds. Buy one that's legal.

[fearofpavement]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Sadly, disposable aircraft.
Need a recover? Pull the wings off and throw it in the weeds. Buy one that's legal.
Need a new engine? Pull the wings off and throw it in the weeds. Buy one that's legal.

Could you share the address of your disposal site? I'd like to visit it.

[Nefj40]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Could you share the address of your disposal site? I'd like to visit it.

That's what I'm looking for.

[astjp2]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

If I was in it for the money, I would not be making fuel valves....or doing annuals, or fixing anything on airplanes for other people...Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

If I was in it for the money, I would not be making fuel valves....or doing annuals, or fixing anything on airplanes for other people...Tim

True, but it is every restorers dream to come across a pile of really screwed up antique parts that can be taken back to correct or used to fix our planes!

Hank

Of course it is also part of the dream that they are free for the taking, including things like cowl grill trim, instrument placards (ORIGINAL!!!), hard or impossible small bits and little things like the original first aid kit and fire extinguisher. The things of good dreams!

[jwomble]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Don't look now but the price has been lowered to 11,000. If the wingtips are not Taylorcraft then without an STC how are they legal?

[Jim Herpst]

Re: 46 Taylorcraft on Barnstomers with fresh annual - 12500 - what gives?

Don't look now but the price has been lowered to 11,000. If the wingtips are not Taylorcraft then without an STC how are they legal?

Think the wing tips are indeed original. If they are not how can they be legal you ask..... plenty of stuff is on Certified planes and not legal. Not saying the ones on this plane are not legal ...just looked a bit off when I first glanced at it.

As far as the price? If it is a flying project (IF) the price is starting to get a bit closer to the market. Not having seen it I really do not know. I recall once looking at a Taylorcraft that was up and flying up in Michigan. The gent wanted about the price this one is listed for (this was years ago mind you) it needed a total rebuild. I offered him 6500.00 Of course he went off like a Roman Candle stating he would not give it away...six months or so later I picked up the TAYLORCRAFT news letter that Bruce Bixler used to do and found he had purchased it. I called and asked him about it ...He paid would you guess ? $6500!! Bruce by the way confirmed the total re build needed.

Perhaps this one can be purchased and someone could fly it for years with out much$$... If that is ones fancy then a whale of a deal!!!