Please rescue this 1956 C-172

[dewhitaker]

Hi tribe, I am just posting this as a call out to all lovers of airplanes. I know where there is a sad neglected 1956 Cessna 172. It has not flown to my knowledge in 20 years. It has been hangered in an open front hanger. It would be a real project for someone to take on. The owner is a member of our flying club, but no one ever sees him anymore. Last activity was around 6 years ago when the engine was pulled alledgedly to be overhauled. New tires were put on it.

If you know of anyone who would be interested in more information, I would be happy to try to put them together with the owner to see if he is interested in selling. It is a shame to see the old girl sitting there like that.

Feel free to PM me.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

This sad story is replicated in hundreds of small airports around the country. Often the owners are not really wanting to sell even though they will probably never again fly the beast, the fact that they "might" or at least would like to keeps them going. There seems to be an especially strong emotial tie with aircraft and their owners. I know of a similar vintage C-172 that has been sitting on a guys property for years and years. (not even on a strip) He talks about selling but obviously doesn't want to sell it seriously as the price he is talking exceeds that of an airworthy one and is not appropriate to a plane a decade out of annual. The "new" interior is now chewed by mice, etc...
Sad but not rare. It is always fun to hear of someone reclaiming one of these derelicts and putting it back in the air.

[lawheelock]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

I have a theory on these derilict planes that are everywhere that goes beyond the usual emotional ties theory.
I believe that some of them are owned by someone that bought them when they were new or nearly new and did a quick write-off on their business taxes. Now, years later, the planes are percieved to be worth more than what they paid and they dread the perceived paperwork that would be required if they sold them for more than they paid and had to report the gain with a zero basis. Some of them might be obatinable if the prospective purchaser could come up with tax advice for the owner.
Just a thought.

[mhorowit]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

Here's another thought: He sees himself as a pilot and aircraft owner. That's hot stuff as far as how he identifies himself - Mike

[hangarb7]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

I have seen literally dozens of planes like this that have been abandoned, although their owners don't think of it that way. Somewhere in their mind, the value is still there and the airplane will fly again. But we know mostly otherwise.

I have seen three instances where airplanes have been kept far too long by older folks, that haven't been flying anymore, yet seem to be unable to relinquish their grasp on their airplanes. I've been told that to sell the airplanes would mean that they would be giving up.

In one case, a C-150 and and an L-bird Aeronca were left to rot while the owner turned 94, then flew west. The daughter has had them for sale for several years, the L-bird covered in pidgeon poop in a damp, leaky hangar and the 150 out on a ramp, tires flat. She is asking quadruple or more than what they are truly worth. And I've told her so, but she got mad at me. Yet no one wants to buy them.

And no Jim, I haven't contacted our dear friend's estate to see about his T-craft. Too busy I guess, but at least it is in a hangar.

Jack Dernorsek
N44057

[Acroeric]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

I have a friend here at work desperately looking for an old square tail 172. Can you forward me the phone number or registration number.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

The first plane I ever bought (yes, a Taylorcraft) was owned by a guy who just couldn't bear to part with her. I had been going out to the airport and keeping the tires up and pulling the prop through, cleaning out birds nests and stuff for a couple of years just because I couldn't bear to see her deteriorate. He never would sell her untill the airport owner told him I spent more time working on her than he did looking at her.
What finally broke the barrier down was I prommised I would give him first right of refusal if I ever sold her (and I would, but I don't thisk I will ever sell her! She will be with me till I die, just with someone else flying her). He cried when he sold her but said he knew I would take better care than he had and it helped to know he could buy her back someday. I'm now looking for a younger partner on one of my planes who will keep her nice in exchange for owning her when I'm gone. There are a LOT of younger guys and gals out there who can't afford a plane and would love access to one. Let's not have any of US be the kind who won't let go when our time is past. I'm looking for a partner who will help restore one for a share (and eventual ownership) and who will take me up to fly her when I'm not safe to go alone any more.
By the way, if the original owner really wants the one I prommised back when I'm done, I would still honor the agreement. He's older than I am and has never even wanted a ride in over 20 years. Breaking that bond the first day is the hard part. Try a different tact with these owners. Ask them to "partner" with you.

[dewhitaker]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

Thank you all for your interest in this rescue mission. I took some pictures of her today and will be sending them to the first interested party who contacted me. If he wants me to pursue it further I will contact the owner to determine willingness to sell.

I do not know the guy and have never met him before, all I know is he always pays his club dues each year. I hope he is not going to be one of these types who will just let it rot away. My Dad for several years also used to put air in the tires just to keep it from looking so forelorn, but he finally gave up.

Anybody got any ideas how I should go about making the first contact?

I will keep everyone in the loop as this saga plays itself out, good or bad. My hope is the owner will be reasonable and a deal can be made and we can save this bird so she can do what she was meant to do.

[1938BF50]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

Hank is right on the money!

I bought a LOT of old John Deere tractors that other guys had been after for years.....just by offering first right and/or assuring the owner that I had no intentions of ever parting out their "baby". I went out of my way several times to take the tractors back to the old gents to see the finished restoration. Many foggy eyes resulted.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Please rescue this 1956 C-172

Dave, Who is he or they or she?