skybill, you're not gonna pass this one up, are you?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F %2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm37%26sat itle%3D250244737479%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=250244737479

Funny! I was putting some stuff up for sale on eBay tonight and saw that listing.

There are only 2 things keeping me from buying it.

1 - I don't have a pilot's license.
2 - I don't have $88,000!

Otherwise I'd be all over it!

It's a cool plane. I've always loved the DC-3.

Thanks Skep!

Here's another one with only 23,000 TTAF.
No price listed. Wonder how many hours on the ebay one.

I couldn't find airframe hours, but this plane supposedly burns 100 gal/hr and if the 800 gallon fuel capacity is correct, we're looking at $4,000 fill-ups! Also, the engine has to be rebuilt every 640 hours and that's $45,000, and there's TWO engines!

I always liked the DC-3 ever since I saw my first one at the old OMSI when I was 10.

But I'm saving my money for a Lockheed Constellation!

I'm holding out for a B-17

Ah yes, the Lockheed Constellation indeed. Perhaps the "Super Connie" L1049-H version for me, please! Now THAT was an aircraft...

Between that and the F4 Phantom, I do believe the phrase "sexy lines" are covered

I'll just settle for a P-38 Lightning.

They fly some old warbirds out of Felts Field up here periodically. Last weekend I sat there and watched as someone flew manuevers overhead in a RAF Spitfire. 65 plus years later, that is still an absolutely gorgeous plane ...

as far as british planes go, the Mosquito was a fine, sleek piece of flying machinery..... not many left..... I am always amazed at how many planes were built during WWII, and how few survived.

As an aside, do you realize that as late as the 1970s Costa Rica was still flying P-51s in their air force?

along a similar vein, I am still pissed that Tacoma was offered the aircraft carrier "Hornet" for free, and they turned it down, A piece of history lost forever....

The "Save-A Connie" Constellation was at several of the Oshkosh Air Shows I attended.

http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/connie.htm

I can remember seeing them at airports when I flew with my parents as a child. I can't remember if I ever flew on one though.

Beautiful aircraft!

Roger, the P-51 is my all time favorite aircraft, followed by the DC-3, Connie, P-40 and the F4U Corsair.

I am always amazed at how many planes were built during WWII, and how few survived.

Sad isn't it. There were 3970 B-29's built and as far as I know there is only 1 flyable copy left. It is the Confederate Air Force’s B-29 "Fifi". It makes the air show circuit from time to time. Go see it if you ever have the chance!

There were 10,037 P-38's built and the last I heard there were 6 flyable.

There is a segment of people that say we shouldn't be flying the old war birds and that they should be put into museums.

I see their point; if one crashes it's a major loss.

However, it would be a shame if we couldn't go to air shows and see these fine pieces of American history.

I know I'd miss them.

On another note, still airplane related though, if you ever find yourself in the Dayton, OH area I can't recommend highly enough a trip to the Air Force museum at Wright Patterson AFB. Even if you are in Cincinnati, it's well worth the hour drive north!

Actually Dayton is a bit less than 4 hours, been close many times and never went. I know I'd love it........ Gotta share the experience though and wife has no interest

Find a new wife!


Just kidding!

MERKIN, wanna go to DAYTON?

I saw Save-a-Connie at Sun-n-Fun some years back.

I believe there are only 4 flying Connies left. The Brietling Connie is in Europe, Save-a-Connie and another plane in the U.S. Regrettably, the famous MATS Connie was bought by someone in South Korea, painted it over and parked it there.

There are several Connies that may be close to flying.

BTW, a non-flying Connie (one that I almost had the opportunity to help smuggle out of Canada) is on its way its final home at the Boeing Air Museuem where it will be parked next to the Concorde and the first 747.

(They were able to import the plane legally! )

Photo of the MATS Connie:

http://home-4.tiscali.nl/~t696805/matsconnie.jpg

Roger,

Sure, I'll go! Are we getting 2 rooms? Mr. Merkin would be furious with me, furious because I either went before him, or without him. So he'll need his own room.

Thankfully, I doubt I'll run into anyone I know there if all those planes make you feel "frisky" and you need to squeeze my hand.

Sure, bring the Mr. along. We'll just get one room, and I can sleep in the car, or if the hotel has a computer, I'll spend the night in the lobby posting witty comments on chat boards.

He just said find a new wife, didn't say GET one. You are a wife AND new to me, so I think it will work.........