VH-NYH - 681 - Project

[Russell Legg]

Hi Folk,

This Commander might just be the one for you - it hasn't flown for many years and the airport authorities are losing patience with it sitting around. It is parked at my home airport; Darwin International in the tropical centre north of Australia. There are no parking fees or liens against the airframe and it was abandoned some time ago.

Started on the production line in early 1969 - s/n 6016 - and yes, it's first owner (in partnership) was actor John Wayne!

The airframe is complete with some of the interior removed and many instruments missing from the panel.

The $A has dropped against the $US in recent times and containerising this one back to the US should not be an incredibly expensive exercise.

I am in contact with the authorities - let me know if you have interest - this one should be saved!

Cheers

Russell

[Stephen Matusick]

I had thoughts today about asking the group about any project aircraft- I agree, it sounds like a 681 would be a nice project to save. Any idea on what the airport would want to get rid of it?

[Adam Frisch]

Unfortunately, even if they gave you $100K to take it away, this will cost twice as much to save as buying a flying one. It's just not feasible. I hate to be that negative guy, but the most important thing for any aircraft is to fly. The minute they sit for more than a few years outdoors, the work exponentially goes up and it very quickly avalanches into an unsalvageable mess.

Just at the top of my head you'd have to do corrosion repairs for probably $100K. New windows all around would be $50K. Two engine overhauls would be $500K (I bet it also has the original -43BL engines, which almost no one can overhaul today). Interior, electrical, hydraulics etc would be another cool $100K. Boots and undercarriage overhaul would be another $80. New props another $40K... You can buy a Jetprop 980 for that kind of money.

This one is probably better to part out and have it live on that way.

[Stephen Matusick]

You're right- in the twin bonanza forums, there is often the save the ship mentality,  but someone just parted one out, 5 other ships are still flying thanks to parts from that one......

[ghancock]

But, how cool would it be to save a John Wayne Bird?  lol  I agree it would be a project from hell but hey, people spend more than that pulling P51's out of the ocean and restoring them to mint shape.  So not out of the question.   

Just out of the question for me :-)

Glenn