Author Topic: Is this a good deal for a Cessna O2-A? (Read 780 times)

Habu · « **on:** September 06, 2003, 05:23:15 PM »

Real warbird. Lots of action in her history. Fully restored. The engines have over 1300 hours remaining on each of them before overhaul. The props are new and are good for 9 more years in Canada.

Nice plane with lots of the original equipment.

Anyone know if the asking price is resonable?

Cessna O2-A for sale.

Bodhi · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2003, 05:38:18 PM »

I think it is a bit pricey. No mention on the fuel tank age, a major issue with O-2's. Also, how are the wing attach points and is there much corrosion? Those are things I would look into before I bought an 02. Also, are you gonna fly it in US or Canada? Make sure it can be US registered before you consider it as well.

My company does pre-buy inspections and if you like we can check it out for you. Give us a call M-F EST 336-625-4731.

Ask for Derek

Tarmac · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2003, 06:31:40 PM »

Gorgeous airplane.

Good luck.

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2003, 05:58:31 AM »

first plane i ever went up in and handled controls, skymaster i believe was the name of some such.

Habu · « **Reply #4 on:** September 08, 2003, 02:49:18 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Bodhi
I think it is a bit pricey. No mention on the fuel tank age, a major issue with O-2's. Also, how are the wing attach points and is there much corrosion? Those are things I would look into before I bought an 02. Also, are you gonna fly it in US or Canada? Make sure it can be US registered before you consider it as well.

Thanks Bodhi I will call you Monday or Tuesday. At this stage I want to present him with a list of questions about the aircraft to get a gerneral idea what to expect. It was "fully restored" less than 5 years back so it would be good to hear exactly what was done during the restoration. I will ask him about the fuel tank age. I have read that metal fatigue can be a concern also in an aircraft that age with that many hours on it. What is the proper way to check the wing for fatigue and to repair it?

I agree it is priced high but that is good as if he priced it low it would sell before I had a chance to fully check it out.

It has been flying in airshows for the past few years. He has stored it inside all the time and before that it was in Arizona so there has not been any chance for corrision since the restoration. However before the restoration it was stationed in tropical countries so internal corrosion could have been present. Again what did they do to it during the restoration is the question.

Furball · « **Reply #5 on:** September 08, 2003, 04:11:42 AM »

awww habu! its so nice you are looking for a birthday present for me already! still a month to go yet!

nuchpatrick · « **Reply #6 on:** September 08, 2003, 08:35:47 AM »

Great looking bird Habu.. Good luck on buying her.

Habu · « **Reply #7 on:** September 08, 2003, 09:54:36 AM »

Thanks.

The emotional side of me says buy it! The rational side says check it out carefully before you get stuck with a potential lemon.

It does appear to be in great shape though.

straffo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 08, 2003, 09:57:38 AM »

Pretty plane but with 2 engine it will be costly no ?

GrimCO · « **Reply #9 on:** September 08, 2003, 10:01:18 AM »

The asking price is a bit high if it were a Cessna 337 and not a warbird designated 02-A. (I'm assuming the value is elevated due to it's historical value).

BTW Habu, where is this bird located? If she's within a reasonable distance from me (Lexington, KY), I'd be happy to do a pre-buy inspection and take a look at her for ya.

Habu · « **Reply #10 on:** September 08, 2003, 11:31:56 AM »

The plane is located about 30 minutes from my house but I live near Toronto in Canada.

The guy who owns it has owned a number of really interesting warbirds in the past. He sold a flying Storch about 6 years ago. He has a Piper J Cub and he also had a Sea Ray. He is a 747-400 pilot. He seems to be the type to really check out a plane before he buys it. I went over it from the outside and what I could see was all top notch. I did not pull any of the inspection hatchs so I could not see inside but he told me that they spray an anti corrosion oil in each year and it has no problems. He just put two new props on it as well.

I have always loved this plane since seeing one in the movie Appocolysp Now when I was a kid.

Habu · « **Reply #11 on:** September 08, 2003, 12:20:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by straffo
Pretty plane but with 2 engine it will be costly no ?

Two engines are more expensive (by quite a bit actually) but you get a safety factor as well. An O-2A will fly on one engine quite happily which is worth quite a bit for piece of mind.

An inline design like that also means if you lose one the remaining engine does not pull to one side and put you in a spin.

gofaster · « **Reply #12 on:** September 08, 2003, 12:24:44 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Habu
Two engines are more expensive (by quite a bit actually) but you get a safety factor as well. An O-2A will fly on one engine quite happily which is worth quite a bit for piece of mind.

An inline design like that also means if you lose one the remaining engine does not pull to one side and put you in a spin.

Which is why it is the preferred ride for Brothers To The Rescue, who do overflights of the refugee lanes off Cuba.

straffo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2003, 02:12:25 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Habu
Two engines are more expensive (by quite a bit actually) but you get a safety factor as well. An O-2A will fly on one engine quite happily which is worth quite a bit for piece of mind.

An inline design like that also means if you lose one the remaining engine does not pull to one side and put you in a spin.

Sure, plus it has less drag than a twin engine with engine placed on the side of the fuselage.

But I was more asking about the operating cost I remember an old mecanic saying : 2 engine ,3 time more time ...

lord dolf vader · « **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2003, 02:21:35 PM »

have always wondered why there were not more push pull configured ww2 aircraft only one comes to mind and it was late late war. were there more ?