I know there are a few of you out there who have expressed interest in owning a warbird. I've been put in a great position to help you aquire one. I've been flying with the owner of a pair of beautiful Focke Wulf 149-D fighter trainers. They are fully aerobatic, 4 place airplanes with better than 350HP Engines. +6/-3G's certified. These are the two nicest Focke Wulf's in the world, each has undergone a year long restoration to showplane condition, and the #1 airplane has won every show it has entered.
The #2 airplane is currently having a new (300 hour) engine installed and is the second nicest FW-149D in the world.
#1 is painted in a Blue/Gray/White camoflauge scheme with a snarling Wolf noseart and is in slightly better condition than the other one.
#2 is painted in Camoflauge with yellow stripes on the wingtips/tail.
Here is a picture of the #2 airplane with Pitts1c (Squaddie, IA)
Each airplane has removable seat cushions so all four people can wear parachutes and experience aerobatics. I met the owner through my work (with a squadronmate) as an A&P apprentice when we were annualed the airplane and installed a new and bigger Carb. I know the airplane well and fly it 10 hours a week. If I had the money...I'd be picking this one up. Its a tricycle gear airplane, very docile flying characteristics in all ranges of the flight envelope. The airplane is based on a grass field but I have flown it off of pavement and thats when you really feel the kick in the pants. These airplanes have the fastest landing gear in the world, from flipping the switch to having them up or down takes less than 2 seconds. Its really incredible to see on jacks and even more extraordinary to feel how fast they are in flight.
The #1 airplane is ready to fly out of the hangar and the owner is ready to sell it to move up to something along the lines of a T-28 or P-51 Mustang. With the sale of the airplane, I have volunteered my time to train the owner to a high level of safety and comfort and familiarize them with all the systems and fly with them until they are comfortable. Owner would like to get $225,000 and has around $250,000 invested.
The #2 airplane would sell for less because it is not the 'show' plane of the two but flys just as well as the #1. We're talking $180K.
I will see to posting some photos as a followup or will send them in an email.
Any of you pilots out there interested in a realistic and insurable warbird (a low wing, tricycle gear airplane. It flys nicer than a Piper Arrow or Saratoga) with excellent feel and very well balanced controls get in contact with me
here or post on the board and I will contact you. Because this is the first place I thought to ask (I have yet to pick up a phone). I would be more than happy to be a partner in one of these airplanes...I can't take one on by myself and I have been offered a price that is better than a steal...its a gift. Keep in mind...you can have these airplanes for the price of a newly outfitted 172SP...and go upside down.
George 'Golfer'
added picture of #2
