DirkS

So, let me try to answer the questions: Metal tail - yea, confirmed, saw that. Landing gear pucks have just been replaced as part of the annual it’s undergoing. Avionics - a little old, but functional. Why are we looking at this one? Because the owner is someone that we know casually, and it’s also at our local airport, which makes the whole process, including inspections, much easier. I also quite understand that the answer might be “look at something else” - that’s why I’m asking questions.

Thank you everyone- I appreciate the comments! I can confirm it has the 150hp engine. It does seem to be well taken care of (same owner for the last 40+ years), and it’s local, so I’d easily be able to talk to the shop that’s been maintaining it, and hopefully continue that relationship if we did buy it. There’s a brand new prop just being installed - still wrapped in padding so I couldn’t tell you the brand off-hand. But, I have no experience with wood aircraft at all, which is one of the reasons for asking. I’m also not a small/light guy, so I was also wondering about the 150hp engine vs the later 180s in terms of performance. Of course, I’m sure it’s the usual you pay more to get more that always exists in aviation. That, and realistically, most of the time it’ll be a 2-person plane.

Hi all, So, a friend of mine and I are looking at purchasing an early Mooney. We originally were thinking a C model, but just got offered the possibility to purchase a 1958. i thought I’d ask the shared wisdom here if there’s anything in particular we should be looking at/worried about with the first generation. This would be our first Mooney, so no experience with them at all to this point. Thanks for any advice you have!