rainman Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 Today while visiting my almost flying again 231, I saw the sweetest 78 J model I've ever laid eyes upon. I was at Dugosh and there is a red/white 201 that has had what appears to be a complete restoration, everything looked new( window glass, Aspen three screen panel, leather interior, motor mounts, wheels, brakes, donuts, paint, etc). It is essentially a brand new 1978 J. He wanted to make his J as nice as he could and make himself happy. Mission accomplished! Wow. My only regret is that I didn't have a camera. Quote
KSMooniac Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 Could it have been Craig's former J? (he created this site...check mooniac58's gallery) Quote
mooniac58 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 My J was a 1987 actually. Sold to a nice Dr in Texas by the name of Chip. Boy how I do miss her though! 1 Quote
Danb Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 Mooniac that is one really sweet plane...don't you miss her... Quote
rainman Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Posted November 20, 2014 Good news! There's at least one more super sweet J out there then. The one I saw had a different paint scheme and the N number had a Z in it.....I think? Quote
KSMooniac Posted November 20, 2014 Report Posted November 20, 2014 My J was a 1987 actually. Sold to a nice Dr in Texas by the name of Chip. Boy how I do miss her though! Especially when replacing the windows, right? Quote
KSMooniac Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 They were probably wondering what fool spent that much money on a 36 year old Mooney. Just some fool that wants a new J and can't buy one! Such a nice upgrade you've done... well done! Quote
Wakeup Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 Put me on the list for buying your plane when the time is right. I love everything about it:)) Troy Quote
PTK Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 Beautiful airplane MooneyPilot! You did a great job! Quote
carusoam Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 I know a nice F that is going to need a third Aspen... The tri looks nice in both the Js featured in this thread. Best regards, -a- Quote
Marauder Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 I know a nice F that is going to need a third Aspen... The tri looks nice in both the Js featured in this thread. Best regards, -a- Leave my wallet out of this! 2 Quote
Marauder Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 Rainman, that was my J that you saw. It's the same J that I was considering selling until I came to my senses. Instead of selling, I decided to spend several additional AMU's and took her to David at Dugosh and had him replace all my hoses with new integral fire sleeve hoses from PHT, remove and powdercoat my engine mount, and install new Lord engine mount discs. He also sent my prop and govenor out for overhaul. During the prop overhaul, I had Jordon (the prop shop) get the same red paint as on the fuselage and paint the prop tips red. The plane is now done and I am picking her up on Monday. I am looking forward to getting her back after three weeks in the shop. I am then going over to PippenYork at Fredericksburg Monday afternoon for my IFR static system check, and I was also planning on getting the ATX 200 installed but in a discussion with Aspen last week, it seems that the unit will not ship until the Spring of next year. It now looks like she'll be home in her own hangar in Sugar Land Tuesday night, and perhaps she'll ger her ATX 200 installed by the time of the MAPA meeting in May. Thanks again for the compliment, Rainman. Since you had no camera, I am posting two pictures that I have previously posted. David tells me that my plane has been the main attraction during her short stay. I understand that some guys from the factory made a special trip over to Dugosh to see her. They were probably wondering what fool spent that much money on a 36 year old Mooney. When you get that ATX-200, please post some pictures of what it does for you. I am looking at the FreeFlight version (FreeFlight makes them for Aspen). Quote
Marauder Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 Will do. I just hope that the current release date of next Spring is accurate. Do you know if there is any functional difference between the ATX-200 and the FreeFlight Ranger 978? FreeFlight is reported to make both boxes. FreeFlight is also running a discount through December. Quote
DAVIDWH Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 Wow! What a clean restoration. Just curious though, if there were any legal fees paid to divorce attorneys? If not, perhaps you could share some of your secrets. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 I like to see more pictures of both, esp interiors Quote
kmyfm20s Posted November 21, 2014 Report Posted November 21, 2014 One day I would like a perfectly restored J and Porsche 911 parked in the same hangar, 2 of my favorites! 1 Quote
blaine beaven Posted November 24, 2014 Report Posted November 24, 2014 What an awesome panel. I love the attention to detail, like paint matched screws and also the switches and annunciator panel being painted black! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote
FlyDave Posted November 24, 2014 Report Posted November 24, 2014 What an awesome panel. I love the attention to detail, like paint matched screws and also the switches and annunciator panel being painted black! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk MooneyPilot, Are those the original switches painted black and the lettering re-done or are they new switches? Dave Quote
rainman Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Posted November 24, 2014 MooneyPilot, thanks for letting me see your plane (without your knowledge) while it was in the shop. Everything about it was really nice. I'll recommend your paint, panel, and interior to anyone. Better than new. Quote
rainman Posted November 24, 2014 Author Report Posted November 24, 2014 MooneyPilot, would you consider posting some photos in your gallery so others can get the full impact? Quote
bonal Posted November 29, 2014 Report Posted November 29, 2014 Very impressive I like the matching paint on the prop. If your ever out west I would love to see it in person, congrats on a job well done. One question why not put a jockey Box (glove box) in the empty space on co pilot side is there avionics hardware behind there. Quote
bonal Posted December 2, 2014 Report Posted December 2, 2014 I'm going to steal this thread for a minute with a question about J performance. Looking at performance specs for different models I see the F and J both have the 200hp and weigh the same and I thought have the same fuselage so why is the J faster or is it. My source is Pilot friend. Is it the cowling? Quote
KSMooniac Posted December 2, 2014 Report Posted December 2, 2014 Lots of aerodynamic clean-up turned the F into the J. The cowling & induction system helped, the sloped windshield, gear doors, and other various fairings are responsible. Refinement continued throughout the production run and the planes got faster, too. Quote
ArtVandelay Posted December 2, 2014 Report Posted December 2, 2014 Lots of aerodynamic clean-up turned the F into the J. The cowling & induction system helped, the sloped windshield, gear doors, and other various fairings are responsible. Refinement continued throughout the production run and the planes got faster, too. Which why it went from 201 to 205, in the late 80s if memory serves me correctly Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.