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Posted

I cant believe they did it - that seems like a lot more man hours than the airplane is worth, from a financial standpoint.  I mean a double prop strike and nose crush, gear crush at an airport in Texas is one thing, but in Antarctica, the cost must have been massive.

Posted

I'm sure it cost a lot and maybe even more than its worth but its good to see it saved. Good on these people for their effort and it definitely paid off.

Posted

I wasn't wanting to be a sour doubty - It sure is cool!

 

I was just wondering if that project might be costing like 10 times as much as the airframe value.  I guess not.  She flies again.

Posted

That's one of the DC3s converted by Basler in Oshkosh. They are worth a bunch of money.

I would help for free if they would take me along.

That's what I said. Next time count me in. I pay for my travel expenses.

Posted

I can hear the local FSDO phone conversation now- "Hello FAA field office, how may I help you?  I'm sorry, where did you request a field inspection?"

Posted

They cost over 8 million new from Basler. The company I used to work for has one on order, they deliver to you a zero timed airframe, basically all new everything.

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Posted

They cost over 8 million new from Basler. The company I used to work for has one on order, they deliver to you a zero timed airframe, basically all new everything.

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How do they zero time a 1940 built airplane?  I'm not doubting it is a very desirable airplane and very useful.  Are two PT6 engines that expensive?  I would almost think that for $8M you could build a new one from scratch.  Heck - this DC3 updated to a turbine seems like such a useful and good idea I would think it would pay for someone to actually do that - start building new DC3s.  Is a zero-timed one really that much overhauled?  I have never been in a DC3 of any kind but I always imagine a rickety old beautiful beast - not a ready for the next century $8m airplane.

Posted

  I have never been in a DC3 of any kind but I always imagine a rickety old beautiful beast - not a ready for the next century $8m airplane.

I don't remember when DC3s last flew on major US airlines, I flew on them on Ozark Airlines in the early '60s. I think they made a stop between St. Louis and Springfield. They didn't seem all that different from the Convair, DC6b, Martin 404 etc except that the aisle inclined quite a bit from the entry door with the tail on the tarmac.

Posted

How do they zero time a 1940 built airplane?  I'm not doubting it is a very desirable airplane and very useful.  Are two PT6 engines that expensive?  I would almost think that for $8M you could build a new one from scratch.  Heck - this DC3 updated to a turbine seems like such a useful and good idea I would think it would pay for someone to actually do that - start building new DC3s.  Is a zero-timed one really that much overhauled?  I have never been in a DC3 of any kind but I always imagine a rickety old beautiful beast - not a ready for the next century $8m airplane.

 

They lengthen the fuselage, replace bulkheads and stringers, completely gut and replace all electronics and controls, refine the wingtips, add the two turboprops, completely new cockpit, etc.

Posted

I can hear the local FSDO phone conversation now- "Hello FAA field office, how may I help you?  I'm sorry, where did you request a field inspection?"

I think the FAA inspector might say " contact Transport Canada, that's a Canadian DC3 from Alberta"

Clarence

Posted

How do they zero time a 1940 built airplane? I'm not doubting it is a very desirable airplane and very useful. Are two PT6 engines that expensive? I would almost think that for $8M you could build a new one from scratch. Heck - this DC3 updated to a turbine seems like such a useful and good idea I would think it would pay for someone to actually do that - start building new DC3s. Is a zero-timed one really that much overhauled? I have never been in a DC3 of any kind but I always imagine a rickety old beautiful beast - not a ready for the next century $8m airplane.

I'm not sure how they went about it, but they got the blessing from the FAA to zero time it. This is literally a new airplane, and a pair of PT-6s aren't cheap. Basler has the capability to produce new parts for both the turbine and classic versions. The fuselage is stretched, the outer leading edge has a new airfoil, and the gross weight went up significantly. Consider a brand new Twin Otter at ~6 million, not nearly as capable as one of these DC-3s.

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Posted

I'm not sure how they went about it, but they got the blessing from the FAA to zero time it. This is literally a new airplane, and a pair of PT-6s aren't cheap. Basler has the capability to produce new parts for both the turbine and classic versions. The fuselage is stretched, the outer leading edge has a new airfoil, and the gross weight went up significantly. Consider a brand new Twin Otter at ~6 million, not nearly as capable as one of these DC-3s.

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And you're flying history! How cool is that? Drive your Woody to the aerodrome.

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