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DC-3 Project in Antartica

dcrogers11

By dcrogers11
in Miscellaneous Aviation Talk

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aviatoreb Grand Master

aviatoreb

Posted
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.

par Rising Star

par

Posted
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.

aviatoreb Grand Master

aviatoreb

Posted
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.

MooneyBob Mentor

MooneyBob

Posted
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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.

dcrogers11 Rising Star

dcrogers11

Posted
  • Author
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?"

N6758N Mentor

N6758N

Posted
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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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aviatoreb Grand Master

aviatoreb

Posted
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.

Bob_Belville Grand Master

Bob_Belville

Posted
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  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.

Raptor05121 Grand Master

Raptor05121

Posted
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.

Guest

Guest

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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

N6758N Mentor

N6758N

Posted
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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Bob_Belville Grand Master

Bob_Belville

Posted
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.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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

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