outermarker Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 (edited) I found a neglected 1971 Aerostar Mooney 200. Very few built in this configuration. I was hoping I could save it, but I can’t. It has surface corrosion from sitting so many years in a hangar in Florida. I cleaned a few spots and didn’t see pitting in the skin. So if you’re good at prepping the surface and painting, the airframe should be fine. I’m not, so that’s why I passed. It still wears the original paint and interior and King radios. Surprisingly, the plastics are near perfect. A gear up in the early 2000’s led to a new prop & hub and engine overhaul including new mags. The prop logbook shows 35 hours flown after the repairs. The owners passed years ago and it has sat since. I also found nose gear damaged when I inspected it that wasn’t fixed. I’m selling the plane for the estate. I’ll post photos as it sits currently, dirt and all. It is not currently flyable. If there isn’t any interest I’ll reach out to the scrap vendors and let them part it out. Edited January 4 by outermarker 7
N201MKTurbo Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 From the air cleaner, it looks like an M20G, not an F. It would be a 180 HP airplane. 1
neilpilot Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 1 hour ago, N201MKTurbo said: From the air cleaner, it looks like an M20G, not an F. It would be a 180 HP airplane. If that's Jerry's ranger, it's an M20C 1
Fritz1 Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 M20C short body 180 hp, call BAS salvage, quite a few parts will fly again
N201MKTurbo Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 37 minutes ago, neilpilot said: If that's Jerry's ranger, it's an M20C I should have looked at the windows. All I’ve ever seen were Aerostar M20Fs, I guess they made all the models.
Shadrach Posted January 4 Report Posted January 4 Cool plane. The panel was likely upgraded in the 80s or 90s. That looks like a King Silver Crown stack with an HSI, definitely not 1971 tech. The 1978 M20J came with KX170Bs, so this plane was definitely upgraded. 1
Bartman Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 Don’t fear the reaper. Might be best to call @Alan Fox
N201MKTurbo Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 I would push that plane outside and get all over those bad spots with Scotch Brits and Comet cleanser. And wash the whole plane. Then decide how bad it is. 2
Hank Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 It's a C, look at the chin. What's with the lifting strap wrapped around it and going over the roof joist?
Greg Ellis Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 59 minutes ago, Hank said: It's a C, look at the chin. What's with the lifting strap wrapped around it and going over the roof joist? And if you believe the decal, it does say Ranger on it in one of the photos.
Schllc Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 1 hour ago, Hank said: It's a C, look at the chin. What's with the lifting strap wrapped around it and going over the roof joist? I thought it was because of the damaged nose gear ?
Schllc Posted January 5 Report Posted January 5 How can the spar be inspected without major work? Is it possible?
outermarker Posted January 5 Author Report Posted January 5 The lifting straps are because it is going to get lifted if it’s not moved. The owner wants the space for something else.
McMooney Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 (edited) rear seat release. add a strtaus adsb and it's pretty much my birdy when i first met her. Edited January 6 by McMooney
Shadrach Posted January 6 Report Posted January 6 On 1/4/2026 at 9:10 PM, Schllc said: How can the spar be inspected without major work? Is it possible? It's possible. The rear seat (atop the main spar) and the kick pad (carpeting covering front of main spar) below the seat will need to be removed. There are access panels under the seat as well as in the belly and wings that allow for inspection. A mirror and a flashlight are a must and a borescope would be helpful. The M20M that folded in Victoria, MN back in 2021 inspired me to spend a lot of time inspecting the spar and tail of my aircraft during annual 2022. No corrosion issues, but I did find areas of the wing and tail that had collected a fair amount of debris. Thankfully it was oil soaked and not holding moisture. I spent the better part of two days thoroughly vacuuming and the pressure washing the internal nooks and crannies of the airframe with mineral spirits and compressed air. My IA then laid a second set of eyes on everything after it had been thoroughly cleaned. 2
Alan Fox Posted January 8 Report Posted January 8 On 1/4/2026 at 7:48 PM, Bartman said: Don’t fear the reaper. Might be best to call @Alan Fox I am interested in buying this plane , Alan "the reaper" Fox 856 419 5209 1
Recommended Posts