Re: Beautiful Fairchild 24Rs

[Christopher John Shaker]

'After admiring Lon and Barb Dienst's gorgeous F24 and Ed
Wegner's wonderful F24 again at Oshkosh last week, I'm
getting the bug to own one of these beautiful classics. Something
about that Ranger nose in the air is getting to me.

What is a reasonable price for a very nice example of such an
airplane? How do you determine a fair price for such machines?
I've never owned a classic antique like this before, and there
doesn't seem to be a bluebook value for such? The asking price
for flyable airplanes currently for sale in the Trade a Plane range
from $25,000 to $60,000 for an EAA Grand Champion Antique.

I think I'd like to own an airplane that has recently been restored
to excellent condition, as close to original as possible. It sounds
like I'd want the 200 HP Ranger engine. What are the possible
propellor choices? I saw fixed pitch wood props, and a metal
variable pitched prop at Oshkosh. Was the variable pitched
prop a Beech electric prop? Any other choices? What is best
for flying in the mountains? We're based about 4,000' in elevation.

I've very little tail dragger time, about 15 hours in a Citabria,
which occured about 22 years ago. I remember it was really a
fun airplane to fly. How hard would it be for me transition into
a Fairchild F24? I've been told that it is easy to fly, for a
taildragger, because of the wide main gear.

How expensive is insurance on one of these beauties? Is it hard
to get? How hard is it to find an instructor whom an insurance
company would accept for a transition into such?

I live next to SunRiver, close to Bend, Oregon, and would
appreciate hearing from F24 owners near that area. I'd appreciate
hearing about any mechanics in that area whom are skilled with
the art of maintaining such machines.

Thank you in advance for any advice or help you can offer,
Chris Shaker'

[Vintage Wings, Inc.]

'Chris,

I do Fairchild valuations, prebuys, insurance checkouts (Butler Brown Ins. 1-800-934-7763), delivery pilot services, etc. We can even restore one to your desires. I am moving to Phoenix Sept. 1st. so I will be easily accessible to you. I will be helping manage a restoration shop there. Red Mountain Aircraft Services. 480-396-9008 480-628-5533

A 200hp with an Aeromatic or Beech electric is a great way to go. However, there are some ADs or pending Ads to consider on these props. Contact Jamie Treat about his knowledge on this. Your transition to a F24 is very easy. If you can fly a Citabria you can fly a F24.

Prices for a good restoration run $38-50k. Get a good prebuy before you spend your money. There are a lot of pretty airplanes out there that are not very correct or very good under the fabric. You need someone who truly knows what they are looking at. There are several guys that can be recommended for this.

Let me know if I can help you in any way. I will be available in Phoenix late next week or you can email me at. Gene@vintagewings.com or RedMountain@arizonaaviation.com

For what it's worth.

Gene


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