IAC Fouga Magister restoration ?

I think you’ll find that most, if not all, of those are actually new ‘planes with bits thrown in for provenance. Rather than old ‘planes with new bits to make them flyable again. The difference is subtle, but vital.

Thanks for the feedback guys !

I believe the IAC Fouga’s were indeed rebuilds hence the ‘Super’ designation.

It just seems strange to me that here are complete jets which (on the face of it) could be made airworthy again with relative ease, especially when compared to some of the aircraft that are rebuilt from scrap (as featured in Flypast mag for example) ?!!

The Belgian Air Force still flies 7 much older Magisters, so why aren’t these ‘time expired’?

It depends what the usage rate is. An aircraft that’s been flown 4 hours a day for 10 years will reach it’s manufacturer’s stated fatigue limit before an aircraft that has been flown 1 hour a day for 30 years. And it depends on sortie profile. And if the entire airframe is lifed, not specific components, then it’s goodnight. There are really likely to be few cases where replacing things like mainspars are going to be be economically viable, it’s just too much work…

There is something in my mind that links the IAC Magisters with those that the Biafrans bought but never actually received (well, in one piece anyway: if I remember the story correctly the fuselages were transported out in one aircraft, the wings in another – so when the transporter carrying the wings was blown up all the Biafrans had was useless fuselages…). And since those were former Austrian AF were the Irish Magisters actually rebuilds of former Austrian or other air force trainers? (It could just be that they were being built at the same time as the Biafran aircraft were passing through, but something in my head links the two)

Flood

I know there are Fouga Magisters for sale here in the US for around $50,000. 28,000 quid for a flying jet is not bad.

Strikemasters and Casa Jets can be found for about the same amount. Nice examples, with good paint and radios are about double that.

Quite surprised the Irish Air Corps Magisters are ‘time expired’ as they are Super Magisters that were only delivered new in the ’70s. The Belgian Air Force still flies 7 much older Magisters, so why aren’t these ‘time expired’? Surely, it’s only a case of checking the airframe and replacing whatever it needs, whether that means a new spar, engine or whatever? Jet Warbirds like all the Hunters are still flying after a complete overhaul, so if it’s economical to keep all those still flying, I can’t see any reason why a much smaller aircraft like Irish Magister can’t fly again…unless someone knows why?

I believe they were retired due to being ‘time expired (?)’ – I’m no expert on aviationics.

I’m not expert either but I’d imagine that this meant that they were, basically, worn out.
Things in aviation are given a life span and when that life span is up (all the given time is used up) then it is replaced. When the whole airframe is time expired then it is economically unviable to restore it to airworthiness – with the obvious exception of lifting pilot out of old aeroplane, then inserting pilot in new aeroplane…
Probably the best way to restore a time expired IAC Magister to flight would be have a non time expired Magister alongside and transfer the paintwork (could be easier!).

Flood

Think the BAF examples will be available sometime soon to buy i very much hope all get preserved when Belgium no long require them.

I guess there are one or two who know a thing or two about it! Are you in a hurry? If you want to fly a Fouga first look at the paperwork and see how much life is remaining on the airframe if any and the vital components i.e engines. Once you have done that – start asking questions like can it be done and vitally can I/we afford it!

Does nobody here know about restoring old aircraft ?