Can't afford a Cub?

“what else can you get – vintage aeroplane wise – for £12,500?” An Auster for one.

While good value, you had better hope all the parts are included or cars still servicable. I would imagine finding a cowl, fuel tank or sone other part might be difficult. And having one made (unless you are very handy) would soon show the false economy of buying a rare type at a low price.

The nice thing about a Cub (or any other similar popular aircraft) is parts availability. If you can’t find what you need locally, you can get everything you need (brand new FAA -approved) from Univair .

Parts, engine, and restoration materials would cost the same for both types, it’s just that when you are done, you’ll have a better chance at recouping your investment with a popular type.

Still, there is something about having a rare ship, just be aware of the entire picture, not just acquisition costs, before doing something as expensive as an aircraft restoration.

Curiously the same aeroplane was being sold in an even more distressed state at Pau about a decade ago (q.v. http://www.archivum.info/fr.rec.aviation/2006-07/00771/A-vendre–Avion-Roger-Adam-RA-14-N-15-F-PGKA.html). Since then it appears to have acquired an engine (a Continental C-65, rather than the C-90 being offered in 2006) but not a great deal of added value. However if its any indication of what one is worth, the St Jean d’Angély based example, restored, with a newly installed Continental 0-200 and said to be in exceptional condition, has a current asking price of 32 000€ (http://www.occasionair.com/index.php?page=voir&ann=2315&type=aeronef). So maybe F-PGKA offers someone the opportunity to make a profit or to acquire and restore a lovely little vintage aeroplane for significantly less than they’d have to pay for the finished item?

QUOTE “Not yet on the LAA approved type list, which is not to say it could not be, but that represents a further delay and expense. … Nice though, I would be interested to see one.”

Don’t forget that G-BHIK was imported in the 1980s and operated on the UK register – see:
https://abpic.co.uk/pictures/registration/G-BHIK

But even if its costs as much again to restore, what else can you get – vintage aeroplane wise – for £12,500? What’s the going price for a J3C-65 Cub?

Not yet on the LAA approved type list, which is not to say it could not be, but that represents a further delay and expense.

Nice though, I would be interested to see one.

That looks a reasonable buy.

Problem is that it will probably cost the same amount to restore but be worth a fraction of a Cub’s value!