Prentice up for grabs…

However – if you wish to operate a machine like that and want to be individual it’s as good as anything. Thankfully we have the likes of Mike Collett with Air Atlantique who was prepared to throw large sums at their’s
pretty much on the basis of nostalgia – long may it fly!

Prentice

IMO the Prentice is a clear example of what was wrong with the Air Ministry at the time. The result is a multi role disaster that gets airborne due only to the curvature of the earth and flies as badly as it looks ( I have spoken to several pilots who have flown one).

This will be an expensive aircraft to maintain and operate, especially on the UK Register. Very much a case of ‘take out your wallet and repeat after me – help yourself’.. Far better to throw the same sort of money at something much nicer.

On the basis that it couldn’t be worse, the challenge to find a better aircraft for the same money/ much smaller operating pot wont be difficult…..

Corrosion can be a big problem in this large and complex airframe, requiring painstaking and expensive inspections. Restoration will involve no less work than a Spitfire and with only a fraction of the return. If it aint ‘been done’ then I would be very sceptical indeed about any ‘corrosion-free’ claims.

Sorry, but its a dog. Nuff said.

HP

Totally true however the asking price is £40,000 !!!

😮

Tom.

Totally true however the asking price is £40,000 !!!

Unfortunatly the owner of the ex Southend aircraft now at North Weald is demanding a totally unrealistic price for the aircraft !

This has been ‘For Sale’ for 10 years!. The owner must have spent more on advertising than he will generate in the event of a sale.

The fact that it is unlovely, expensive to run, a rarity for spares provision, and with an undistinguished history might account for the lack of interest. I would say it would be lucky to get £12,000.

Did not Eric Brown describe it as ‘ a real old cow’!

Back in 1958, you would have had a choice from a ‘production run’ of 251 at Southend at a starting price of £1825!:D

Anyone got a photo of the ‘pre production’ storage area of Prentices?

http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1958/1958-1-%20-%200570.html

Unfortunatly the owner of the ex Southend aircraft now at North Weald is demanding a totally unrealistic price for the aircraft !

Arrived fairly recently from Southend and is for sale according to the ad in the latest issue of Loop.

Is G-AOLK the one currently sitting out at North Weald?

apparently there’s been one for sale in the UK for a number of years with no interest shown. I have no further details….:rolleyes:

I guess you are referring to G-AOLK at Southend? I know this one was advertised for sale about 10 years ago, but I didn’t know she was still up for sale. When I saw her last year through the fence in Southend she looked in reasonable condition if not exactly active.

from the wix thread:
She is in good condition. No corrosion. I just replaced the wiring in the left wing. New Battery. Brakes have been changed to hydraulic from the original air brakes, but that was years prior to us having it. Right now shes needs MAGS overhauled, one keeps failing her check, and I have a source in Haywood, Ca. The brakes need to be reverse bled currently, which should be done this week. Prop AD is due. New interior ( Grey ) , I had plans to repaint the aircraft with a top coat of the original silver with yellow training stripes. She runs up just fine currently, even with the bad mag.

She really is a great aircraft, but we are a WWII flying museum, and she is postwar.

Asking price is very negotiable. You name it, make it fair, and if you want to trade a plane, or parts and acsh, that can be worked. Just really an additional aircraft sitting around currently that Id like someone to take care of.

Willing to pack in shipping container for those who intend on having it shipped somewhere ot overseas.

:diablo: Perhaps the RAFM ought to add it to their wish list!

apparently there’s been one for sale in the UK for a number of years with no interest shown. I have no further details….:rolleyes:

I think that’s Bob Batt’s that is/was a flyer. I guess a big difference in price between a static and a flyer.

Roger Smith.

apparently there’s been one for sale in the UK for a number of years with no interest shown. I have no further details….:rolleyes:

I would love to own a prentice (any percival really), But I haven’t got anywhere near the resources or skill to take on a project like that. It’s a shame though because an opportunity like this doesn’t come around very often. It will be interesting to see where it ends up (hopefully back to the UK?)