I’m sure if you were to ask Mrs. SRP she would tell you that I’m pretty good at spending money on old aeroplanes. Well, I’m also not bad at spending other people’s money, so it seems to me that we need to spend a little “Hairy” money and buy a warbird. Now.
Oh yes, Mustangs are nice and Spitfires are great…but we need something NOW. While it’s cold outside and we’re all bored. We need something to rally behind until Spring arrives. We need a TBM!
Let’s think about it:
1. Excellent value for the money
2. An easy warbird to fly
3. WW2 combat history, as well as a British link with the FAA
4. Some good examples on the market today
5. Can operate easily at Old Warden
6. Looks good, with very straightforward systems and a solid engine
7. Wings fold, which is always cool
8. Wings fold, so you can get it in the hanger.
Courtesy currently has one for sale that used to belong to a friend of mine, Ron Maggard. Ron sadly passed away a few years ago from cancer, but during the early 1990s we had a blast with this airplane. It was sold to the Cavanaugh Air Museum where it went through a complete restoration, and last year it won “Best Bomber” at Oshkosh.
It’s a steal at around £140K
So, come on forumites…let’s get this deal done!
By: Bradburger - 6th January 2005 at 22:10
Oh I forgot to mention….
The trouble with the Grumman version is that it can sometimes be confused with another type of Avenger!
😀
Cheers
Paul
By: DazDaMan - 6th January 2005 at 22:08
I’d go for the Avenger – it’s something different… 😀
By: Yak 11 Fan - 6th January 2005 at 21:21
Hairyplane – you’re one lucky bloke to even be able to contemplate this! Personally I’d go for the Avenger ahead of the Mustang. Much rarer in this country. Not quite as sexy as the Mustang, granted, but still a lovely beast.
Dan,
Are you still drinking the Christmas alcohol????????
By: srpatterson - 6th January 2005 at 20:18
HP,
The Avenger isn’t a replacement for the Mustang, it’s just a precursor of things to come. It has a tailhook! The wings fold! It is an excellent lead in to a fighter, really more like a Harvard in this respect than the PT-22 or Maggie.
It isn’t too big for Old Warden. Just think of it as a Harvard with a bomb bay. Fly it for six months and jump right in a Mustang
By: Bradburger - 6th January 2005 at 19:00
Hairyplane
It’s been nice seeing your cash being “spent” by the forum members.
Personally I would really love to see a P40 operated from OW. 😉
It can have of course have 2 seats and should fit nicely into the OW hanger/scene. 🙂
Trouble is, I’ve a feeling they cost a bit more than a P51 though! 😮 🙁
Cheers
Paul
By: JDK - 6th January 2005 at 18:52
That’s around £400 per hour just on fuel (UK prices).
The problem there is UK fuel prices, rather than the a/c… 😉
By: danohagan - 6th January 2005 at 18:18
Hairyplane – you’re one lucky bloke to even be able to contemplate this! Personally I’d go for the Avenger ahead of the Mustang. Much rarer in this country. Not quite as sexy as the Mustang, granted, but still a lovely beast.
By: Hairyplane - 6th January 2005 at 18:13
TBM
Hi All!
Blimey,
You’r spending my money quicker (ish!) than my ‘ex’ did – God bless her silk socks….
Avenger based at Old Warden? Nah. Its too big. In any event, THT brings his fine machine in throughout the season.
I have my heart set on a Mustang but probably could be persuaded otherwise if something really did blow my frock up big time.
It needs a second seat and needs to fit in the Old Warden hangar/ Old Warden scene.
Gotta be a 51?!
HP
By: Merlinmagic - 6th January 2005 at 18:08
The Avenger was John Dibbs’ camera ship of choice years back. It was also very useful as a movie camera ship during its stay at the OFMC I can confirm.
Big enough for a party in the back too!
MM
By: danohagan - 6th January 2005 at 16:08
The Avenger is a favourite of mine. Tony Haig-Thomas’s machine is a gorgeous beast. Saw it up close and personal at Rougham in the rain a couple of years ago. Can’t believe they go for what, in aircraft terms, is small change… Wish I’d bought two of them instead of our new house!
By: mexicanbob - 6th January 2005 at 16:03
Really very surprising they don’t bring more money, considering the price of most combat aircraft from the era. Most T-28s sell for more money than the average TBM.
They look good, fly good, haul several people and gear…besides being slow what am I missing?
Steve,
If you decide you are really interested in one, let me know. I’ve got an extra pilot’s manual and checklist I’ll be glad to give you.
By: Mark V - 6th January 2005 at 11:00
I was so convinced about the Avenger that I bought one….
Only uses 80 gph in the cruise…plus 2gph of W120…
That’s around £400 per hour just on fuel (UK prices) 😮 Then there is oil, insurance etc etc.
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 6th January 2005 at 10:13
besides being slow what am I missing?
height
By: Dave Homewood - 6th January 2005 at 09:09
Damien, speaking from experience, the view from the turret is great for photography (and remember the OFMC used their one for filming from too) but alas my auto camera was not fast enough to counteract the violent vibrations, so most of my shots were a bit blurry. A good camera like your’s would do fine I’d think.
By: srpatterson - 6th January 2005 at 06:22
Really very surprising they don’t bring more money, considering the price of most combat aircraft from the era. Most T-28s sell for more money than the average TBM.
They look good, fly good, haul several people and gear…besides being slow what am I missing?
By: oscar duck - 6th January 2005 at 06:12
I was so convinced about the Avenger that I bought one….
Only uses 80 gph in the cruise…plus 2gph of W120…
By: JDK - 6th January 2005 at 02:01
Wow. The Rearwin burns more gas than the TBM? Amazing.
By: srpatterson - 6th January 2005 at 01:21
If truth be told then the Rearwin has not cost much less than this!
And it hasn’t even got a rear turret.
The Avenger does burn a LOT more gas, though.
(Content edited for the pedantic Mr. Tweed) 😉
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 6th January 2005 at 01:12
If truth be told then the Rearwin has not cost much less than this!
By: Dave Homewood - 6th January 2005 at 00:07
The Avenger is a wonderful warbird, and indeed practial. They are massive inside and can transport loads of people and spares, etc.
I’ve been told a new group here in NZ is planning to import another Avenger. I hope it happens.
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January 5, 2005 at 9:23 pm