I’ve recently had a look at a Beagle Pup for sale and everything I’ve heard about the aircraft sounds fantastic. It’s the only aircraft of which I know that can tour with a few people and do basic aeros. Unfortunatley I haven’t flown one, but articles I’ve read say they handle beautifully.
The problem is that I’m in Australia and there are only two of them on the Australian register, so there isn’t much of a choice!
One is for sale at the moment but I’m concerned about its background. It’s a 1969 aircraft with only 1550 hours total time. All the ADs have been done (including the wing spar). The problem is that it had a “heavy landing” (i.e. a crash) when the prop stopped during aeros and it was landed in a corn field. Apparently they didn’t know it was corn and flared about 8 feet too high.
It was lifted out of the field by helicopter and sat in pieces at a nearby airfield, covered by a tarpaulin, until it was sold for the engine and prop some months later. Whoever bought it decided it was worthwhile repairing, so the aircraft was repaired and put back into service.
The current owner I think bought it from whoever repaired it. It has a fresh annual inspection and is currently flying, but it sure could do with some TLC. The cowling has extra odd rivets in it from repairs and it needs new paint. It has an ADF, VOR, transponder etc so I’m wondering how feasible it would be to make IFR?
Do you think it would be worthwhile to buy it? If I can get it for a realistic price I’m prepared to spend some time and money restoring it to its former glory, but where should I draw the line?
Remember this is one of only two in the country so it is a rare thing here. I can’t just wait for the next Beagle that comes up for sale because it may never happen. I’ve heard that parts are readily available in the UK. Is this the case? Would it be feasible to replace the cowling? What are people’s thoughts about the “heavy landing”?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.
By: Auster Fan - 17th November 2006 at 10:35
You might also want to read the review in this moonth’s Today’s Pilot, if it is on-line.
By: Mazda - 15th November 2006 at 22:27
Thanks everyone. It has the 150 hp Lycoming.
Yes, the currency conversion rate could be an issue, our Aussie dollar is worth next to nothing compared to the pound (which is why you should all come over here and do some flying!) Are parts for Beagle Pups particularly expensive compared with other types?
I do plan to get an independent engineer to have a look at it. I wonder how much can be checked properly without pulling the aircraft apart?
Thanks for the links, I’ll ask some questions of de Havilland support.
By: BlueRobin - 15th November 2006 at 22:12
Get the aircraft independantly inspected by your aircraft engineer.
I would be guarded about hankering after something rare, especially if the parts market is limited and situated on the other side of the globe. Given aircraft parts can be really expensive here, the Aussie $:£ rate would surely break the bank?
By: AgCat - 15th November 2006 at 22:04
PUP DOWN UNDER
Hi there Mazda. Take the advice of OzPlane and contact de Havilland Support Ltd – use [email]info@dhsupport.com[/email]
If the aircraft has had the sort of accident you indicate you need to ensure that any repairs were carried out properly and that there is no hidden damage lurking to snare the unwary. As OzPlane says, if it has the 100 hp Continental 0-200 it will be no pocket rocket.
By: ozplane - 15th November 2006 at 12:42
And DeH Support at Duxford who hold the Type Certificate. Which engine does it have? The 100hp would struggle a bit in Oz, it does here but with the extra heat Down Under it would be a bit sluggish.
By: G-APDK - 15th November 2006 at 09:54
Mazda
I suggest you contact the Beagle Pup & Bulldog Owners Club, if you have not done so already. They can be found at http://www.beaglepupandbulldogclub.org/
I am sure somewhere there will be able to advise you from a practical and objective perspective
Phil
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November 15, 2006 at 2:39 am