Piper Aztec Saved

Usually a result of pilots losing control in IMC flying.
The type got a bad “hangar flying” reputation from those who couldn’t afford the type…and that many of those who could buy them had reputations for not staying current…hense the nickname “doctor killer”.
Back on the 80s, the FAA did a review of the type (spurred on my some hysterical media coverage) and found no problem.

I spent a while flying around SoCal looking for the correct airport in one of those (Ramona). Then it turned out the runway was closed for work so we landed on the taxiway… as did the hotrodded Navion that came to pick us up after we delivered the V tail.

Agreed, tyres won’t be a problem, most light aircraft companies will have a stack of worn items that are not cracked and will be glad to see the back of them.

ACF50 is your friend, easy to treat the airframe while it’s in bits 🙂

V tailed Bonanza, had a habit early on of becoming a no tailed Bonanza..

Usually a result of pilots losing control in IMC flying.
The type got a bad “hangar flying” reputation from those who couldn’t afford the type…and that many of those who could buy them had reputations for not staying current…hense the nickname “doctor killer”.
Back on the 80s, the FAA did a review of the type (spurred on my some hysterical media coverage) and found no problem.

A GA cockpit would be an ideal project, it’s biggest cost would be in buying the instruments, but I’d imagine the old radios should be almost free for the asking as they are replaced with more modern equipment.

An aviation wrecking yard would have everything you need.

You said earlier aero commander that has been one of my dream aircraft for many years as it was one of the first I saw at an airshow, it is a beautiful aircraft and sadly forgotten. Heres another a bonanza with a butterfly tail and not forgetting the cessna 337, on e that I would or both though yet always overlooked is the 150 and 172, these are perhaps the most ubiquitous types which many a budding young pilot cut their teeth on and often discarded as not worthy of saving. So I’m in your camp on these and I have even looked at a queen air trust me they are out there

There was a 150 that was for sale a while back at Brunty, I am licenced on all the types mentioned in this thread and have worked on them all.
Early Aero Commanders used to clap hands, I seem to remember there being no inspection panels in them, Rockwell if my memory isn’t playing tricks on me cut inspection panels in one and deemed they could extend the lives of the wings, but didn’t because of product liability, so quietly forgot about it, but it got out.

C337 nice aircraft, but the gear was a pig and the rear engine could quite happily be on fire and you wouldn’t know squat about it, hence the mirror out on the wing to see what the gear was doing and whether you were on fire!

V tailed Bonanza, had a habit early on of becoming a no tailed Bonanza..

A twin commander is nearly beyond saving unless you can fly it in as the wing cannot be removed (without serious effort/makes a lightning look easy), shame as they are a stunner! I cockpit could be picked up for free I suspect although you might have to cut it and take the rest to the scrap yard yourself!! Its a shame museums wont take these machines on long term loan?

How much would a small GA cockpit cost to preserve? Am thinking it may be a way for budding cockpiteers to cut their teeth on then maybe move onto the more “desirable” types?

I was at Bournemouth Aviation Museum last sunday, they have a couple of small G.A. types on display.

You said earlier aero commander that has been one of my dream aircraft for many years as it was one of the first I saw at an airshow, it is a beautiful aircraft and sadly forgotten. Heres another a bonanza with a butterfly tail and not forgetting the cessna 337, on e that I would or both though yet always overlooked is the 150 and 172, these are perhaps the most ubiquitous types which many a budding young pilot cut their teeth on and often discarded as not worthy of saving. So I’m in your camp on these and I have even looked at a queen air trust me they are out there

Thank you for all the kind comments, it was a bit of an undertaking to get it apart and shifted as a one man band but I enjoyed the challenge, I must confess I know “TJ” well and enjoyed working with it in Africa and other places! The next step is to get her cleaned up and a polish before refitting the the engine cowls etc, then I will re-trim and refit the interior and maybe a new set of tires (bit of an expense but the current ones are worn and cracked).[ATTACH=CONFIG]251231[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]251232[/ATTACH]

This thread raises an interesting question on the ageing GA aircraft population. The abandoned twins mentioned above are likely to be joined by many more as it is just not financially viable to re-engine them when they come to their engine’s TBO. Typically an overhauled engine will cost in the region of £30K and putting two of those on an airframe worth about £25K doesn’t make sense. This is also happening with singles as well. I agree with jag636 that they don’t have the “pull” of a modern fighter but if our museums don’t take them on we will be wishing we had 10 years down the track. As you’ve already started at Newark perhaps you could set up a niche area for them? It might prove to be a “draw” in it’s own right.

G-APNJ Cessna has been at newark for some years and came from Shoreham she was donnated from the aeronautical collage there and was brought to our attention by Tony Harmsworth of Aeroplane monthly fame. And she sits next to a Rallye and not far from a Dove and Heron, on the Aztec there was one saved and then let go by Midland air museum and it went to a paint ball site, I have no idea what state its in now though. You speak of other types I yern to save but alas they are not crowd pullers like the like of Sea Harrier or Jaguar and so on so they tend to be forgotten. We do have a few civvy types but they are outweighed by the military types. If they are donnated though we will consider them as a matter of course, great thread many thanks David Hibbert, Newark air museum acquisitions officer.

The Apache donated her engines for Auster conversions . She was gifted to the museum by Windmill Aviation – it was a long day taking her apart but well worth it.

Well done! It’s great to see GA types in preservation. Took this photo of the beautiful little Apache at South Yorkshire Air Museum last November –

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Preserve a Twin Bon……??? Now you are talking !!!! Good to see an Aztec being preserved though.

…the main structure being steel tubes.

Quite.
The type Hasan interesting history. Despite its pointed nose and squared-off fin, the type began as the fabric-covered Twin Stinson before entering production as the Piper Apache, the first post-war American “light” twin.
Others, like the Aero Commander and Twin Bonanza, were developed around the same time but we’re in a different class.

Nice to know that tango Juliet has been saved. It used to be a regular at Scone during the summer survey season, had a big Leica in the back when I saw it 2005/2006, wow time really does fly.
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/5837027

If you need any manuals for it, I should be able to help out. One of those aircraft where the outer skin is simply to keep the draught out, the main structure being steel tubes.

He knows, Bill, and he has a lot of hours in this aeroplane.

He’ll be along at some time to offer his reminiscences, he says.

Anon.

Well done and salute sir,
Nice to see and I’m sure you’ll pick up 2 time ex engines at some point. If this P-28 is the one Anon is talking about, then that is great news as friend is a good pal of ours and will be delighted to know this, (If he doesn’t know already ).

Bill T.

This is indeed good news. I think many people find it hard to accept that the Pipers and Cessnas of the 50s, 60s and 70s are now vintage aeroplanes and worthy of our interest and consideration. Good luck to you dh82jon with this very worthy project.

The Vintage Piper Aircaft Club certainly now includes early PA-28s in its ranks…