The passage of time must be a factor, as eventually these aeroplanes become really quite old. Ten, even twenty years into retirement they may be in reasonable shape, but after thirty or forty, all the systems, seals, etc are properly tired, and fatique life, corrosion etc, are probably all becoming an issue. An aged Leonides engine , not rebuilt in forty years, was cited in the fatal Provost crash a few years ago. Sadly , when a major rebuild is needed, often the sums just do not stack up.
Seemingly the Twin Pin will go the way of the Varsity, the Bristol Freighter and perhaps the Heron soon. Rapides have a better future because they can make money, and the DC-3 probably has some staying power, being a historic icon.
The historic aircraft scene is shrinking, with a lot of types once familiar now absent, like the P.38, Tigercat, Thunderbolt, Mosquito, B-25, and even Mustangs falling in number. The jet scene is a shadow of its former self, having lost the Vulcan, Sea Vixen, Sea Hawk, T33, Sabre, most Hunters, all the Venoms, almost all the Vampires, the Canberra and most of the Meteors.
On the up are Hurricanes, and of course Spitfires, especially the two seaters and their potential to make money. As a trend, I would guess that the ‘Battle of Britain’ glamour will continue to keep these types in demand and valuable, thus justifying the high cost of rebuild.
The light end of the spectrum could also do quite well, with historic reproductions of types like Chiltons and Comper Swifts within the budget of the comfortably off, but ordinary enthusiast.
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