Hawk10 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 I have been building models of aircraft since I was 9. I've been working on 1 to 1 aircraft since I was 25 (A&P, AI and Private Pilot). But yesterday I did a first. At the age of 71 years and 16 days I (and my wife)bought a real life, 1 to 1 flying machine. It's a 1941 Piper J3F-65 with a low time engine, with bright yellow paint and black trim. Terrifying thing is that for the past 10 or so months, I have been referring to it as the "J3 from Hell". Seems the previous owner and his mechanic didn't like to spend money on proper replacement parts. We've spent a bunch of money and time on replacing a bunch of non-standard parts and making other adjustments. I called him last week and informed him we need to buy a new set of wheel rims cause the FAA wasn't buying the currently installed pair. Apparently, that was the straw that broke the camel's back cause his wife gave him his choice ("me or the airplane, your choice). I figure weather permitting (have some fabric replacement on the belly and of course the rim replacements) I can have the thing back into the air in three weeks or less. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TheFlyingDutchman Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Cool! The Piper Cub is one of my favourite aircraft and I think it's great fun owning one, especially in these original colours. Any pictures? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
majortomski Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Congrats. I'm jealous. In '77 I was offered a recently restored J-3 with 60 hours on the engine and covering for $5,000.00. Dumbest thing I ever did was NOT buying that plane. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ro-Gar Hobbies Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Congrats on your plane. Hmm, its either my wife or the plane? My response would of been....hmmm, I'll miss you honey! Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CorsairMan Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 for those looking to have the experience of buying a plane or a boat its easy: Go home and dig a fair sized hole in the yard. Then every day you take your spare cash and throw it in the hole! Haha... it would be amazing to own a plane though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JackMan Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Hmm, its either my wife or the plane? My response would of been....hmmm, I'll miss you honey! Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dnl42 Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Well, good luck with your new baby! I hope you have as much fun as you can, as quickly as you can, before reality takes hold. Hard to argue against CorsairMan's analogy. My observation is that it's far better to have a friend with a boat or aircraft, than to own a boat or aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chukw Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 Nice! I flew in the back seat of a friend's once. When he yanked the stick back on take-off I was totally unprepared for the second stick to smack me right in the ol' apple bag. Fun flight, though- I'll never forget it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 COOL! I'm about <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<this>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> jealous!! :) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TaiidanTomcat Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Happiest days you own an airplane are the day you buy it and the day you sell it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SBARC Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 At the age of 71 years and 16 days I (and my wife)bought a real life, 1 to 1 flying machine. It's a 1941 Piper J3F-65 with a low time engine, with bright yellow paint and black trim. This is awesome news....enjoy. Nice! I flew in the back seat of a friend's once. When he yanked the stick back on take-off I was totally unprepared for the second stick to smack me right in the ol' apple bag. Fun flight, though- I'll never forget it. "ol' apple bag".....now that is funny name for it....I got a good laugh out of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
majortomski Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 At the age of 71 years and 16 days I (and my wife)bought a real life, 1 to 1 flying machine. It's a 1941 Piper J3F-65 with a low time engine, with bright yellow paint and black trim. Oh, and If YOU need a buyer please call me first! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
punder Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 AIDS: Aircraft Induced Divorce Syndrome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ross blackford Posted September 24, 2015 Share Posted September 24, 2015 :D, A neighbour of mine owns a Cub in the standard yellow finish with the black lightning flash. He also built a Zenith in his garage but loves flying the Cub when he can. Sounds like a good buy there Hawk10. Congratulations on your purchase. , Ross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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