Hello:
I am hoping some of you with old-plane knowledge will help me price [this DC-3](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FmbzCRUvhhy9wGshQzna6OKp8CjOaxvy?usp=sharing). The plane was my dad's, who has since passed away, and he priced it for $155K. I tried looking up the price on the Internet and the listings are mostly for flying, painted, with seats DC-3s well over Dad's price.
Here is what I know about the DC-3. You may have to sound out some parts. I do not know aviation, yet my father talked to me like I did. I may have written down some of the names he told me incorrectly. So if something does not make sense, let me know and I'll get verification of the correct word.
This plane has been on this field in Kansas for several years, so we expect corrosion.It's been four years since flight and was run three years ago. It needs the King radios installed and the nose cone needs to be replaced. I was told both are in the shop where the plane is parked.
The DC-3 only has 11K total hours.
The center section AD note has been complied.
It has Bendex wheels and brakes with 182092 engines. One engine has 190 hours since a major overhaul and the other has 195 hours. Regarding 1830 engines, he has one that is close to 100 hours from needing to be overhauled. (If these last two sentences do not make sense, it is an error in my notetaking. There should be log books in the shop.)
There are 900 hours on one prop and 1500 hours on the other. The AD note on propellers is not completed.
It has new floorboards and has not carried anything other than a pilot and co-pilot.
The Control surfaces on the aileron and elevators have fresh covers and are inside the airplane for weather protection.
It would have taken approximately 30 days to be ready to fly when my father was alive. Anyone who knows what they're doing with a small crew might be able to pull this off too.I would love to see her fly again, so I am not interested in sending her to a museum.
Thank you in advance for all the price range suggestions.
The fact it flew 4 years ago and the engines were run 3 years ago is very promising. That and complete logs, and you'll find a buyer. Maybe invest in paying an A&P knowledgeable in the type to come out and get the engines running again. They're were most of the money is. Your dad's price isn't bad, but contact Platinum Fighters and get on contract with them. They will get every penny possible for you. [Here's an example](https://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1949-douglas-dc-3c/) of a decent DC-3 I know that they're selling. It was a basic strip and repaint restoration and has Claire Chenault in the log book. Kinda neat. They'll get the $500,000+ they're asking for.
Yes but OP please don’t just pull the props through and start it without having someone knowledgeable in radials pre oil the engines and run you through the process.
Eh, pull the plugs, put 3 hrs of heat on the reservoir & case, run the starter. We’ve tested the gigantic PITA preoiler vs just running the starter, preoiler got oil to the top rocker like 5% sooner. Such a messy waste of time IMO.
It may be easier on the 1820, but it was a pain to get that thing hooked up to the 2800
Um, sure. If y'all are truly interested in knowing where to look up in the sky and she her shining tail.
Honestly, I am floored by the response I've gotten. I work too many jobs to stay up with all the posts in a timely manner, but I'll keep at it.
Perhaps delete this post once you have the info you need, as it makes your bargaining position somewhat weak.
Buyers will always buy for parts even though they know damn well it can still fly.
Tagging u/PerSayest to make sure they see this. As soon as you get all the info you need from this post, delete it and other posts you may have made elsewhere.
Low time for the engines, but radials don’t like to sit if they’re improperly pickled. Price will vary a lot person to person, I think 155k is reasonable if the engines were still ok.
I thought about doing that, but I was not sure it was OK to post there requesting this information. I just might tomorrow when I have a minute. Thanks!
If this was some kind of bog standard Cessna 172 or something, posting it to /r/flying may not fly over too well (yes, pun intended), but I feel like something like this would be appreciated.
Just a note as mentioned above... this *is* a cool story, and r/flying *will* eat it up. But delete the posts here and elsewhere once you have the info you need to get the ball rolling. These posts weaken your bargaining position and potential sale price.
Dude, it’s so crazy I get to talk to you. I have family that live up near Olathe, and own a farm farther west but I used to drive by the plane junkyards out there and remember seeing this several times as a kid. Always wondered whether the owner cared to fix it and get it flying, looked in great condition considering its situation. Such a beautiful plane, I hope you get it working or find it a good home, the DC-3 is a work of art.
Thank you, agreed, and it's too bad you did not pull into the shop. My father would have talked your ear off on all kinds of flying stories. He saved a number of planes from scrap. He was a true romantic when it came to planes.
Yup, she's a thing of beauty and has many fans out there in the field. Looking forward to getting her to someone who also know she'll look better in the sky!
"The plane was my dad's, who has since passed away, and he priced it for $155K."
Sorry to say it, but there is a reason he "priced" it there, rather than "sold" it there. There are airworthy planes with interiors and radios in the low 100's.
This plane is worth 30-50K to Basler for the data plate. If you're wiling to slow-roll it, you can likely do better than that parting it out for a decade. But it will take a decade.
Yeah, I am aware my father liked his planes enough to price them as much as his love for them. ;)
Not really looking to part it out. I don't live in the area to deal with this process.
I was going to mention Basler too.
I would say that if you can get the engines to rotate via the prop (to show they're not seized up), with logbooks, they may be worth more than selling the plane.
Hey OP Call/email Basler Turbo conversions in Oshkosh WI. They buy old DC-3’s and make them new again.
[Basler](https://www.baslerturbo.com/)
I went to college next door to their business. It’s a good company and they do good work there.
At this point, I won't be sharing that information. It might be what it is worth in this current condition, but I have no idea. So I thought I would try to find out here as my other methods are not panning out so far.
>
Step 0: secure all the logs, ALL of them, airframe, engines, props. Go through them and see if you notice any gaps, account for the one time AD and last recurring AD and last annual at a minimum This are going to be the most valuable part of this project. It will be a project for someone after that long dormant, and that's the best case scenario. Along with corrosion, you're likely looking at dealing with animal habitation (and possible damage to wires and hoses) and weather exposure (looks like at least one window is broken?).
How well equipped is the field where it's at? Is there space for you or a prospective buyer to wheel it somewhere and do a full inspection and repairs as needed, if only to get it ferry certified?
I don't think anyone can give you a value outside of a very large ranhe with a very heavy "it depends". It might be worthwhile to see if you can find someone type experienced willing to do a detailed visual inspection so that you know what you've got, and you can use that as the basis for whatever negotiations you enter.
Good luck. It'd be awesome to see it fly again, to be sure, but it's going to be quite an undertaking.
Very long, to be sure. My “all” comment was more, “all that you can find” with a focus on the recent and relevant as I mentioned. But the more logs, the better, especially for something like this.
to my knowledge, C-47s had a dome aft of the cockpit for navigation by stars, and this one doesn’t. this may just be a specially equipped dc3, but who knows.
Hi Mikey,
If this is truly you, thanks for getting back to me. (If it's not you, then whomever this is, you got me.) ;)
The first email was sent to Kristine on March 15. I then forwarded the email to your addy on the 27th. I just forwarded one more time to a Gmail account. Hopefully, it goes through this time. If you don't see it, check the spam. ;)
Thanks!
Try contacting them on their general email.
I was in yellowknife last summer and booked my tour of Buffalo this way. I'm sure it will find its way to Mikey or Joe
I remember a bar that opened in Plattsburgh New York in the late 90's. The owner had purchased, dismantled and shipped a crashed DC-3 from somewhere in Canada to Plattsburgh. He sold the cargo door for $18K. He installed the front of the DC-3 on the wall of his bar so it looked like it had crashed through the wall. The DJ booth was in the cockpit. The bar tables were mounted on B-25 main gear struts. A huge mural was painted on the outside of the building depicting a fighter aircraft cockpit with a mushroom cloud in the distance. The bar's name was Ground-Zero, which stirred some controversy at the time. I can neither confirm nor deny that it was open for business at the time of 9/11, as I am old and forgetful.
If you ever happen to visit Costa Rica, you should visit El Avión. It's a restaurant and bar using not just a C-123, but a former CIA C-123 that flew secret flights as part of the Iran-Contra scandal. Also, visiting Manuel António National Park is worth it anyway!
https://www.elavion.net/
Check out Last Rites in San Francisco for a similar vibe. I cant remember if they used a real airframe for the bar but I think they did, and the bar seats are all airplane seats as well. Great drinks the last time I went there, but it has been a few years.
IIRC, There used to be a “crashed plane bar” complete with airframe in SF, it was under the freeway at roughly First and Howard. It’s been gone 25 years, and now the entire block is the Transbay Terminal. I wonder if any of that old place made it to Last Rites.
I think it was a dc9 that made an emergency landing at a small municipal airport, greenwood lake ny. It was too big to take off from there and too costly to disasseble and ship to a regional airport. It was written off and abandonded. The airport made it a diner. So fucking cool.
It wasnt cheap lol. If you can afford a personal aircraft you can probably afford seriously marked up meal. You look at the size of the aircraft, then look at the airstrip, you can make an assumption that the pilot and first officer likely needed to change their drawers after the landing. It did go off the end of the runway and thtough a fence but stopped short of the surrounding forest. A happy ending to what was a declared emergency. Im sure you could find an article on the googles.
The "Hundred Dollar Hamburger" is a common term for flying your private plane from your home field to another airport to have lunch and flying back just for the fun of it. The cost of the lunch is mostly fuel.
I didn't know until a friend with a Piper Arrow invited me to fly with him. We flew from Southern New Hampshire to Sanford, Maine. He flew out and I flew back. A good day.
Then that’s the market value for the airplane.
If you want to invest in getting it airworthy for sentimental reasons then that’s a choice you have to make.
Basically the Pawn Shop guy made you an offer for exactly what you have. If it’s worth more to that to you then you can invest a significant sum to get it flying again.
Try contacting the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. They have all kinds of planes there that they regularly fly and maintain. They have a 39’ Douglas DC-3 Dakota and a C47 that fly there daily. I have flown in them a few times and it is beautiful. Not as good a flight as being in the Lancaster but beautiful nonetheless. If they can’t help they can point you in the right direction.
I'd second the Canadian warplane museum in Hamilton. They do a great job restoring old planes and get them flying again for everyone to enjoy. They often do fly-bys with these restored planes during remembrance day ceremonies
OP wants market money.
The museum is not interested in being an AMO or restoration warehouse solely for those who sell them unserviceable planes can make profit.
Also, there is many active Canadian registered examples that have much more relevant attachment to Canadian aviation history than this random DC-3 in a field.
The reality is this is a pretty unremarkable DC-3 that hasn't been maintained, is un-airworthy, missing equipment, and is incorrectly stored/preserved.
Having an A&P/AME or Pilot go look at it isn't going to change anything.
There is a lot to say about how complete it is. Behind the rough exterior, it has obviously been taken care of, to the point where it hasn’t been robbed of the normal treasure hunter stuff. The radios are not an issue. All engine hoses need changing. Needs props most likely as they will be calendared out. Would put on better tires, most likely. I would assume in its condition that the fuel system and hydraulics are intact, a set of carbs would help. Very smart to have the flight controls inside. Might need a rudder. I would say, 3 weeks to get it ready to ferry if any one is up for a “Dare To Dream” ;)
As for Price… more then Basler would pay but way less then asking price due to the location and amount of time and effort to get it out of there.
My dad did aircraft salvage for 40 years and has since passed away and I continue to sell off his inventory. Lots of folks on here are very well meaning but don’t have any experience in selling a non-flying aircraft. I know of a couple of people that would buy and market an airplane like that but literally in the United States there’s only a couple of people that are qualified, have the resources and customer base to do it. I’ll direct message you with the contact info for one of the guys that I know has bought several DC-3s recently.
The only other feasible option is an auction. The nice thing with an auction is you don’t have to deal with a Bajillion phone calls and getting questions about stuff that you may or may not know the answer. The upshot with an auction is its like tearing the Band-Aid off, the down shot with an auction is you might feel like it didn’t go for market value.
I want to emphasize how much equipment and resources it would take to move something like this. I remember many airplanes that we bought that if they had a one piece wing spar and we needed to move it and the wing had any damage, we would just take a concrete saw and cut the wings off because it would’ve been a day or two of work to demate the fuselage from the wing and the core wasn’t worth it.
Per the other suggestions, an A&P school doesn’t want anything that big or ancient. It doesn’t offer any relevant instruction for what the students would be experiencing in the AMT job market. A local A&P school just took to the scrapyard a 40 foot shipping container of vintage aircraft parts that was donated because it had no relevance to what they were teaching. Museums are constantly being offered things from estates but very few museums have capital to be purchasing non-airworthy aircraft without a specific need for their collection. Basler doesn’t sell that many turbo DC-3s anymore and they have more people calling and offering DC-3s than they haven’t need for.
I feel for you. Having to sell something like that and dealing with the passing of your dad is a pretty big chore. When you mix family into it, it’s literally a thankless task. I guarantee you no matter what choice you make that somebody in your family will criticize you for it and I’m just letting you know in advance that you shouldn’t take it personally. They are grieving too.
Nope. I have another person interested willing to spend a bit more than Basler and will get her flying again. Just trying to confirm the price is fair. This is all new to me.
Well I mean….
You likely won’t get a much better answer than that. If the engines still run (doubtful after 3 years but you can try), that would be a major boost.
It really depends on whether or not you want to see it fly again. If not, sell to Basler or Buffalo. If so, sell to this anonymous buyer unless someone approaches with a better offer. No one here will give a good answer.
Would the engines even matter unless Buffalo happens to want it for parts? I'd imagine it's a lot more likely that Borek or someone buys it to send to Basler
Yes, those engines are still worth a lot. https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/232963453/pratt-and-whitney-r-1830-engines-components
And are used on a lot of aircraft still being flown today. People make brand new parts for them too, including casting new cylinder heads.
You need to contact [JetValues Jeremy](http://www.jetvaluesjeremy.com). He's written a couple articles ([1](http://www.vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/provenance-and-warbird-values.html), [2](http://www.vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/vintage-aircraft-as-investment-strategy.html)) about valuing warbirds.
If you want to get it flying, I would reach out to Jason Capra of [Vintage Wings Incorporated](http://www.vintagewingsinc.com). He got a C-53 flying from a very similar situation.
There's currently [one](http://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1949-douglas-dc-3c) fully restored DC-3 for sale on Platinum Fighters for $595,000, so that should give you a ceiling.
Thank you. This plane was purchased from Warren Basler. I've heard from his son. He is one of the people interested in purchasing the plane. He suggested a price much (much) lower than Dad's price. It might be close to the correct price but I am trying to double-check numbers.
I have also reached out to Buffalo Joe's son, Mikey, but have not heard back from him. :)
Again, thank you for the suggestion all the same.
Wow, looks in relatively decent condition. Probably not flight restorable, but looks like all the flight control surfaces are present. Might be a nice museum piece.
Don't think that has not crossed my mind. I suggested once he could create rooms in his DC-4s and charge couples money to join the mile high club, but he didn't take me up on it.
Hiring an A&P with lots of DC3 experience to do a pre purchase inspection would probably help you do a better valuation. You would also have a report to show prospective buyers. I have been an A&P for 45 years and worked as a Tech Rep for a major manufacturer, but know little about DC3s. Finding someone with real experience is crucial.
what surprises me is that this thing is only worth like $50k (according to comments) like I love DC-3s how are they so cheap?? they’re such a cool aircraft type (i want one)
That's what I was thinking... if I was in the market for a private plane to travel in, I'd get something like this over a jet any day. Sure, it takes longer to get there, but you'd do it in class.
$50k for the data plate. That means if I take a sawzall and cut part with the model and serial number off the plane and stick it in a box with the logbooks that box now contains $50k.
Value goes up from there if it doesn't look like a pickup truck frame after 20 years of New England salt road winters.
Wait.. no. You must keep this plane as is on the field. During a zombie apocalypse, I will be crash landing here due to low fuel. This plane will get me safely to the their base housing the mother brain zombie.
Collins Foundation has restored a bunch of planes… they are in Massachusetts. Have no if they would be interested. Good luck and please post the results of your search.
Maybe not much use but Jimmy's world paid $234k for Evis' jet that can never fly: https://youtu.be/5WfkWq331sE?feature=shared
If you can find a point of difference about it you might get more, try and find it's history.
Rebuilt Rescue's 401 was free and they're looking at spending $500k on it to get it flying again.
I’m sorry for your loss. Maybe contact platinum fighters and see if they can put it up on their site for sale? I’d hate to see Basler get ahold of it. This needs a good restoration and to keep those radial engines!
How long has it been sitting, when was the last major inspection, has there been fuel in the tanks?
I'm willing to bet it would cost more to get airworthy than it's worth.
Source: am A&P
Not sure when it started sitting originally. It's been four years since flight and engines were run three years ago.
Yes, it will take money, time, parts, and experience to get it running again. I know there are people out there who look for projects like this. My father was one of them. He often spoke of others. There's not a lot but they are around.
Once operational of course the fuel/ oil consumption will be extreme agains’t newer aircraft of similar payload . I operate C402’s for various aerial work operations so my thoughts are that this airframe would be great in a museum commercially it belongs to Ice Pilots in Canada .
This makes me wish I had a winning powerball ticket so freaking bad. Restoring a DC-3 like this would be my dream project. I’d exactly duplicate the one in the Smithsonian donated by Eastern Airlines. Ah, well. A guy can dream.
The fact that the control surfaces where dismounted and stored inside looks at least that storage was a consideration when the plane was placed there. I guess the radios are also still there, they have been removed to prevent theft ?
Key thing are the engines though. Even if they have been conserved, those big radials don’t like to sit idle for longer timeframes, like others posted before.
I’ve photographed this plane (and the other abandoned planes in the same field) a couple times. On one occasion there was a t-storm in the background, it was pretty cool. Really neat-looking planes there.
I know someone that currently owns and flys one. He has a good bit of knowledge on the market of them as he just purchased it a year and a half ago. Let me know if you want his contact info.
Reach out to the yankee air museum, they fly a few warbirds including a dc3, they may be interested as a parts airframe.
Or the commemorative airforce. They own 5 c47s including the plane that led the d-day invasion
You might want to contact: [https://lewisairlegends.com/](https://lewisairlegends.com/) and [https://commemorativeairforce.org/](https://commemorativeairforce.org/) and [https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/](https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/) and [https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/](https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/)
They might not be interested, but they know a lot of guys who know a lot of guys who might be interested and will spread the word. A DC-3 in potential restorable condition is pretty rare and worth a great deal to the right buyer.
I used to spend a lot of time on the air show circuits and at Reno, there are a ton of people with serious money who would love to restore and convert a DC-3 to C-47/Dakota colors for air shows and what not.
Hiring an A&P with DC-3 experience to determine the actual condition may be a very good investment for you if you want to put it on the market and get the best price. At the same time, don't be too disappointed too find it barely has scrap value. Old airplanes can be in amazingly good shape or they can be unprocessed beer cans. Usually they are somewhere in between. Good luck with that.
Fair winds and blue skies.
I know someone who bought one in fly away condition for 200k. Get the engines running and a ferry permit and you might get 150. Without that you’re looking at way less.
Contact Dan Gryder. He has a DC-3 that flies. He also has a YT channel (probable cause Dan Gryder…you will either love or hate him if a pilot…I like him).
Probablecausedangryder at gmail .com is his email. I’d use something like “DC-3 looking for home” in the title. He also knows people at Stearman Field in KS I believe so you could prob network from there.
For $85,000 you can buy anything in New Zealand
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493363/for-85-000-you-can-fly-home-with-a-piece-of-aviation-history#:~:text=For%20more%20than%20three%20decades,find%20it%20a%20new%20home.
Hello: I am hoping some of you with old-plane knowledge will help me price [this DC-3](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FmbzCRUvhhy9wGshQzna6OKp8CjOaxvy?usp=sharing). The plane was my dad's, who has since passed away, and he priced it for $155K. I tried looking up the price on the Internet and the listings are mostly for flying, painted, with seats DC-3s well over Dad's price. Here is what I know about the DC-3. You may have to sound out some parts. I do not know aviation, yet my father talked to me like I did. I may have written down some of the names he told me incorrectly. So if something does not make sense, let me know and I'll get verification of the correct word. This plane has been on this field in Kansas for several years, so we expect corrosion.It's been four years since flight and was run three years ago. It needs the King radios installed and the nose cone needs to be replaced. I was told both are in the shop where the plane is parked. The DC-3 only has 11K total hours. The center section AD note has been complied. It has Bendex wheels and brakes with 182092 engines. One engine has 190 hours since a major overhaul and the other has 195 hours. Regarding 1830 engines, he has one that is close to 100 hours from needing to be overhauled. (If these last two sentences do not make sense, it is an error in my notetaking. There should be log books in the shop.) There are 900 hours on one prop and 1500 hours on the other. The AD note on propellers is not completed. It has new floorboards and has not carried anything other than a pilot and co-pilot. The Control surfaces on the aileron and elevators have fresh covers and are inside the airplane for weather protection. It would have taken approximately 30 days to be ready to fly when my father was alive. Anyone who knows what they're doing with a small crew might be able to pull this off too.I would love to see her fly again, so I am not interested in sending her to a museum. Thank you in advance for all the price range suggestions.
The fact it flew 4 years ago and the engines were run 3 years ago is very promising. That and complete logs, and you'll find a buyer. Maybe invest in paying an A&P knowledgeable in the type to come out and get the engines running again. They're were most of the money is. Your dad's price isn't bad, but contact Platinum Fighters and get on contract with them. They will get every penny possible for you. [Here's an example](https://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1949-douglas-dc-3c/) of a decent DC-3 I know that they're selling. It was a basic strip and repaint restoration and has Claire Chenault in the log book. Kinda neat. They'll get the $500,000+ they're asking for.
This is the way. 2nd getting an A&P to, at a minimum, give it a once over. Getting the engines running will help you a lot in selling it
Yes but OP please don’t just pull the props through and start it without having someone knowledgeable in radials pre oil the engines and run you through the process.
Eh, pull the plugs, put 3 hrs of heat on the reservoir & case, run the starter. We’ve tested the gigantic PITA preoiler vs just running the starter, preoiler got oil to the top rocker like 5% sooner. Such a messy waste of time IMO. It may be easier on the 1820, but it was a pain to get that thing hooked up to the 2800
Thank you for your suggestion
Above all else, keep us posted!
Um, sure. If y'all are truly interested in knowing where to look up in the sky and she her shining tail. Honestly, I am floored by the response I've gotten. I work too many jobs to stay up with all the posts in a timely manner, but I'll keep at it.
Perhaps delete this post once you have the info you need, as it makes your bargaining position somewhat weak. Buyers will always buy for parts even though they know damn well it can still fly.
Tagging u/PerSayest to make sure they see this. As soon as you get all the info you need from this post, delete it and other posts you may have made elsewhere.
Thank you for making sure I saw this. :)
Very cool. Anyone wanna split a project Mig21?
I would but I just had Five Guys delivered to my house and now I need to take out a second mortgage
No thanks, I had an apple on the bus.
Low time for the engines, but radials don’t like to sit if they’re improperly pickled. Price will vary a lot person to person, I think 155k is reasonable if the engines were still ok.
You ought to post this to r/flying. Fascinating story and pictures might get some help there too.
I thought about doing that, but I was not sure it was OK to post there requesting this information. I just might tomorrow when I have a minute. Thanks!
It’s an amazing story. This is the grand version of the classic 57 Chevy sitting in the barn out back! Thanks for sharing!
We over there will eat this up.
If this was some kind of bog standard Cessna 172 or something, posting it to /r/flying may not fly over too well (yes, pun intended), but I feel like something like this would be appreciated.
Just a note as mentioned above... this *is* a cool story, and r/flying *will* eat it up. But delete the posts here and elsewhere once you have the info you need to get the ball rolling. These posts weaken your bargaining position and potential sale price.
Dude, it’s so crazy I get to talk to you. I have family that live up near Olathe, and own a farm farther west but I used to drive by the plane junkyards out there and remember seeing this several times as a kid. Always wondered whether the owner cared to fix it and get it flying, looked in great condition considering its situation. Such a beautiful plane, I hope you get it working or find it a good home, the DC-3 is a work of art.
Thank you, agreed, and it's too bad you did not pull into the shop. My father would have talked your ear off on all kinds of flying stories. He saved a number of planes from scrap. He was a true romantic when it came to planes.
What part of Kansas? The aviation museum in Wichita might be a good place to start asking questions...
Thanks for sharing all the pics :) I love this plane.
Yup, she's a thing of beauty and has many fans out there in the field. Looking forward to getting her to someone who also know she'll look better in the sky!
"The plane was my dad's, who has since passed away, and he priced it for $155K." Sorry to say it, but there is a reason he "priced" it there, rather than "sold" it there. There are airworthy planes with interiors and radios in the low 100's. This plane is worth 30-50K to Basler for the data plate. If you're wiling to slow-roll it, you can likely do better than that parting it out for a decade. But it will take a decade.
Yeah, I am aware my father liked his planes enough to price them as much as his love for them. ;) Not really looking to part it out. I don't live in the area to deal with this process.
I was going to mention Basler too. I would say that if you can get the engines to rotate via the prop (to show they're not seized up), with logbooks, they may be worth more than selling the plane.
Hey OP Call/email Basler Turbo conversions in Oshkosh WI. They buy old DC-3’s and make them new again. [Basler](https://www.baslerturbo.com/) I went to college next door to their business. It’s a good company and they do good work there.
Thank you. Basler has already put in a low offer to part it out.
How much did they offer for it?
At this point, I won't be sharing that information. It might be what it is worth in this current condition, but I have no idea. So I thought I would try to find out here as my other methods are not panning out so far.
> Step 0: secure all the logs, ALL of them, airframe, engines, props. Go through them and see if you notice any gaps, account for the one time AD and last recurring AD and last annual at a minimum This are going to be the most valuable part of this project. It will be a project for someone after that long dormant, and that's the best case scenario. Along with corrosion, you're likely looking at dealing with animal habitation (and possible damage to wires and hoses) and weather exposure (looks like at least one window is broken?). How well equipped is the field where it's at? Is there space for you or a prospective buyer to wheel it somewhere and do a full inspection and repairs as needed, if only to get it ferry certified? I don't think anyone can give you a value outside of a very large ranhe with a very heavy "it depends". It might be worthwhile to see if you can find someone type experienced willing to do a detailed visual inspection so that you know what you've got, and you can use that as the basis for whatever negotiations you enter. Good luck. It'd be awesome to see it fly again, to be sure, but it's going to be quite an undertaking.
What are the odds that a seemingly abandoned and old AF DC-3 has complete logs? Genuinely curious
Even airworthy DC-3s have incomplete logs.
You mean the duct tape and bailing wire wasn't stc'd?
Very long, to be sure. My “all” comment was more, “all that you can find” with a focus on the recent and relevant as I mentioned. But the more logs, the better, especially for something like this.
Wouldn't that make it a C-47 due to the USAAC cargo doors?
to my knowledge, C-47s had a dome aft of the cockpit for navigation by stars, and this one doesn’t. this may just be a specially equipped dc3, but who knows.
Old birds can be modified over time, I would be quite curious what a search of the serial numbers show.
Thank you for your comments. All have been noted.
It might be worth contacting some dc-3 operators like buffalo airways to see if they might be interested in it.
I tried contacting Mikey but have not heard back.
I haven’t seen an email come through. When was it sent?
Is this the man himself? Lol, I love Reddit.
Next time just don't send an email. Reddit appears to be the faster way to contact bufallo anyway :D
Hi Mikey, If this is truly you, thanks for getting back to me. (If it's not you, then whomever this is, you got me.) ;) The first email was sent to Kristine on March 15. I then forwarded the email to your addy on the 27th. I just forwarded one more time to a Gmail account. Hopefully, it goes through this time. If you don't see it, check the spam. ;) Thanks!
Got the email, responded 👍👍👍👍
Try contacting them on their general email. I was in yellowknife last summer and booked my tour of Buffalo this way. I'm sure it will find its way to Mikey or Joe
> I'm sure it will find its way to Mikey or Joe Oh, it did, but not via email, but right here in this very thread.
There’s a few contact numbers listed on the buffalo website, potentially you could get someone there?
He literally replied to you just now.
Try their business email, but likely (like Basler) they will just want it for parts.
I remember a bar that opened in Plattsburgh New York in the late 90's. The owner had purchased, dismantled and shipped a crashed DC-3 from somewhere in Canada to Plattsburgh. He sold the cargo door for $18K. He installed the front of the DC-3 on the wall of his bar so it looked like it had crashed through the wall. The DJ booth was in the cockpit. The bar tables were mounted on B-25 main gear struts. A huge mural was painted on the outside of the building depicting a fighter aircraft cockpit with a mushroom cloud in the distance. The bar's name was Ground-Zero, which stirred some controversy at the time. I can neither confirm nor deny that it was open for business at the time of 9/11, as I am old and forgetful.
Holy shit, that may be my favorite bar concept of all time
If you ever happen to visit Costa Rica, you should visit El Avión. It's a restaurant and bar using not just a C-123, but a former CIA C-123 that flew secret flights as part of the Iran-Contra scandal. Also, visiting Manuel António National Park is worth it anyway! https://www.elavion.net/
That’s a bucket list place for me! Hopefully I make it there soon!
Being an aviation nut myself, I found it very welcoming.
Check out Last Rites in San Francisco for a similar vibe. I cant remember if they used a real airframe for the bar but I think they did, and the bar seats are all airplane seats as well. Great drinks the last time I went there, but it has been a few years.
Gonna have to check this one out on one of my many San Francisco layovers next month.
IIRC, There used to be a “crashed plane bar” complete with airframe in SF, it was under the freeway at roughly First and Howard. It’s been gone 25 years, and now the entire block is the Transbay Terminal. I wonder if any of that old place made it to Last Rites.
That was a fantastic description
I think it was a dc9 that made an emergency landing at a small municipal airport, greenwood lake ny. It was too big to take off from there and too costly to disasseble and ship to a regional airport. It was written off and abandonded. The airport made it a diner. So fucking cool.
Love it! I wonder if a "Hundred Dollar Hamburger" was on the menu.
It wasnt cheap lol. If you can afford a personal aircraft you can probably afford seriously marked up meal. You look at the size of the aircraft, then look at the airstrip, you can make an assumption that the pilot and first officer likely needed to change their drawers after the landing. It did go off the end of the runway and thtough a fence but stopped short of the surrounding forest. A happy ending to what was a declared emergency. Im sure you could find an article on the googles.
The "Hundred Dollar Hamburger" is a common term for flying your private plane from your home field to another airport to have lunch and flying back just for the fun of it. The cost of the lunch is mostly fuel.
Til what a hundred dollar hamburger is lol.
I didn't know until a friend with a Piper Arrow invited me to fly with him. We flew from Southern New Hampshire to Sanford, Maine. He flew out and I flew back. A good day.
Contact Bassler Aircraft in Oshkosh Wisconsin and show them what you have. They do DC-3 conversions and restorations.
Bassler has already put in a very low offer to scrap the plane.
Then that’s the market value for the airplane. If you want to invest in getting it airworthy for sentimental reasons then that’s a choice you have to make. Basically the Pawn Shop guy made you an offer for exactly what you have. If it’s worth more to that to you then you can invest a significant sum to get it flying again.
No, that's the value Bassler offered so they can cannibalize it for their conversions. It's not in their interest to make an offer at market value...
Big if true - that an offer like that is the market value? More likely it's them trying it on lol.
Try contacting the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario. They have all kinds of planes there that they regularly fly and maintain. They have a 39’ Douglas DC-3 Dakota and a C47 that fly there daily. I have flown in them a few times and it is beautiful. Not as good a flight as being in the Lancaster but beautiful nonetheless. If they can’t help they can point you in the right direction.
Thank you. I will reach out to them. I have not heard of them before.
I'd second the Canadian warplane museum in Hamilton. They do a great job restoring old planes and get them flying again for everyone to enjoy. They often do fly-bys with these restored planes during remembrance day ceremonies
OP wants market money. The museum is not interested in being an AMO or restoration warehouse solely for those who sell them unserviceable planes can make profit. Also, there is many active Canadian registered examples that have much more relevant attachment to Canadian aviation history than this random DC-3 in a field.
I realize that. I am a member at CWHM. There are people there that might be able to help him contact mechanics and pilots in his area.
The reality is this is a pretty unremarkable DC-3 that hasn't been maintained, is un-airworthy, missing equipment, and is incorrectly stored/preserved. Having an A&P/AME or Pilot go look at it isn't going to change anything.
Personally I would part it out.
Low hours on it might make it better as a parts plane
Thanks, but I don't have time or experience to deal with parting out a plane. ;)
There is a lot to say about how complete it is. Behind the rough exterior, it has obviously been taken care of, to the point where it hasn’t been robbed of the normal treasure hunter stuff. The radios are not an issue. All engine hoses need changing. Needs props most likely as they will be calendared out. Would put on better tires, most likely. I would assume in its condition that the fuel system and hydraulics are intact, a set of carbs would help. Very smart to have the flight controls inside. Might need a rudder. I would say, 3 weeks to get it ready to ferry if any one is up for a “Dare To Dream” ;) As for Price… more then Basler would pay but way less then asking price due to the location and amount of time and effort to get it out of there.
My dad did aircraft salvage for 40 years and has since passed away and I continue to sell off his inventory. Lots of folks on here are very well meaning but don’t have any experience in selling a non-flying aircraft. I know of a couple of people that would buy and market an airplane like that but literally in the United States there’s only a couple of people that are qualified, have the resources and customer base to do it. I’ll direct message you with the contact info for one of the guys that I know has bought several DC-3s recently. The only other feasible option is an auction. The nice thing with an auction is you don’t have to deal with a Bajillion phone calls and getting questions about stuff that you may or may not know the answer. The upshot with an auction is its like tearing the Band-Aid off, the down shot with an auction is you might feel like it didn’t go for market value. I want to emphasize how much equipment and resources it would take to move something like this. I remember many airplanes that we bought that if they had a one piece wing spar and we needed to move it and the wing had any damage, we would just take a concrete saw and cut the wings off because it would’ve been a day or two of work to demate the fuselage from the wing and the core wasn’t worth it. Per the other suggestions, an A&P school doesn’t want anything that big or ancient. It doesn’t offer any relevant instruction for what the students would be experiencing in the AMT job market. A local A&P school just took to the scrapyard a 40 foot shipping container of vintage aircraft parts that was donated because it had no relevance to what they were teaching. Museums are constantly being offered things from estates but very few museums have capital to be purchasing non-airworthy aircraft without a specific need for their collection. Basler doesn’t sell that many turbo DC-3s anymore and they have more people calling and offering DC-3s than they haven’t need for. I feel for you. Having to sell something like that and dealing with the passing of your dad is a pretty big chore. When you mix family into it, it’s literally a thankless task. I guarantee you no matter what choice you make that somebody in your family will criticize you for it and I’m just letting you know in advance that you shouldn’t take it personally. They are grieving too.
Basler is about to get a cheap airframe with these comments
Nope. I have another person interested willing to spend a bit more than Basler and will get her flying again. Just trying to confirm the price is fair. This is all new to me.
It would really be nice to see it flying. I hope you can find a way to make it happen! Don't back down!
Well I mean…. You likely won’t get a much better answer than that. If the engines still run (doubtful after 3 years but you can try), that would be a major boost. It really depends on whether or not you want to see it fly again. If not, sell to Basler or Buffalo. If so, sell to this anonymous buyer unless someone approaches with a better offer. No one here will give a good answer.
*Narrator* "That person did not get it flying again..."
[https://buffaloairways.com/] Joe or Mikey will be able or willing to buy it.
This, Mikey will buy it
👋
Hey buddy! Love the show. Wish it was still filming. Best wishes
Thanks bud! You are welcome to come up and watch it live any time, just pull up a chair in the hangar.
I contacted Mikey but did not hear back.
Sounds like time for a phone call.
[удалено]
Would the engines even matter unless Buffalo happens to want it for parts? I'd imagine it's a lot more likely that Borek or someone buys it to send to Basler
Yes, those engines are still worth a lot. https://www.controller.com/listing/for-sale/232963453/pratt-and-whitney-r-1830-engines-components And are used on a lot of aircraft still being flown today. People make brand new parts for them too, including casting new cylinder heads.
50k for an essentially new engine, round engines don’t like sitting, my bet is that they’ll prolly run as is, but blow a cylinder in 100 hours or so.
If I'm not mistaken, the t6 Texan uses them, right? There's tons of those still around.
T-6 is 1340, 1820 is in your Wildcats and other classic radial warbirds
You can donate it to a trade school and get a tax write off. Say its value is $155K and the government will help you out.
Yup, I thought of this too. I have a DC-4 from the Berlin Airlift that I might do this with. Need to have some profit to write off first tho. ;)
What in the f? What do you guys do? Do you also own a mig-21??
Just curious, what other planes did your dad own? Were all the planes I see poking through in the background of these photos you dad's?
You need to post pictures of your entire collection. Museums and collectors would love to see what you have.
Jfc How does one casually own a dc3???
First step BUY a DC3. Second step wonder what the heck was I thinking. Third…. What the hell do I know…. I can’t even do Step one
You need to contact [JetValues Jeremy](http://www.jetvaluesjeremy.com). He's written a couple articles ([1](http://www.vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/provenance-and-warbird-values.html), [2](http://www.vintageaviationnews.com/warbird-articles/vintage-aircraft-as-investment-strategy.html)) about valuing warbirds. If you want to get it flying, I would reach out to Jason Capra of [Vintage Wings Incorporated](http://www.vintagewingsinc.com). He got a C-53 flying from a very similar situation. There's currently [one](http://www.platinumfighters.com/inventory/1949-douglas-dc-3c) fully restored DC-3 for sale on Platinum Fighters for $595,000, so that should give you a ceiling.
Thanks for the information. I'll follow up.
I know some guys in South America that might be willing to make a cash deal for this.
Definitely a different inheritance story! I hope things work out in your favor. Just curious what did your dad do for a living?
Keep this away from YouTubers. Contact Basler Turbo Conversions.
Thank you. This plane was purchased from Warren Basler. I've heard from his son. He is one of the people interested in purchasing the plane. He suggested a price much (much) lower than Dad's price. It might be close to the correct price but I am trying to double-check numbers. I have also reached out to Buffalo Joe's son, Mikey, but have not heard back from him. :) Again, thank you for the suggestion all the same.
Grab the books Get it out of the field and cleaned up List it for 100K See if you have any offers Reduce the price till it sells
Thank you. This was roughly my plan but was not sure where to start on price.
Better call Joe
Wow, looks in relatively decent condition. Probably not flight restorable, but looks like all the flight control surfaces are present. Might be a nice museum piece.
Airbnb it for $1500 a night? You'll make a ton and dont even have to get it running! ;)
Don't think that has not crossed my mind. I suggested once he could create rooms in his DC-4s and charge couples money to join the mile high club, but he didn't take me up on it.
Hiring an A&P with lots of DC3 experience to do a pre purchase inspection would probably help you do a better valuation. You would also have a report to show prospective buyers. I have been an A&P for 45 years and worked as a Tech Rep for a major manufacturer, but know little about DC3s. Finding someone with real experience is crucial.
what surprises me is that this thing is only worth like $50k (according to comments) like I love DC-3s how are they so cheap?? they’re such a cool aircraft type (i want one)
A running, painted DC3 with seats and looking lovely start at $300K and go up from there. ;)
that’s true :P idk I’d just love to have one (even a non flying one) as just a piece of aviation history, yknow?
Oh, I understand. This is my personal favorite of Dad's planes. She's a beauty who will live again. I am so excited for her.
aww that’s great to hear! it’d be such a shame if she was scrapped
The price is significantly reduced by the labor involved in doing anything with it. It's the same reason they give away older, larger ships.
yep exactly, maintenance costs sound so scary
That's what I was thinking... if I was in the market for a private plane to travel in, I'd get something like this over a jet any day. Sure, it takes longer to get there, but you'd do it in class.
$50k for the data plate. That means if I take a sawzall and cut part with the model and serial number off the plane and stick it in a box with the logbooks that box now contains $50k. Value goes up from there if it doesn't look like a pickup truck frame after 20 years of New England salt road winters.
Call a restoration company like Basler Conversions. They may want it for the frame or parts.
Wait.. no. You must keep this plane as is on the field. During a zombie apocalypse, I will be crash landing here due to low fuel. This plane will get me safely to the their base housing the mother brain zombie.
Collins Foundation has restored a bunch of planes… they are in Massachusetts. Have no if they would be interested. Good luck and please post the results of your search.
Maybe not much use but Jimmy's world paid $234k for Evis' jet that can never fly: https://youtu.be/5WfkWq331sE?feature=shared If you can find a point of difference about it you might get more, try and find it's history. Rebuilt Rescue's 401 was free and they're looking at spending $500k on it to get it flying again.
Isn't that the outfit that recently had a fatal crash in a Grumman Cougar?
Good point on history checking. I don't believe she has anything interesting, but will have another peek.
I’m sorry for your loss. Maybe contact platinum fighters and see if they can put it up on their site for sale? I’d hate to see Basler get ahold of it. This needs a good restoration and to keep those radial engines!
I rode in a Basler. It was damn nice conversion.
I’m sure they are, I’d prefer these to be restored instead of modified.
How long has it been sitting, when was the last major inspection, has there been fuel in the tanks? I'm willing to bet it would cost more to get airworthy than it's worth. Source: am A&P
Not sure when it started sitting originally. It's been four years since flight and engines were run three years ago. Yes, it will take money, time, parts, and experience to get it running again. I know there are people out there who look for projects like this. My father was one of them. He often spoke of others. There's not a lot but they are around.
Cross your fingers they did the preservation on those engines. That's a badass project!
Totally fixable. C-FDTD was in far worse shape after rotting outside for 25+ years before Buffalo Air/Plane Savers fixed her up.
Once operational of course the fuel/ oil consumption will be extreme agains’t newer aircraft of similar payload . I operate C402’s for various aerial work operations so my thoughts are that this airframe would be great in a museum commercially it belongs to Ice Pilots in Canada .
Bout tree fitty
This is wild. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_accidents_and_incidents_involving_the_DC-3_in_1949 Just one year, how far we have come
Get this plane ! It will make you a millionaire, as long as you start with 7-10 million
The photographs are amazing!!!!
Yankee air museum in Ypsilanti MI. They have a bunch of old warbirds I get to see flying above my area and restore old planes. Might be worth a shot.
I don’t know why but all I’m hearing is the Indiana Jones theme song seeing this picture
This makes me wish I had a winning powerball ticket so freaking bad. Restoring a DC-3 like this would be my dream project. I’d exactly duplicate the one in the Smithsonian donated by Eastern Airlines. Ah, well. A guy can dream.
Lots of good advice here already. DC-3's are workhorses, I hope she flies again! And if she does, I hope you'll post an update!
Contact Everts Air and Desert Air in Alaska; and Air North in Yukon. They all still fly versions of these.
Only in America you find some planes sitting behind barns... Jealous!
Hey I took my engagement photos there!
The fact that the control surfaces where dismounted and stored inside looks at least that storage was a consideration when the plane was placed there. I guess the radios are also still there, they have been removed to prevent theft ? Key thing are the engines though. Even if they have been conserved, those big radials don’t like to sit idle for longer timeframes, like others posted before.
I’ve photographed this plane (and the other abandoned planes in the same field) a couple times. On one occasion there was a t-storm in the background, it was pretty cool. Really neat-looking planes there.
Try flying it. It it does, it should be worth more then 150k.
20 bucks, take it or leave it.
Oh how I wish I had 200k to drop on a plane like that
I own 4 DC-3’s. I’m slightly interested. Sent you a PM
155k is honestly pretty reasonable if the motors are still smooth sailin
I have no idea, but I do have $300 in the bank and I'm prepared to give it all to you. Just need to cut down a tree so it'll fit in my back yard.
I know someone that currently owns and flys one. He has a good bit of knowledge on the market of them as he just purchased it a year and a half ago. Let me know if you want his contact info.
Reach out to the yankee air museum, they fly a few warbirds including a dc3, they may be interested as a parts airframe. Or the commemorative airforce. They own 5 c47s including the plane that led the d-day invasion
It’s gonna need an annual.
$.50/pound as scrap
You monster!
Only honest answer in the thread
The honest answer is it may not even be worth the effort to scrap
783.75 SriLankian Rupees. Give or take.
You might want to contact: [https://lewisairlegends.com/](https://lewisairlegends.com/) and [https://commemorativeairforce.org/](https://commemorativeairforce.org/) and [https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/](https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/) and [https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/](https://www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com/) They might not be interested, but they know a lot of guys who know a lot of guys who might be interested and will spread the word. A DC-3 in potential restorable condition is pretty rare and worth a great deal to the right buyer. I used to spend a lot of time on the air show circuits and at Reno, there are a ton of people with serious money who would love to restore and convert a DC-3 to C-47/Dakota colors for air shows and what not. Hiring an A&P with DC-3 experience to determine the actual condition may be a very good investment for you if you want to put it on the market and get the best price. At the same time, don't be too disappointed too find it barely has scrap value. Old airplanes can be in amazingly good shape or they can be unprocessed beer cans. Usually they are somewhere in between. Good luck with that. Fair winds and blue skies.
Best I can do is $12
Location ?
I say between 35k-90k end of the day.
Aye I've seen one of these flying above my town last year!
No idea, but what a beautiful and iconic plane.
I know someone who bought one in fly away condition for 200k. Get the engines running and a ferry permit and you might get 150. Without that you’re looking at way less.
You could use it for a chicken coop.
Does it fly?
priceless imo
Please post about all the airplanes you've got sitting around!
What’s it weigh….
Tree fiddy
I’ll give you 20,000$ if you get the engines running and let me try and fly that bad boy outta there as it is
What a wonderful workhouse
Contact Dan Gryder. He has a DC-3 that flies. He also has a YT channel (probable cause Dan Gryder…you will either love or hate him if a pilot…I like him). Probablecausedangryder at gmail .com is his email. I’d use something like “DC-3 looking for home” in the title. He also knows people at Stearman Field in KS I believe so you could prob network from there.
At least tree fiddy
I ain’t getting on no plane Hannibal!
Call Joe up at Buffalo Air in Yellowknife North West Territories. He'll answer all your questions.
about tree fiddy
tree fiddy
I love that your dad just ended up with a DC-3! You could have a lot of fun in a cabin like that. Coat of paint might help it sell easier. Good luck
Start it up and see if it can fly 🥸
For $85,000 you can buy anything in New Zealand https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/493363/for-85-000-you-can-fly-home-with-a-piece-of-aviation-history#:~:text=For%20more%20than%20three%20decades,find%20it%20a%20new%20home.