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Old 09-25-2013 | 08:15 AM
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HuggyU2
Get me outta here...
 
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Boeing right seat
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Originally Posted by ForeverFO
There are wealthy people who could easily afford to restore and fly an F-4, F-16, F-15, etc. They could be demilled with ease, radar removed, etc.
If you are talking a company (Draken, ATAC, ATSI, AirUSA) that is trying to use them for a gov't contract, it may be possible. But I've met and talked to a number of these people in the jet warbird community. Owning and flying any of those 3 aircraft would be pretty much cost prohibitive for a private individual. Ask the Collings Foundation how easy it is to maintain and fly their F-4.

There is at least one F-104 out there that could be bought up and flown, and there are some MiG-29's and -23's. When the SU-27's were in the US a few years ago, a few folks were sniffing around, but ultimately no one bought them up once they became available.

When it comes to "bang for the buck", most people are buying into the L-39. Expect to see a few L-159's pop up. The Alpha Jet will give lots more performance for only a modest increase in price. And for the real "exotica", you will see the occasional F-5. Beyond that, it is just too difficult and costly.
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