Great Deal on '65 UH-1E

[emmettlodge]

In case anyone is into these, this is a pretty swell deal for a RTF huey in very good condition.

$175k

No certs, records though

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-...ht_3397wt_1165

[gr8shandini]

Something seems pretty sketchy about this. He bought it from a gov't agency, but couldn't get any records? Without the logbooks, it'd be a pretty tough sell to ever fly it again without replacing the engine, blades, transmission, tail rotor, or any other of about a hundred service life limited parts. You might be able to get an experimental ticket for it, but then forget trying to fly for hire.

If you could fly it away, $175K for a Huey would be the deal of the century. Sadly, if it's as it seems, it's just a really expensive lawn ornament.

[emmettlodge]

Something seems pretty sketchy about this. He bought it from a gov't agency, but couldn't get any records? Without the logbooks, it'd be a pretty tough sell to ever fly it again without replacing the engine, blades, transmission, tail rotor, or any other of about a hundred service life limited parts. You might be able to get an experimental ticket for it, but then forget trying to fly for hire.

If you could fly it away, $175K for a Huey would be the deal of the century. Sadly, if it's as it seems, it's just a really expensive lawn ornament.

All great points.

If I was loaded and had a couple thousand acres of land in Montana, I'd buy it and fly it around anyways Just stay under 1,000 ft and if the FAA asks, it's "What Huey?"

[yz1337]

All great points.

If I was loaded and had a couple thousand acres of land in Montana, I'd buy it and fly it around anyways Just stay under 1,000 ft and if the FAA asks, it's "What Huey?"

if you're over 1,000 in a helo you're just flat out doing it wrong. Over 300 is a sissy.

[ATL_Av8r]

Should be able to at least get records from its service in Florida under the Florida Sunshine Open Records Law. Still sounds sketchy

[dubraycer36]

I can't think of anything else I'd blow $175K on.
That thing is purty.

[89fuchswagen]

It looks like it was deregistered on 6/18/2002 reason: destroyed

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinqu...umbertxt=121FC

Unless Im reading that wrong.

[ATL_Av8r]

Gotta be the same guy.....it's typed in ALL CAPS

http://www.oshkosh365.org/ok365_Disc...9&topicid=4670

And another....

http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=158471

Holy crap....this guy posted everywhere about it...

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/planes-...rine-helo.html

This bird last flew in 2005. Its be decladed scrap, removed with the FAA, the forest service removed the data plates. I want to restore it to orginal configuration and tow it to the shows.

Before resto: (pic may not work)

[B3sat16v]

I would not buy a Helo unless I has a pretty penny coming in from it. These things require a ton of maintenance and most parts are not cheap.

[Gern_Blanston]

In case anyone is into these, this is a pretty swell deal for a RTF huey in very good condition...

Definitely not "RTF"

[DonL]

So, if I'm getting this right, it's a $175K trailer queen that was rebuilt from salvage, and there's no records to recertify it for flying legally?

[yz1337]

So, if I'm getting this right, it's a $175K trailer queen that was rebuilt from salvage, and there's no records to recertify it for flying legally?

bingo, this guy is a dumbass who bought it knowing nothing and figured he could throw money and it and get it flying again, then realized that would take an insane amount of cash and is trying to offload it.

This is a great restoration, but that thing is static display only

[ATL_Av8r]

Definitely not "RTF"

Maybe he meant Ready To ****ingsitthereandbelokedat

[Gern_Blanston]

bingo, this guy is a dumbass who bought it knowing nothing and figured he could throw money and it and get it flying again, then realized that would take an insane amount of cash and is trying to offload it...

Maybe not. Look at the other stuff he's sold and the answers to the questions people have asked about it. I think he realizes that...

...This is a great restoration, but that thing is static display only

[DonL]

Just curious, would the cost of recertifying it be worth the added value of having a flyable copter based on the market value of flying Hueys?

I have no idea what recertifying would entail, so I'm just asking.

[yz1337]

Maybe not. Look at the other stuff he's sold and the answers to the questions people have asked about it. I think he realizes that...

I'm being a bit harsh but in the various threads posted I gathered he had plenty of experience with ground vehicles but none with aircraft. I'm sure he loves restoring this old stuff but I do feel his posts read pretty clear about unreal hopes of flying it around again. Now that he's found out the hard facts the project lost its luster and he's selling...either way good on him for the resto, i love Huey's, I see them start up and fly from my office window everyday , hearing the classic whap-whap everyday is sweet

[emmettlodge]

Definitely not "RTF"

No, it's definitely ready to fly. It's in mechanically completely, operational condition. You can strap in, spool up, and take off in it today.

It's not a tail number ready aircraft.

[B3sat16v]

No, it's definitely ready to fly. It's in mechanically completely, operational condition. You can strap in, spool up, and take off in it today.

It's not a tail number ready aircraft.

Do you know much about Rotocrafts? Or aircrafts in general for that matter? I am genuinely curious.

[emmettlodge]

Just curious, would the cost of recertifying it be worth the added value of having a flyable copter based on the market value of flying Hueys?

I have no idea what recertifying would entail, so I'm just asking.

That depends.

The average sale price of flying, numbered and registered or ready to be numbered/registered Bell 204's/205's/UH-1x's range from about $800k to $3 million, depending on year, exact model, and air frame hours.

Given the desirability of Vietnam-era UH-1E's, and the overall mint restored condition of this particular Huey, I would say that this helo would be worth re-certifying. However that may not actually be realistically possible since it has been stripped of the number plates for important items such as the engine and gearbox, and those aren't easy items to replace.

Likely this helo would fetch $1-1.5 million if it were fully certified and ready for commercial duty.

[emmettlodge]

Do you know much about Rotocrafts? Or aircrafts in general for that matter? I am genuinely curious.

I am more familiar with helos than with fixed wing aircraft, and I'm not a pilot. Kinda been a hobby/fascination since I was a kid.

[B3sat16v]

I am more familiar with helos than with fixed wing aircraft, and I'm not a pilot. Kinda been a hobby/fascination since I was a kid.

Well, I fly these things (not the UH-1, but I have flown Bells) and the amount of maintenance required is unbelievable compared to a fixed wing. If it has been seating for a while, a lot of things need to be taken apart and serviced and or replaced. It is most likely not ready to flight by a far stretch. Bells can take a pretty beating and are great machines, but if you do not maintain them properly, it will kill you. I would not dare to get in that thing and fly it unless I knew for a fact that it was ready to go.

[emmettlodge]

Well, I fly these things (not the UH-1, but I have flown Bells) and the amount of maintenance required is unbelievable compared to a fixed wing. If it has been seating for a while, a lot of things need to be taken apart and serviced and or replaced. It is most likely not ready to flight by a far stretch. Bells can take a pretty beating and are great machines, but if you do not maintain them properly, it will kill you. I would not dare to get in that thing and fly it unless I knew for a fact that it was ready to go.

I'm just going off of what the seller says of course, but he does say he's had several mechanics go through the aircraft. So it can't be that bad.

ALL FLUIDS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. I ALSO HAD 3 AP MECHANICS GO THROUGH THE BIRD AND CHECK EVERYTHING. WHEN THEY WERE DONE, THEY WANTED TO GO FOR A RIDE.

[B3sat16v]

I'm just going off of what the seller says of course, but he does say he's had several mechanics go through the aircraft. So it can't be that bad.

Understood, but that is what he is saying. I would not trust him. These things need to be started and run regularly to make sure the GBs and Engine lubrication systems continue to operate properly. Make sure the PCR and PCL are lubricated and used often for them not to seize and make sure the blades are properly trimmed. There are a lot more moving parts that need care in a rotorcraft.

[dblueS40]

Bells can take a pretty beating and are great machines, but if you do not maintain them properly, it will kill you. I would not dare to get in that thing and fly it unless I knew for a fact that it was ready to go.

This x10000000000000000

He may have had 3 A&P certified machanics look at it and "check it over" But i completely agree with B3sat16v. I remember the first time i was around a Huey. It made me thankful to be in an Apache. Lol. Dont get me wrong, I like Hueys, but that thing looks like it would be a nightmare, not to mention that everything prolly needs to be gone through again and possibly replaced. Then there would need to be some logged hours of flight time before I would even want to start it up.

[Gern_Blanston]

Yes, to fly it would be illegal, but that's the least of your worries if you're stupid enough to try and take it into the air. You would be risking life and limb.

[ATL_Av8r]

Yes, to fly it would be illegal, but that's the least of your worries if you're stupid enough to try and take it into the air. You would be risking life and limb.

No risk no reward?

[Gern_Blanston]

I'll take a legal helicopter over an illegal one. Just sayin'...