Another classic RAF jet for sale on eBay

[Anark]

[url=http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130057650088]No, not a vulcan this time but a lightning
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[Woodlouse2002]

Homebuild anyone?

[Anark]

Its in Leeds too, so close to where I am now....

[cheesegrater]

The price is way too high since the cockpit is pretty much gutted.

[Saitek]

Yeah, the cockpit is a complete and utter mess. Not much left of that model. I wonder how that got to be in such a bad way? They say it was scrapped, but it survived. What does that mean exactly?

[Hagar]

They say it was scrapped, but it survived. What does that mean exactly?

The aircraft was scrapped but the nose section was saved. This is quite common nowadays. http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivorspics7.html

Intended to be used as a travelling exhibit by Parkhouse Aviation, XM144 was basically an empty shell and was to be restored using XM172's cockpit interior. However as has become clear the plan for putting XM172 on a roundabout has surely come to naught, and XM144 has also now moved on to a new owner in Pershore. Information current as of 10/03/2006.

[C]

Yeah, the cockpit is a complete and utter mess. Not much left of that model. I wonder how that got to be in such a bad way? They say it was scrapped, but it survived. What does that mean exactly?

Normally when they are scrapped the cockpit has a fair chance of survival, as they can be very collectable - and sell for a few thousand, which is probably more than the scrap metal value. So in short, the aircraft rear od the cockpit was scrapped. To be fair, theis one isn't in that bad nick. Ok, the cockpit will need re-equipping and having a new seat installed, but compared to some, it isn't that bad.

[Saitek]

Well why can't they sell the whole thing then? Seems a terrible waste to just melt them down.

[Hagar]

As Charlie explained, the rest of the airframe is worth more as scrap. Not too many people would have the desire or space to store a complete aircaft even if they could afford to purchase it.

[C]

Well why can't they sell the whole thing then? Seems a terrible waste to just melt them down.

You can stick a cockpit on a trailer and park it next to your house - you can't do that with a whole aeroplane. Plus you have to keep it clean, away from the elements etc for it to remain presentable...

[expat]

Well why can't they sell the whole thing then? Seems a terrible waste to just melt them down.

Consider this. Due to the A380, we have a aluminium shortage in the world at the moment. Air Bus have bought so much heat-treated plate used in aerospace applications that the cost is increasing and it cannot be produced fast enough. The producing industry got a slight break when Air Bus announced the 380 production delays. Here in Germany we have a Bicycle manufacturer called Ketler. They only produce their bikes in aluminium, the cost of them has almost doubled this year, so there is a direct knock on effect. Boeing and Air Bus have produced a record amount of aircraft this year that the cost of titanium has also rocketed. At the start of the year it was about $6lb now it is at almost $30lb all because it cannot be produced fast enough. Aircraft recycling is as important as your newspaper of juice carton.

Matt

[eniranjanrao]

That's That' Good I am going into scrap Aircraft Business

[pepper_airborne]

You should visit a desert in the USA