Own a MIG-29 for $5M

[narfmasta]

http://www.controller.com/listings/detail.aspx?OHID=1117584&guid=B3D3C0252D54436C947ED135912027A3

Okay so theoretically, lets say you buy this thing. How do you learn to fly it and will the FAA even let you? Those in the know please feel free to chime in knowledge on owning something like this. (and no I don't have that kind of money haha)

 

[Lawman]

Theres a Mig collector that has something like 4 of them now. I think he has a Fulcrum but its not in flyable condition last I heard. He does however have a Mig-21 and that one does get flown within CONTUS.

 

[Tex_Hill]

Theres a Mig collector that has something like 4 of them now. I think he has a Fulcrum but its not in flyable condition last I heard. He does however have a Mig-21 and that one does get flown within CONTUS.

Was that MiG-21 in the U.S. prior to 9-11? I understand that the FAA is tightening restrictions on registering these types of aircraft in the U.S.

 

[Lawman]

Oh yeah I think the first time I heard about it was early 90's or something.

 

[wink]

Saw a MiG 15 for sale just yesterday for less then 150,000. Biggest problem is you can't afford to feed them.

 

[Tex_Hill]

Saw a MiG 15 for sale just yesterday for less then 150,000. Biggest problem is you can't afford to feed them.

I would also think that parts would be an issue as well.


Ross Perot Jr. is backing a company based at AFW (Ft Worth - Alliance) that is purchasing SU-27's for aggressor training.

 

[whitesoxnation]

From what I've heard Soviet stuff is expensive to maintain as well specifically because of the engines. Something about Soviet planes were not expected to last very long...

 

[Dingobat]

There's a MiG-15 out here in Eugene at the local airport, but it looks like part of the engine was pulled. (A badass B-17 flew in here this weekend too.)
So how many Air warriors are on this site? 5 million divided by that number is how much $$ each? Any takers?

 

[Tex_Hill]

There's an IL-78 sitting next door to my office right now. The damn thing sat in one place for over a year & no one bothered to to do any kind of preventative maintenance on it.

A couple of weeks ago, a group of folks who had foolishly invested money in it showed up & wanted to see it fired up. The guys who manage the aircraft tried to get it started but couldn't. It took them an entire week to work on the engines so they could get the thing started & taxi it down to their hangar.

 

[MIDNJAC]

There's a MiG-15 out here in Eugene at the local airport, but it looks like part of the engine was pulled. (A badass B-17 flew in here this weekend too.)
So how many Air warriors are on this site? 5 million divided by that number is how much $$ each? Any takers?

Actually it's engine exploded (for lack of a more technical term) somewhere north of Eugene, and the owner/pilot brought it down on fire into the field. Happened back in the mid-90's if I remember right. Too bad, it was a cool jet.

 

[FastMover]

I read a while back that GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz owns a MiG-17 (may have been -15). IIRC, he keeps it stashed in Vermont.

Pretty interesting guy. He was the driving force behind the development of the Dodge Viper when he was at Chrysler. See more here: http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2005/01/lutz_biography_1.html

"He also served as a jet-attack aviator in the United States Marine Corps from 1954 to 1965 and attained the rank of captain."

 

[Dingobat]

Actually it's engine exploded (for lack of a more technical term) somewhere north of Eugene, and the owner/pilot brought it down on fire into the field. Happened back in the mid-90's if I remember right. Too bad, it was a cool jet.

Straight up MIDNJAC, it looked like its' ass end got chewed on a little bit by a SAM, engine explosion makes sense. It was a MiG-17 too, not a -15 like I thought.

 

[Huggy Bear]

I have often thought about buying a mig as an investment. Not flying it mind you, just parking it somewhere. In 1946 you could have bought a mustang for only $3000. Today they average near a million apiece. I may kick myself in 30 years that I didn't buy a mig for $50k. Or, maybe not.

 

[HokiePilot]

And if you invested that $3000 and had gotten 10% interest, it would be worth just over $1M today. I would personally stick with the safer investment, although owning a mig would be cool.

 

[MIDNJAC]

I have often thought about buying a mig as an investment. Not flying it mind you, just parking it somewhere. In 1946 you could have bought a mustang for only $3000. Today they average near a million apiece. I may kick myself in 30 years that I didn't buy a mig for $50k. Or, maybe not.

my dad claims that when he was finishing preflight (late '50's time frame) someone offered him one for $1500. I think he said it needed some work to get it flying again, but come on.....he could have sold it in the same condition today for a ridiculous amount. I do think that a lot of the private MIGs will end up either as rich guy's lawn darts, or in museums though, so you may be right.