Abandoned Airplanes: San Carlos, Arizona, Season 1, Episode 3

Our best Abandoned Airplanes episode yet! We visit San Carlos to find Beech 18s, Albatross amphib, and a Cessna 150 Aerobat.
Aircraft history information courtesy of Phil S.:
N44602 - 1945 BEECH D18S - Expired Reg 11/3/13 out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Badly damaged in windstorm Atlanta, GA 11/19/1981.
N203C - 1954 BEECH E18S - Expired Reg 12/31/13 out of El Paso, Texas. NTSB - Gear collapsed accident in 1975.
N4796U 1955 Grumman HU-16C Albatross SN#137915 Most recent registration out of Wilmington, DE in 2008. Engines: Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 (9 cyl.) 1,475 HP, Joined US Navy 1955, BuNo 137915, finished service in 1968.

[@jeffhamilton8640]

I have several hundred hours in N44602... back in the late 80’s and early 90’s my Dad and I flew a mail route for majestic airlines out of Salt Lake City... we flew from Twin Falls Idaho to Pocatello Idaho to Salt Lake City Utah.... then same route back the next morning.... this particular BE-18 had what the called “walking” main gear ... first time I landed it I bounced it so high I had to pour the power to it and go around 🥵

[@Sybok51288]

very cool!! a little surreal seeing it like that??

[@SmaxyMiguel]

How do you feel now seeing the plane is such bad conditions?

[@davidanderson4404]

When I was young my grandparents had a tripacer at reds field in Ohio. They had 2 beech 18’s for parts. They used the working beech for skydiving. But I played in those 2 for parts all the time. It was fun being young and make believe world. Miss those days

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

This is the strangest thing I have ever encountered. When you taxed off the runway I immediately recognized the building dead ahead, and the two to the left. I have had reoccuring dreams about this place and I have always loved amphibic airplanes. And here I find a video that contains a view from my dreams and an Albatross that I somehow know. I have no idea what this means and I don't believe in ghosts, but I've been here before. This video terrifies me and at the same time it fills me with longing. I'm Norwegian. I've never even been to Arizona.

[@FlyingWildAZ]

fascinating!

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

@@FlyingWildAZ Not sure if I should be scared, worried or excited...

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

There are many things in this old world that science ignores or denies.

[@tay2214]

Just checked my log book. I flew N44602 - 1945 BEECH D18S for Majestic Airlines out of Salt Lake City in the late 80's. US Postal Freight Route.

[@dougplatten619]

I can verify that. I was DOM of Majestic during that time. Trying to remember you Scott. I just ran into a roommate of Dave Curry. Remember him? And I've talked to Kevin Nebeker a few years ago. Great time with Majestic. Val passed away . Poor 602, wonder where 19Z ended up, also 31M.

[@tay2214]

@@dougplatten619 I was the one that landed in Bridger, Montana after I lost an engine. (Winter, runway not plowed). Mostly flew the SLC-PIH-TWF and return route. Wade would bring the mail over to west cargo. 31M was my favorite. Super E with the good heater.

[@tsmall07]

What an amazing coincidence. Hard to believe the shape the plane is in now I'd guess.

[@brucebear1]

FAA - N-Number registry says that N44602 was re-registered in 1984 and registration was cancelled in 2013 for "expiration". Yes, it looks as if it's been expired for quite a while. The last registered owner was Majestic Airlines.

[@jeffhamilton8640]

Scott Taylor my Dad was Darrell Hamilton also flew for majestic.....N9919Z...N31M....N44602...

[@richborg45]

I would love to go out and get these airplanes to restore. I'm doing a Cessna 172F now that hasn't flown in 33 years and a 66 Cherokee 140 that hasn't flown in about 25 years. Watching your videos shows me what is out west. Great job showing these to us. Thanks

[@fasteddy4929]

My 2nd job out of A&P school was for an airmail hauler that had a dozen Beech 18s That was in 1973 to 75. What a wonderful airplane.

[@miloswanson9646]

Hmmm...Cleveland, perhaps? Ortner Air Service based there had a bunch of Twin Beeches - and some other AT-10 Kansan and C-45 Expeditors) ex-military hulks

[@malcevans5762]

Really enjoyed that . Thank you . Looking forward to the next one .

[@EVELYNEMIL]

Absolutely phenomenal!!.

[@angelreading5098]

Stumbled across you and glad I did,this is a subject next to my own heart old abandoned airplanes,it makes you wonder sometimes how they can get into this state,some have been drug running,others just unfortunate incidents,keep it going I will be back for more,thank you sir for uploading this.

[@buddyrich01]

N203C. Our fathers plane back in the early 1970's.

[@apatheticempathy]

Whats its story ? Let US know !!!

[@SmaxyMiguel]

@@apatheticempathy we will never know now.

[@moudyblue]

@@SmaxyMiguelgo to his KZbin page and there’s 2 vid about that N203C

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great video. I miss seeing all the old birds around Tucson when I lived there.

[@jstrat121]

I have driven past those planes a few times.Interesting to see them close up!

[@Pilot_Dad_Adventures]

N4796U 1955 Grumman HU-16C Albatross SN#137915 Most recent registration out of Wilmington, DE in 2008. Engines: Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 (9 cyl.) 1,475 HP, Joined US Navy 1955, BuNo 137915, finished service in 1968.

[@FlyingWildAZ]

You are awesome Phil!

Isn't that radial worth some money?

[@blessingeison]

My backyard, .. never thought I could just walk in there and start browsing.. cool

[@sonoranrain2330]

Those Beech 18's are still quite impressive even in their disheveled state.I would love to see those puppies flying again someday!!!!

[@michaelthomas7178]

Good to see hu 16 again. As a kid in the 1960s there were several at Eglin AFB. They were use as air sea rescue, but main job at Eglin was drone retrieval . They were fantastic to watch in their missions.

[@tdswift4172]

Flew these in the USCG to 1970.

[@roopeshkrishna34]

Million thanks for the great video..!

[@silverado0938]

I used to love flying to airports within 2-3 hours of home airport and seeing the old forgotten about airplanes sitting on the ramp. Lockheed lodestar, beech 18, an old executive jet etc. awesome

[@patiencemelason4496]

The Areobat is a 1972 Cessna A 150 L last flown on March 20 2007. It's a shame to see it sit there unused !

[@glenanders5267]

Many twin beeches were parked because of cracks and corrosion in the wing spar. This made the engines worth a whole lot more than the airplane. I stopped in San Carlos a couple years ago and the airport manager said the owner was still paying tie down fees on the Albatross. Albatross do not bring a high price even when fully restored. $400,000. A flyable twin beech will bring $50,000 to $100,000.

[@Britcarjunkie]

Actually, not so much that, as takeoff/landing, and taxi mishaps (they can be a handfull on the ground, if you don't know what you're doing), and the cost of spar x-rays, and having the spar straps installed & other maintenance that comes due (ever price an overhaul on a R-985?), versus buying a cheaper/faster twin.

[@gregorygilmont304]

Fabulous review...

[@randylaw3368]

Awesome! Thanks for the Memories on the Expeditor & Aerobat! They sort of remind me of old pilots....

[@danielneuenschwander7381]

The radios in N203C would be worth something to a collector just as they are, let alone refurbishing them, which would be a small fortune and the fact that radio navigation equipment is so much more compact in size. Great video. Tnx for sharing!

[@rodneydaub3812]

So glad I found this channel

[@electricpedal5531]

That beech-18 we still use it to haul lapu-lapu fish in the Philippines im one of the mechanics that maintains

[@fredmartin3117]

I kept a Stitz Playmate tied down and flew out of that airport in the early 90s as I lived in Globe. The 2 Beech 18s were already there and looked as if they had been for many years already. The big seaplane seemed to have been recently put there at that time.

[@roycox320]

great content and photography!!!

[@mikeshelly149]

wonderful video

[@indridcold8433]

The Beech N203C was last registered the 2nd of February 1981. It was built in 1954. The last registered owner resided in El Paso, Texas back in 1981. It originally came equipped with Pratt & Whitney R-985 Series engines. The airplane was finally deregistered in 2014.

[@sander16v11]

I’m owning a beach 18 some day. Always thought they were beautiful planes since I was a kid.

[@timharris3203]

I drove by those planes going back and forth to Duncan Az back in the mid 80s that sea plan had been ther a long long time

[@harveyvictor6786]

im from san carlos always drive by n wonder about them planes this video is awesome thanks for showing the inside of the planes..

[@FlyingWildAZ]

You bet Harvey, thanks for watching!

[@N98858]

Hey Tim, Merry Christmas Sir... My Dad used to fly N459BV and N244D as Airfreight Planes back in the day! The last thing that he told me on his death bed was "Son, STAY OUT of OLD Airplanes" that from a 30K ATP Rated Airline Pilot with 15 majors/no accidents/incidents or violations! Captain Dad... My Pride and Joy! Thanks ';-)

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Merry Christmas to you as well Conquest! Wow, that is an amazing link that you have to the planes featured in the episode. Your dad was a very wise man who racked up an impressive experience record. What other vintage aircraft did he fly during his career?

[@N98858]

@@FlyingWildAZ much like yourself he had been the Chief Pilot for The NYS Dept. of Health at Roswell Park. Flew a Cessna 310i N8006M, from 1964 thru 1969, thought up Air Ambulance in it's early inception and was considered to be a 310's Pilot's PILOT. After the State cut the budget Dad went to a Company Named BAC/Buffalo Aeronautical Corp where he flew a plethora of Aero Commanders 680F through 690's and that stint also included the B18's as Air Freight became more prevalent. My Father was a 30K ATP Rated Pilot that had 15 majors with n accident's, incidents or violations that included a Commendation and Award from American Rockwell Industries for an in-flight engine failure where the 690 engine gear reduction section blew apart and spit pieces into the fuselage... Dad realizing the magnitude of the emergency elected NOT to wait for the Auto Feather system to override and feathered the engine manually! After a safe landing and inspection it was decided by AR engineering that had he not manually feathered that the wing would have broken off, hence tragedy (or so I recall the story) ! Dad died in 1987 and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't tell a good "FRANK Story", thatns for allowing me to share a little bit about my dad with you Sir!

[@billyboy3031]

@@N98858 thank you for sharing about your dad with all of us!! Just an amazing man with an incredible record! Thank you so much! God bless your dad and my hope is he's flying right now!

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

@@N98858 Thank you for sharing a little of your Dads amazing story. A great idea would be if you could do a youtube series called "Franks Flying stories" of something like that. Telling the stories as you remember them. Blue skies to all.

[@allenhuddleston4616]

Thanks Tim . I just discovered your channel today . Interesting concept to show abandoned aircraft . It would be terrific if interested and well funded viewers found a dream plane to restore . Keep up the great work . Crying shame regarding all of the birds on this story . The Albatross and the two Beech 18 types are shameful losses .

[@VMCAviationVideos]

Sad to see the Albatross and Beech 18 sitting there

[@joeknight4250]

It's so sad see that beech 18 scrapped, she was a warrior of the sky.

[@danielrine3103]

Hi Tim, first time viewer, great great great video, so very interesting, I use to work at CAK and we had Beech18's come in, what a memory nice job....):

[@indridcold8433]

The last airworthiness certificate for N6018 Aerobat model 150L was in 1972 and last registered in 1986. Their was an action of sorts on the registration in 2019 the 9th of March. Perhaps the Aerobat was saved from the ravages of time.

[@allenjenkins1862]

How sad to see this airport in this condition. I learned to fly here around 1980. My friend Ken Brink and I owned a 172 together. Another friend, Bob Mace, an A & P, lived here with his family, and worked out of the hanger. It seems like forever ago.

[@terriecotham1567]

Years ago I flew across the states to home and our airport was not much more than strip in the middle of weeds no fuel or services other than a few tie downs Now days its a small place , hangers nice local place with fuel and the place 30 miles away with fuel, charts, hangers, and drinks is no more that a big parking lot , 1/2 of the runway is gone. hangers have for the most part become storage places or that's how they look to me. Things change and all ways will some day we may look back at the SR 71 black bird setting on a old ramp and wonder how any thing like it could fly. We now have craft that make the SR-71 look like a Model T in the aircraft world and the GPS systems have went the way of the Loran and yet the ADF seems to be old and out of date it will still pick up AM radio stations and lead you to them even in darkest of nights if you new EFIS systems fails 1980 like so many a good year for pilots

[@hostilesavage4299]

It is a small airport nothing sad about it... maybe your life is a sad wreck lol

[@shaunroberts9361]

Awesome.

[@Britcarjunkie]

The 18's and the Albatross have been sitting there for 22 years that I know of. Oh, the floor of a Beech 18 is balsa wood. Those were nice birds: the white 18 has the taller cabin roof, and the bare one had de-icers, and was probably setup with a 1000 mile fuel supply. Too bad they're so far gone.

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

The E model had the taller cabin overhead.

[@MrShobar]

4:40. That "hole in the ceiling" was used for an antenna. 7:20 The Collins antenna is a glideslope antenna.

[@jonnybeck6723]

Thanx Tim... Hope you're not flying solo on these cool expeditions. Cheers

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Hi Jonny, thanks for watching, I bring my son along usually but on this one I think I was enroute to work for the week. We got moving on a new season of episodes!

[@accousticdecay]

Just happened across this and I am hooked! Found the field on Google Earth, just for kicks. I used to fly right-seat in a Cessna 337 push-pull. These things are relics in this age.

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

And so are those of us who flew them.😊

[@JimAustin]

I drive by those Electra's every week on the way to Morenci and it's huge and with the expansions its getting bigger, those 3 oldest planes have been there for ever tho.

[@lancomedic]

Mikey and the gang could fix up that Beech 18 in no time.

[@sinisteryaknow8886]

Man those planes been sitting in that airport for years! Use to be several other planes there as well.

[@sonoranrain2330]

Great story my friend. Thank you for keeping these old planes running! Malami salamat!!!!

[@ronvrooman9423]

I owned N90513 for several years.

[@veanwhitcher7867]

Loved the windshield,they had such imagination then!

[@crazybrit-nasafan]

Hi Tim. Have liked and sub'd. Just found your channel today. Will look through those you have done and look forward to seeing more. Someone should point out that Albatross to Mikey McBryan from 'PLANESAVERS' It would make an excellent series three once he has finished the Fokker.

[@nizexlizzy]

Hole in roof was for internal light as well as rotating Beacon on top.

[@rlsdw745]

now 75, flew B-18’s in Georgia in 1973. Flew Purolator checks to Fulton Co. to be processed. Good airplane.

[@craigpennington1251]

On the beech 18. Looks like they vandalized what they couldn't steal from the cockpit panel. What a shame. Yes, the Aerobat was the ticket when I was getting into flying. Very cool 150 upgrade. The 150 is a great aircraft to fly around for a whole lot less $. Loads of fun too. The Aerobat can be saved.

[@bobderuyter5253]

Thanks for the great views from the old airplanes. The thing that is hard to hear is when you are showing us the inside and outside of the planes you are both talking over each other and its hard to hear you. Keep up the great work because we would never be able to see these planes

[@richardroberge411]

The Hard Mounts were for Drop Tanks...Or detachable fuel tanks!

[@r2gelfand]

Back in the late 90's, early 2000's, I remember seeing a company flying Twin Beech's (might have been Cessna's, out of Long Beach Airport daily.

[@Britcarjunkie]

I recall them - and they did operate 18's. They had regular runs to Catalina and there was also another outfit at Hawthorne that operated them: one of them was called Air Fast Freight, but I can't remember which one. I worked at Skytypers when they were at Long Beach back in the late'70's/early '80's, before they got kicked out so Douglas could build the C-17 production buildings. Interesting corner we were in: a guy in a hangar behind us was restoring a Tri-Motor, we had several ex-Honduran Air Force Corsairs sitting next to us (somebody got one of them airworthy while I was there), along with a Lockheed Loadstar, that was said to have once been owned by Howard Hughes, and on the south side of the field from where the Beech 18's operated (they used to be next to a flight school), there used to be 4 Douglas Skyraiders in shipping crates (1 was a AD-5), and a Mallard, that a friend of mine was the co-owner of, and he had me wash it a few times. (I was in my teens) Fun times there, back then. Amazing how seeing this video can jarr a few memories I hadn't thought about in ages.

[@Pilot_Dad_Adventures]

N203C - 1954 BEECH E18S - Expired Reg 12/31/13 out of El Paso, Texas. NTSB - Gear collapsed accident in 1975.

[@vrosi1963]

Would guess either of the B-18 at san Carlos worth restoring if the price was basically free

[@VMCAviationVideos]

Is it sitting in San Carlos since then?

[@brucebear1]

@@VMCAviationVideos - No, probably not. It was re-registered in 1981 so it must have flown at some time since the gear collapse accident. Date of manufacture - 1954 so almost 10 years newer than the other Beech 18 in the video.

[@VMCAviationVideos]

@@brucebear1 - Ok Thanks.

[@rkelsey3341]

I am looking at the FAA page on N203C, and although it says El Paso, the county is listed as Tarrant and the ZIP Code 76106. El Paso is in El Paso county. Fort Worth and 76106 are in Tarrant county. Looks like the FAA made a mistake on that registration.

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

I worked for a small AMO where the owner had 1 airworthy and a couple gutted airframes .... he donated one with wheel/skis to a bush plane museum.

[@TheBostonranger1]

Man I really like all of your videos.

[@davidlewis9572]

Really like the Areobat great airplane, somebody needs to restore it

[@brettp5543]

The current owner perhaps? Its owned by a fellow in nearby Globe,AZ and currently registered...

[@garyhand4701]

Tim, Watched episode about abandoned aircraft and wondered about N4796U and wondered why a Corp. from Wilmington, Delaware would desert and let a once great airplane fall apart

[@brucebear1]

Delaware has no corporate tax and very low property tax. Many aircraft are registered the Delaware that have never been within 2000 miles of the state. Many corporations are registered in Delaware that have never been within 2000 miles of the state (except for a mailbox in a post office somewhere).

[@spicyd52]

These planes should be restored and put on display like in a museum for a few to be viewed by aero enthusiasts, so they can be maintain

[@fpvtrucker129]

The 18 where used a lot for sky diving back in the 70's but it was hard to keep motors in them had to get out of a 19 & DC 3 because of motor failure. Lost a lot from bad wing spares to.

[@brucebear1]

Sky diving aircraft are run hard. It's full throttle on the way up and then down as quick as possible to get another load. The more loads per day, the more money made. But it's easy to over-cool engines on the way down; seize pistons, crack cylinders and heads, fracture oil coolers, etc.

[@azmike3572]

I've also visited this airstrip. Noticed lots of bees going in and out of the larger aircraft. Be careful, as they're most likely Africanized and the nest they'll defend is in the aircraft.

[@rmgf1005]

N4796U, Grumman HU-16, Registered Owner: TRE Aviation Corp., Wilmington, Delaware

[@scottnewall9327]

Grumman HU-16B Albatross TECHNICAL NOTES: Engines: Two Wright R-1820s of 1,425 hp each. Maximum speed: 250 mph. Range: 1,650 miles. Span: 96 ft. 8 in. Length: 62 ft. 10 in. Height: 25 ft. 10 in. Weight: 36,000 lbs. maximum.

[@rmgf1005]

N6018J, Cessna A150L, Built 1972, Continental Engine 0-200, Owner: Nels D Gagnon, Globe, Arizona

[@scotabot7826]

Same person from Globe AZ. owns the 182A and the A150L Aerobat.

[@indridcold8433]

N44602 had its last air worthiness certificate in 2004! Built in 1945 and first registered in Ohio in 1946. It has been sitting in Arizona from at least 2011. She was deregistered in 2013. She was last owned by Majestic airlines headquartered out of Phillippines and has a hub in Zamboanga International Airport. I am not sure how the plain got to Arizona. However it appears Majestic Airlines purchased the plane in 2008.

[@indridcold8433]

It is unlikely either one of the Beech 18s will ever fly again. However, some of their parts may still be flying in very old planes. The Albatross may see the air and sea again. It seems repairable and most of it seems there. The small private planes look like they all have good possibilities for restoration some day, especially the Aerobat.

[@orlandopizzio5647]

3:00 Nice plane at right!

[@davidrussell2239]

Love your videos!!! So much treasure but too expensive to bring them back to life. Does anyone know why people just abandon these?

[@dennisfarquharson8114]

Oh nice playing I love flying every chance I get to go flying I do my friend has passed away now but I used to spend a lot of time flying with him and a Cessna 180 float all someone Hass to do is ask me if I like to go fly and I drop everything out of an instant I’m going to have to look up that airport next time I’m down

[@WatkinsFilmSchool]

The first Beech 18 is a deregistered 1954 model last owned by a CARLTON GEORGE B of El Paso, TX

[@scotabot7826]

What are they mining in those open pits? Nice little 150 you have! I want that Aerobat really badly! That thing is making me upset seeing it like that!!!!! The Reg. is good until 2023, so its not derelict. Also the "Omnivision term came when Cessna started putting rear windows in.

[@oprahwinfrey878]

N4796U is still registered until June, 2021 haha

[@VMCAviationVideos]

Interesting

[@algotto1]

Hello name is buddy.i love your show.iam a old pilot and mechanic A and P. Use to hold my IA. What's the odds of claming a an abandoned airplane working on it and flying It Off if I could get a ferry permit for it PS keep up the good work I love your show enjoy it Hartley.

[@KowboyUSA]

The stories those old birds would tell if they could talk.

[@rmgf1005]

N414WD, Cessna 182 A4E4F4, Built 1956, Owner: Nels D. Gagnon, Globe, Arizona, Continental Engine O-470

[@antoniomilare7833]

Grumman Albatross has 2x Wright Cyclone R-1820 engines, 1,425 HP each.

[@FPVREVIEWS]

Just collect them, and take them up to Canada, give em to Mikey, and he'll fix them up.

[@raspucin70]

Plane -Savers- *Hoarders*

[@robertoeleei]

The windshield whiper are so fast ? Gracias por compartir y Saludos

[@kencohagen4967]

Some beech 18's lead a door just for the pilot, some didn't. There are tons of variations in these aircraft. It's sad to see these aircraft in such bad shape. The Grumman has Wright R1820's in them.

[@TurboJenkins]

Tim, what splitter do you use for audio? Thanks

[@harryshaw3813]

The cessna's owner lived in MiamI Az just outside Globe Az

[@jimburig7064]

Just discovered this site while seeking refuge from the political mayhem. Beautiful AZ with its abundant sunshine! The Beech N44602 appears undamaged. Probably not economically feasible to resurrect her though.

[@tailwheelflier]

Jim Burig most likely a democrat that owns those cessnas 😂

[@southjerseysound7340]

The guy that owns the second Beech 18 owned a Bell206 that had its airworthiness taken away for swapping data plates. It was later used as a experimental by Van Horn for testing their rotors and crashed killing 2 people this last April.

[@davepowell3293]

Wright 1820 on the Albatros ,1450 hp

[@fasteddy4929]

The only hydraulics on an 18 were the brakes. The gear and flaps were electro mechanical.

[@VMCAviationVideos]

Nice to know👍

[@ozzieulloa6088]

The albatros probably sent the engin out to repair and prbabl needed tomuc for the yearly

[@bill2066]

HI Tim...great videos. Sorry to be a bit slow on the uptake here, but Question: When you say "abandoned" and "Ready to be picked up", etc....Does this mean these planes are totally FREE and anyone can come and just grab and go? Sounds too good to be true....Anyone else, feel Free to chime in....

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

If that Beech 18 could talk think of the tales it would tell.

[@gilamonsterfab3438]

N414WD has been rescued.

[@rixtrix11]

You might want to mention that this is San Carlos Apache-P13 airport, not San Carlos airport-4AZ7 ( Which I think is closed).

[@FlyingWildAZ]

Indeed you are correct. 4AZ7 is closed.

[@boblivingston4841]

I would wear snake boots in and around the aircraft.

[@tomortale2333]

BINGO

[@truthteller8459]

AZ. i think is a good place to find abandoned planes because a lot of old retired people move there with some buying them to fulfil their life long dream. but being old the owners die leaving the aircraft to rot away in the desert heat, sad.

[@charleyfoster7118]

Well, if the Oil Temp Regulator is from dayton, I'd guess a Wright radial engine. Couldn't begin o offer a model! Something from the 1940's, I imagine.

[@radioactivelarry]

Aerobat is registered until 1/2023. save that airplane.

[@fly4u570]

Manufactured year 1972

[@southjerseysound7340]

I bought a Aerobat for $8 grand that had a runout engine and did the rebuild with a friend with his AP/IA. I didn't know it was a Aerobat because I bought it sight unseen on the recommendation of a friend who's dad was involved in settling the estate. It was quite the surprise when we went to ferry it home. It also came with a Bollen tailwheel conversion that was in the boxes of spares. I did all of my private training in that thing,flew it everywhere and damn near ran the thing to its next overhaul before I sold it for 5 times what I paid for the thing.

[@Tglass]

Those Cessnas at the end are both owned by the same guy in AZ. Odd the 182 has new main gear tires but a gutted cockpit?

[@bahamasking2063]

Think he selling any?

[@thomasdobbs9001]

THAT SA 16 WAS THERE IN 1994 WHEN I LIVED IN PHOENIX ,WAS NOT GOOD SHAPE THEN !!!

[@unbearablebob6281]

If you could find the owner of that Aerobat, I wonder how low they would go?

[@FlyingWildAZ]

My buddy Steve in Safford just sent me a link to this web site called Aerial Visuals www.aerialvisuals.ca/. Very cool research tool for finding more info on abandoned airplanes. Mission Statement: The purpose of Aerial Visuals is to improve the awareness of aircraft preservation efforts, document where aircraft are preserved, document the histories of those aircraft and to improve the knowledge of our shared aviation heritage through visual media.