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C

cabasue@susancaba.com

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Hi, mainly I'm seeking advice. My dad spent a large part of my childhood recovering his Cruisemaster 14-19-2 Cruisemaster. He finally got it put together and in the air again. Then a neigbhor backed a riding mower into one of the wings and punctured it--my dad recovered it, again.

To make a long story short, Dad died about 10 years ago. The Bellanca has been sitting ever since; fuselage recovered, wings recovered and waiting to be reattached. Engine overhauled and flown about five hours before the unfortunate puncture. My mother is now ready to sell the plane and I'm trying to find out how to find out what it's worth, where to sell it and whether to have it reassembled or sell as a (nearly complete) project. As far as I know, the recovering is complete to the final painting stage.

Anybody have any advice about how I should proceed? It would be greatly appreciated.....Susan
 
I'm not an expert and will just give you a few pointers. A new engine that has sat for ten years is in many eyes a worn out engine. Bellancas are wonderful airplanes but there are more Bellancas out there than there are people who appreciate them and so they command less money than they are worth. I can't figure out why someone will pay more for a Cessna 140 than a tripple tail Bellanca, but that is the awful truth. Finally, every dollar you invest in the plane will add ten cents to the value. True it's hard to sell a plane that isn't running, but unless you can do the work yourself, I suspect anything you pay to have done will not increase the value enough to pay for the work. To sell it, I suggest using this website (the price is right) and perhaps invest in a classified add in "Trade-a-Plane" which is the one advertising magazine that real buyers look at. If you get a call from any other magazine or website with promises of low cost and zillions of people seeing the add-ignore them. Trade a Plane is it!!! website is http://www.trade-a-plane.com/index.html Lots of luck. See if others agree with my advice.
 
Susan:

I agree with Peter. If the engine sat, it needs an overhaul. This is a 20k expense depending on the condition of the internal parts. All cylinders would need to be replaced or rebuilt. The prop may need an overhaul as well.

If the aircraft has not been kept in a hangar or inside an enclosed structure, sorry to say, it's worthless. You mentioned a neighbor with a lawn mower which makes me wonder if it was kept inside. If you can get someone to haul it away for you, that would be a good deal.

Sorry for all this bad news, Susan. Ten years is simply too long for an aircraft to sit and hold any real value. It would be a project if it hadn't sat, because it needs paint and it's not legally airworthy. Aircraft require an annual inspection, meaning nearly all things that move must be inspected, many items, such as hoses, would need replacing, and so forth. This could run from 2000 dollars and probably twice that for an aircraft that has not known flight for a decade.

My understanding is that you cannot post an ad here unless you're a club member. I could be wrong. Barnstormers gets a LOT of traffic (http://www.barnstormers.com) and the ads there are free.

A good 14-19-2 can fetch 35-40k. One in excellent condition is worth 40-50k. Advertise it strictly as a project. If is has been kept indoors ask 15k, and be happy if you get 10. Keep the wings off, because the airplane will have to be hauled away, as it cannot be flown away.

Again, Susan, sorry for the bad news :cry:

Jonathan
 
Actually, the airplane has been hangared in Southern California--the neighbor with the riding mower was at the airport. I hope the news isn't quite so dire, but we'll see. I've gotten some info offline about inspections and such; I'll keep ya'll up to date on what I find out. And, from what I've read, it might be a good thing that the wings aren't attached--it might give a potential buyer a better look at the wing wood and such. We'll see....
 
If it was kept inside dry country things may indeed not be quite as dire as Peter and I first said. I felt I had to begin with the worst case, Susan, as there were few details in your initial post.

Please keep us posted :)

Jonathan
 
There are projects and there are projects. If the plane is all there, and in good shape with fabric on and just needing paint, someone could take it on and get it flying eventually. Then you can get 10-15K easily, but if it's all in sad shape, less.
 
Hi Susan,

I'm interested in your aircraft. I have a 'Master with badly checked wing spars rendering the plane unservicable. If the wings of your 'Master are in good condition we might be able to make a deal. I would take the entire project.

The only hitch is I have a deal pending for a similar project in Alaska. Although the seller and I agreed on a price three months ago not much has happened since and I'm begining to lose patience.

If you would like to contact me, my email address is Citabria@shaw.ca

Phil
 
I wouldn't write off the engine just because it sat around. It's not a piece of fruit. It can be inspected for internal rust without disassembly, and if it's clean in there you've got some good value. I do agree with other posts regarding Bellanca values....great for buyers, not so good for sellers. They are the best kept (not-so-secret) secret in aviation.

Why not put it back together & fly it yourself. That would be a great legacy for your dad. Perhaps you could even find a partner who's cash contribution would cover the reassembly cost. It would make for relatively cheap & loads of fun flying too.

Best Regards
jeff
 
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