Important planes to be sold on the 19th in Middlefield, Ohio:
http://www.starmanauctions.com/upcomingauctions.5.htm
Does anyone know the history behind the Firebird Enterprises collection? Who owned it? Did the owner pass away?
Great airplanes
Important planes to be sold on the 19th in Middlefield, Ohio:
http://www.starmanauctions.com/upcomingauctions.5.htm
Does anyone know the history behind the Firebird Enterprises collection? Who owned it? Did the owner pass away?
Great airplanes
When a prang seems inevitable, endeavor to strike the softest, cheapest object in the vicinity, as slowly and gently as possible.— advice given to RAF pilots during W.W.II.
According to the auction brochure:
AUCTIONEER’S NOTE: Jack Venalack, Owner of Firebird Enterprises, has contracted with Starman Bros. Auctions, inc. to sell at Public
Auction his collection of very nice Aircraft. This Auction includes some very unique Aircraft and the workmanship and maintenance has
been first rate.
Maybe he just found a new hobby?
Baloney is still baloney, no matter how thin you slice it.
Thanks, that satisfies a curiosity.
I got that flyer in the mail yesterday. I forwarded it on to Bill Tracy in anticipation of me winning the lottery he can act as my bidding agent.
Steve Pierce
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."
Henry Ford
Taking Shannon's checkbook
Last edited by behindpropellers; 05-08-2012 at 08:24 AM.
Piper J-5A C-90 N40877
J-5 Project Pictures
Don't bother to bid on the Spartan - it's mine (I wish).
I know some of these airplanes... My good friend John Burton restored the Howard, Spartan, Waco and a CAP 10 that is not Pictured (probably not listed as it was Jacks favorite) .... Jacks buisness was severely hit by the economy.... Kind of a sad thing to see him sell off his airplanes. I know for a fact that he has well over 250K into that Waco alone and it will not go that high in an Auction setting......
I am going to talk to my friend who did the restoration's and see if he knows why Jack is selling....
Brian
Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2
Edit:
Just talked to John and sure enough, Jack is pretty much broke..... This economy has basically shut him down. Not to mention that he is getting "up there" in age and has not flown any of the big airplanes in years. So, he is keeping his CAP 10 and letting everything else go. Its too bad, Jack is one hell of a nice guy.
I did find this pretty cool picture of the Howard when it was on floats though.....
32544_438713126557_696636557_6167708_6653401_n.jpg
Last edited by Steve's Aircraft (Brian); 05-08-2012 at 12:27 PM.
Hard to believe that some of those airplanes haven't been picked up by collector's with deep pockets. That Waco Taperwing is the one I want.
Y'all shut up and stay the Hell away. Last thing I need is everybody and their mother running the bids up on my new airplanes.
Well the howard just dropped in price after it was revealed it was on floats!
I have heard that the planes have been up for auction 2X before and he cancelled the auction.
Tim
Piper J-5A C-90 N40877
J-5 Project Pictures
Clay, I could take one for each day of the week!!!!
It was on floats for a very short time.... One trip to Alaska and back right after the complete frame up restoration, and it was never on floats before that.... After the trip to Alaska, the floats were removed and sold... (Howard's are not the best float performers) and the airplane went through an extensive cleaning and rust preventative job. The rudder was removed and re-covered at that time.... So... I would not worry about any problems due to the floats being on it for as short a time as it was.Originally Posted by behindpropellers
The Spartan had a gear collapse before my friend got the job to restore it. One wing is new. The gear pivot blocks were machined and hardened out of 6061 billets due to the original cast ones being the week point and what caused the collapse to begin with.... That airplane is immaculate inside and out...
The Cabin Waco won an award at Arlington before it was flown back east. Lots of little custom bits on that airplane and also just as immaculate as the rest.... Jack had 3 full time shops doing nothing but restore and maintain these airplanes in top perfection.... I would not hesitate to bid on any of them if I had the coin to do so....
Brian.
There are some good looking aircraft there. I like the Champ -- think that's about all I can handle!
That's a nice looking Gee Bee. Anyone have an idea whay it might go for?
Tom
Ah..the Spartan Executive....always lusted after that airplane....saw one in Trade-A-Plane when I was 12..and it became one of the planes I was going to own *someday*
Unfortunatley, ugly reality has a way of killing all those adolescent dreams
We did however, end up with a post war travel trailer made by Spartan Aircraft. You could see the aircraft sheetmetal skills evident in its construction.
Saw a Spartan airframe salvage at the Alaska Airmans Museum...looked like they were built like a brick outhouse.
Maybe someday......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vng_OQ7IZ74
Spartan Aircraft history
http://www.spartantrailer.com/
The Spartan Executive is an airplane to behold, I remember doing an engine change on one in my early mechanic years, I was in awe of the luxury of an older airplane of its design that displayed that comfort, speed and power. Jon Burton has been working in my hangar this winter helping me with a large and difficult load of projects. I can not express how grateful I am to have him here. He is the epitomy of the old school tradesmen. Consider his projects worthy of your investments.
X 2
He is going to be missed by us in Oregon.... you guys up north inherited one hell of a good guy and mechanic....
Brian.
Its a "global village" nowadays with internet and so on. I sure enjoyed meeting Brian Jr the other day on his visit to Alaska. You guys are welcome here anytime to stay. keep an eye on the auction as it is in indicator to the market of these airplanes and what is happening in America. My only hope is that the Spartan owner will offer me a ride and perhaps a few moments to hold the yoke and throttle and remember the days when America turned out an airplane of that prestige. Damn straight, gentlemen submit your bids!
Heard that the Daytona Cub went for $100K.
anyone know what the spartan went for?
One of our local friends got the Gee Bee for 80K.
Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not.
Heard the Spartan went 'in the 300 range' but nothing more detailed.
In transition. Never sit still.
Custom Cabin Waco: $155K and going to Australia.
Taperwing: $140K
I heard 325K for the Spartan from a friend that was there.
Does anyone know what the Maule went for?
Would have brought more if Dave had done the promo...
"Illegitimis non carborundum"
Ha.........
Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not.
Sparta 325,000
RV8 90000
Pitts 37,000
Extra 204,000
Waco Taperwing 142,000
Waco Cabin 155,000
Gee Bee 95,000
Ryan 86,000
Howard 160,000
Daytona Cub 100,000
Maul
65,000
Aerostar 80,000
I used to own another airplane built by Ken Flaglor, the Flaglor Hi Tow. In 1984 I think, Ken had the Gee Bee at Blakesburg AAA flyin. I have a picture of me sitting in it. At the time he told me the total cost to build it out of his pocket was $10K.
In 1985 he flew it to Springfield, MA, home of the Granville Brothers for a big model airplane show there. I flew the Hi Tow (really a Fleet 16B with a 220 Continental on it) up to Springfield and met up with him again. He got to fly the Fleet. He hadn't seen it since 1959.
Rich
Comm/Inst/CFIA/CFII...Now a happy Sport Pilot
What did the champ go for?
Piper J-5A C-90 N40877
J-5 Project Pictures
Opps I missed that one. The champ went for 24,500
The Waco Cabin is flying again down here. It travelled well. Did 5 hours last week end. One very nice machine.
Happy to hear that all is well. That plane and all the others in the collection were really special. Got to ride in some of the planes over the years. Rick
Never stay level!!!!!
The Gee Bee is getting a new engine put on here in Zanesville.
Those who pound their guns into plows, will plow for those who do not.
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