Looking at a 1951- PA 18 to Buy

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 17, 2021

• #1

I am Looking at a 1951 PA 18 to buy .
It is a Ranch Cub and has 2200 hrs on it, No Flaps , no electoral , Not sure the motor size ? 120 Hp?
it is under Annual not sure if it is not his cousin doing it? just looking at it it is used.
it is a old military trainer and does have toe breaks .He says it fly's great?
Any idea what something like this is worth? (Range ) lo End
Are they worth owning ?
I have a high end Cub 160Hp that is Fat and not sure i want to try to put it on a diet .
Looking for a cheaper cub to do some off strip work with that I am not as worried about running a stick though.
IF I do get it should I leave the way it is ,or put other wings on with Flaps ? or just work on my slips ?

 

J

Joe McMillen

Registered User

Dyersburg, TN

• Feb 18, 2021

• #2

I own a 1952 PA18 Special with an O-235, no flaps, and with electrical. Great flying machine, and I enjoy slipping it in when necessary. As far as what it is worth, whatever someone is willing to pay.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #3

Joe McMillen said:

I own a 1952 PA18 Special with an O-235, no flaps, and with electrical. Great flying machine, and I enjoy slipping it in when necessary. As far as what it is worth, whatever someone is willing to pay.

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Thanks Joe I hear they are good planes I like that it is light

 

Steve Pierce

BENEFACTOR

Graham, TX

• Feb 18, 2021

• #4

They fly nice but like anything with a small engine you know it when loaded or high density altitudes. I see a Super Cub like a new pickup, the first scratch hurts the worst.

 

B

bob turner

Registered User

• Feb 18, 2021

• #5

I truly hate the toe brakes, but otherwise a stock Tango Cub can be a thing of joy for under fifty K.

 

Utah-Jay

MEMBER

Heber City, UT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #6

“Tango Cub”?

 

J

Joe McMillen

Registered User

Dyersburg, TN

• Feb 18, 2021

• #7

N104Tango...

N104Tango... with toe brakes.

 

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Last edited: Feb 18, 2021

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #8

bob turner said:

I truly hate the toe brakes, but otherwise a stock Tango Cub can be a thing of joy for under fifty K.

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I learned in a Husky so I am good with tow breaks , what is a “Tango “ Cub ? and I was thinking around 25k thanks for your input.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #9

Your Cub is a lot better looking the one I am looking at. Thanks.

 

kase

SPONSOR

Billings MT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #10

There’s one just north of me that’s been for sale for awhile. Has 0235 Lyc. I thought 25k would be plenty.

 

A

alaskadrifter

Registered User

Alaska

• Feb 18, 2021

• #11

sohc427mt said:

I learned in a Husky so I am good with tow breaks , what is a “Tango “ Cub ? and I was thinking around 25k thanks for your input.

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I wish I could find a good cub for $25k.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 18, 2021

• #12

its a cub not sure how good it is ,motors about timed out and it has been well used. could be a fix up project

 

D

Dan Gervae

FRIEND

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

• Feb 19, 2021

• #13

Tango cubs had no flaps, toe brakes, and a T at the end of the N Number...Tango.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 19, 2021

• #14

Thanks i did not know that.

 

B

bob turner

Registered User

• Feb 19, 2021

• #15

The "Tango" toe brakes are not well thought out. Improperly adjusted they can cause serious problems. That said, the Tango Cubs are usually bargains.
25 K will get you one disassembled, needing cover and overhaul. Fifty will get you a nice one.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 19, 2021

• #16

Thanks for the info this one is around 25k but needs a full overhauled

 

WhiskeyMike

MEMBER

West Boxford MA

• Feb 19, 2021

• #17

Dan Gervae said:

Tango cubs had no flaps, toe brakes, and a T at the end of the N Number...Tango.

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"T" as in trainer, as in USAF training.

$25K will hardly buy you a used car these days, never mind a complete Cub.

 

skywagon8a

MEMBER

SE Mass MA6

• Feb 20, 2021

• #18

sohc427mt said:

Thanks for the info this one is around 25k but needs a full overhauled

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Since you are looking for a "beater" Cub, a "full" overhaul on this one may be overkill and $$$$$. Keep your investment low. Just fix what needs fixing and go flying. A Full overhaul would appear to defeat your purpose. Make certain the engine is in good condition and there aren't any tubing clusters falling out and go.

 

Steve Pierce

BENEFACTOR

Graham, TX

• Feb 20, 2021

• #19

WhiskeyMike said:

"T" as in trainer, as in USAF training.

$25K will hardly buy you a used car these days, never mind a complete Cub.

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You and I shop in a different used car market. Never spent that much on a car.

 

hotrod180

FRIEND

Port Townsend, WA

• Feb 20, 2021

• #20

Dan Gervae said:

Tango cubs had no flaps, toe brakes, and a T at the end of the N Number...Tango.

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Google Tango Cubs, several threads here about them.
"PA-18-105 Special", a buddy of mine owns one.
They were built as sort of a "pre-military trainer",
with toe brakes, no flaps, O235Lyc, and low seats so occupants could wear butt-pack parachutes.

From wiki: "PA-18-105 SpecialSpecial variant built in 1952 and 1953 for the Civil Air Patrol as a trainer with horn-balanced elevators and provision for seat parachutes.[SUP][3]"

[/SUP]Don't recall just how many were built, but I believe the original the tail number on all of them was 3 digits followed by a T--
hence the "Tango Cub" nickname.

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 21, 2021

• #21

Thanks great info

 

sohc427mt

MEMBER

Belgrede MT

• Feb 21, 2021

• #22

Good advice. I have that tendency to overkill everything