Intervention needed? Might sell RV-8

[wera710]

So I have a rare opportunity to own a 1942 PT-26 WWII Trainer. Always wanted a PT-19 and having a 26 with a canopy, while less sexy, would be more useful in our PA winters. BUT...it would require me to sell my RV-8. Here is where I would post a photo of my RV-8 but for some reason the site is not giving me posting options. You have all seen it. It's the RV-8 painted like a 357 FG, 362nd SQ bird with G4-P on the side.

I love it. I love the amazing rate of climb. I love the amazing cross country speed. Heck, I love the way it loops and rolls. But I find I just don't GO anywhere needing the long legs or speed. Mostly I fly locally, half the time slow, the other half of the time in formation with other RVs or Yaks. But not nearly enough to keep it fun. I just don't have anywhere to go requiring 5 hours of range at 170 mph!

The old warbird would give me plenty of reasons to fly low and slow, canopy open!!, and even more reasons to hit many of the small warbird oriented shows in the region.

Sigh. I just do not know what to do. Especially since selling the RV would give me about 20K to bank AFTER buying the PT-26!!! But man..going back to 100 mph? LOL. I am truly at a loss.

Help!

[Climb3zero]

It's simple. I always think to myself that if I would miss the machine after I sell it then I can reverse my decision and go find and buy another one....I am about a 10 airplane offender and I like different experiences. All the aircraft had traits that I liked.

A saying that I like, some will not like it...... is "Never love anything that can't love you back". I say go for it. And I say to someone considering buying an 8 to go for it if you have the means.

[Russ McCutcheon]

PT-26, not to attractive, total lack of performance.
Van?s RV-8, very attractive, total performance, a much better airplane then the PT-26 for every mission I could think of including just flying local and it will still get you to the War Bird fly ins where you can look at and dream about real War Birds like P-51s etc. Just my opinion, I guess there?s a market for everything even a PT-26.

[Mike S]

Are you single???

Remember what Pierre says-----------If Mama Aint Happy................

[p51dplt]

Scott,

For what it's worth, I have flown several warbird types over the year, and some are exhilarating for sure, but best bang for the buck, you'll never beat your RV. Sure it might not be wind in your hair or nostalgic, but I'd bet it'll be the best all around airplane you'll ever own. I know I'll never get rid of mine, it's great!

Good luck!

[Vlad]

Nooooooo keep it!! She is a beauty with great history. Sell more sniper rifles or your slow Porsche if you need extra roubles

[wera710]

Vlad, you always cut right to the chase. LOL. But if it came down to quitting the track or quitting flying, I gotta say this. I have been flying since I was 15, and cannot imagine not being able to fly...but nothing, not even flying RVs, beats the track for pure exhilaration and adrenaline! Flying, at least flying the way the FAA wants us to fly, is totally lame by comparison. ;-)

As to the rest of the comments, yup. You all are right on all counts. And that is the dilemma. I have had fun low and slow or high and fast. The only real problem with the RV is the amount of CASH owning one ties up. You could own four antique/classics for the price of one RV. And YES, it does everything better than all of them. Probably combined. Hands down. But they too have their charms. I like old, slow aircraft. I like, and sometimes miss, the charms of the Luscombes, the stupid silly ease of a Cub, even the under-powered brute size and beauty of a polished C-170. Or...lol...the list goes on. And thats the thing. I cannot own two birds, not with so much tied up into the RV. So having $90K tied up in an RV is keeping me out of several other birds I want to experience. I need to sell more guns, like Vlad says, but sales are slow in the summer and I need some open cockpit time to decompress!

Anyone local to SE Pa want to take me up in a biplane so I can get over this fugue? Maybe I just need air in my hair again. ;-)

[colojo]

Tough choice. I love my RV-8 and would probably sell my Mooney before I'd sell the 8.

Scott, what model Porsche do you have? Given your comments about the adrenaline rush of the track maybe I'll have to take mine to one.

[Berchmans]

I have an RV8 and a Citabria on EDO 2000's...I say buy the 26 and keep the 8. If one plane can't do all you want you simply need more planes. If it were about saving money I would give up flying, hunting, fishing...you get it...

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by wera710

------- selling the RV would give me about 20K to bank AFTER buying the PT-26!!! But man..going back to 100 mph? LOL. I am truly at a loss.

Help!

The 20K would go a long way toward buying a RV 3 or 4