buying U.S. fighter jets....what is possible??

I know that Michael Dorn (from Star Trek), owns a sweet F 86, and some people own F 104's, but what is the latest U.S. military jet that can be legally purchased and what do they run for??? I would think that since the Starfighter is available that maybe something around that era..perhaps an F 105, or maybe even old F 4 Phantoms??? Since they are still in service though, maybe that's a no.
I remember watching so many A 6's, A 7's, S 3's, F 4's, F 14's, and F 8's fly the Pt. Mugu airshows that they must be available at some point to buy.

Any help is appreciated of course...Peace and Thanks, Mondo

Well I remember reading about this american guy who bought an F-18. I doubt it was a C or a D so propably an A or a B. I can't say what he payed for it so I won't even speculate.

Originally posted by Figher Master FIN
Well I remember reading about this american guy who bought an F-18. I doubt it was a C or a D so propably an A or a B. I can't say what he payed for it so I won't even speculate.

FIN, you have got to be kidding me!!! I honestly can't imagine that is even possible although truth is stranger than fiction though, right?? I would love to read and see that story if it is true. I have read many of your posts my friend and i respect them too, but c'mon now, do you really think this could be possible???
I suppose with the right amount of money and the correct influences within the military that anything is possible, but this one needs some research.
Per the thread though, thank very much.....I just was not expecting that recent of an aircraft........let;s check it out now!

Thanks again and Peace, Mondo

There isn't much in the way of 'new' military A/C available. Not to mention buying one is one thing... feeding it is an altogether separate issue.

Try these sites to see what is available:

Courtesy

Pride

A DN

508, by, "feeding it" I assume you mean fuel??? Is JP 4 really all that difficult to get, and could you not retrofit a different fuel systemor engine configuration?? All I am saying is that maybe you could get an F 4 let's say, but without an afterburning system, which would be nice of course, but not really needed for just a hobby buff.

I checked out your links and they are cool but the same dead end. L 39's are cool but seem to be about the best you can get...there's got to be more. And, the Mig 17 seems neat but I have to have some American pride on this one. Again, thanks.

Your thoughts are great and thank before and after....Peace, Mondo

[edit on 9-1-2007 by Mondogiwa]

I've seen Hunters, T-38s, Drakens and MiG-21s in private/corporate hands. I know there is a 'historical society' which flies an F-4E marked as one of Ritchie's airframes on the airshow circuit. Tracor I think it is, used to have both an F-4 and F-100s serving as towjets for various targets and EW decoys. And one guy I read has a Skyhawk he brought back in moldering pieces from somewhere in the Pacrim that he is trying to put back together.

Speaking of which, one of the Hoi Polloi Royals in Thailand or Malaysia has his own-marked F-5E (maintained by the Air Force) which he takes up for a spin now and again (as they are replaced by F-16/18/MiG-29).

The same used to be true of the King Of Jordan, an avid aviophile.

If you want to get technical, I think most of the MiG-29 and Su-27 demo teams are also flying as capital corporation 'private properties' now.

Frankly, the costs of ownership and particularly maintenance on retired fast jets is so high that among the worlds mega wealthy, if 10% of the upper 10% have a passion for flying fast jets, I still doubt if more than 50 people can /afford/ to own them as flyable airframes.

If nothing else, you can probably put 10 grande of conventional avgas into a (detuned) Merlin on a P-51 and fly for a month every weekend. I doubt if the same amount will get you more than a couple flights worth of avker. Jets With Burners are just thirsty damn beasts and fuel costs are astronomical these days.

Then there is the insurance factor. Jets tend to break faster and having four or five times the parts count (even when stripped of military systems like the radar), require greater stroking from a more expert hand in more frequent phased maintenance. Add to this the fact that everything is happening /at least/ 50 knots faster (in the pattern where most catastrophes happen) and you will just get soaked for currency factors on both the jet itself and your own competencies in flying it.

The people you want to ask this of are the ones who sponsor those 'avtrader' magazines. They will know to a T how many military aircraft are available as owned airframes and what the requirements for legal ownership are.


KPl.

Ch is dead-on. There have been a number of instances of jet woners augering their toy into the ground. So insurance is a big issue. As is getting a type certificate to fly one. But assuming you get through all that, even an L-39 will eat something to the tune of $500 worth of jet fuel per hour. The larger US fighters consume significantly more.

Check out these sites.

www.aso.com...

www.avbuyer.com...

www.controller.com...

www.aviatorsale.com...

dmoz.org...

I hope they help.

If I had the money, I would have my own air force.