http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3077361636

I was under the impression that for US military aircraft to be available to private operators, they all had to be retired out of service and that the Pentagon had to give them "warbird" status or something like that, plus all military hardware (weapons systems), had to be removed or deactivated...so that having been said, this can't possibly be a legitimate ad, right?

Greg

Did some checking up on it, and it looks genuine.

The current owner is a museum or collector, and has had it for sale and inspection for some time now outside of ebay.

The aircraft is complete, that is to say all the structural components are there.
The photos on the website I was given (sorry, lost the URL) show that all electronics and the engines are missing.
That indicates that all classified equipment has been removed, the aircraft is no more than an empty shell and can not fly.
It's therefore not airworthy and likely cannot be made airworthy (required components to do so are restricted and can indeed not be purchased without DoD approval).

The only possible illegitimacy I can think of is if someone is trying to sell this relic who is not actually the owner.

Nice lawn ornament. Beats the hell out of pink flamingos.

Actually, I think there are a handfull of ex-military planes flying around out there, owned by some rich guys. There are a ton ex-communist jets coming out of eastern Europe, particularly the Aero L39, of which there are quite a few examples flying around the US. I've heard of a guy in Vermont with his very own operational MiG-21, and a guy in Finland with a MiG-23. There's a story of one very clever ex-military pilot building his own F-104 out of junked parts. There are rumors about some guy flying his own F-16, and another with an F/A-18, and a couple more with T-38s. I'm sure all the weapons systems have been taken out of these planes, but they'll still fly all the same. If someone who knows for certain could confirm this, I'd be happy.

I think this article might be of interest..

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=66097&ran=47013

I saw a special on discovery about billionaire toys, and they focused on a few guys that love military hardware. One guy in the SF bay area that has like 80 tanks and missle trucks in 3 warehouses on his property, another guy that has a cobra helicopter, and even a guy (american I believe) that keeps his nuclear bomber in South Africa (only place a nuclear capable bomber is able to owned by a private citizen, according to the program).

They said they kept it at some airport that is a favorite with collectors of rare and military hardware. Anyone know the place they were talking about? I've forgotten the name, but recall it sounded like a theme park kind of name....

So, I'm sure anything is possible with enough cash.

I think the airport you are referring to in South Africa is called Thunder Bay.

It looks like it's been pulled?

It was on there before in the past, the same one IIRC. I'm sure someone will raise a stink over it.

DeltaGuy

Quoting Cadet985 (Reply 4): Actually, I think there are a handfull of ex-military planes flying around out there, owned by some rich guys. There are a ton ex-communist jets coming out of eastern Europe, particularly the Aero L39, of which there are quite a few examples flying around the US. I've heard of a guy in Vermont with his very own operational MiG-21, and a guy in Finland with a MiG-23. There's a story of one very clever ex-military pilot building his own F-104 out of junked parts. There are rumors about some guy flying his own F-16, and another with an F/A-18, and a couple more with T-38s. I'm sure all the weapons systems have been taken out of these planes, but they'll still fly all the same. If someone who knows for certain could confirm this, I'd be happy.

There's a guy in central PA with a Mig as well but I haven't seen it to know the model.

there is a MIG aircraft (don't know anything else about it) that always seems to be parked at the north las vegas airport here (where all the cessnas and learjets land away from mccaran)

I still don't know how to find out what took off from it, but about 2-3 years ago a big radial fired aircraft? B17? took off from the north las vegas airport. it's engines made the drone we all love from radials. I couldn't glimpse much of it because it climbed quickly and appeared to be heading towards los angeles area? was definitely a old bomber of some kind, not a fueling tanker or a fire fighting aircraft.

I would want to know how it landed/took off on a small airfield.

wow, this thread started some 2 years ago....it's alive.

Yeah, 2004 called, they want their thread back...

DeltaGuy