The Story of an $8,000 Mooney Aircraft
2023 ж. 17 Мау.
390 868 Рет қаралды
The story of how I found an $8,000 Mooney Airplane and restored it. It is still a work in process!
You can contact me at Eurostonewerks@aol.com
The story of how I found an $8,000 Mooney Airplane and restored it. It is still a work in process!
You can contact me at Eurostonewerks@aol.com
Hi Mark. My name is Marcus. I just watched your video. Congratulations. You can imagine my surprise when the part where your neighbor took you to ride in his Mooney. When you showed the panel I noticed that the plane was N5535Q. My father used to own that Mooney. I have flown in that plane more times than I count count. My dad loved that plane. It just about broke his heart when he had to sell it. He passed a few years ago. Thanks for bringing this back to me.
Amazing 👍
Marcus, this plane is N206HT. However, parts could be from any number of planes. I hope to have it flying and look forward to having the plane make more memories like your. Thanks for sharing that. This plane has become more meaningful by the week
I was referring to your friend's plane, N5535Q was the N number on the panel. I knew it was in Alabama. The FAA has the registration to a company Named Johnson Bar Inc. I'm sure that is your friend, unless he has sold it. @@MarkPepke
@@marcushart7335 I re-read your comment and realized that I was so terribly fixated on 206HT that I missed that detail. You should know that the plane is in good hands and has recently undergone some maintenance to keep it flying properly. It was the first Mooney I had the privilege to fly in.
What an incredible story, unbelievable that the previous owners family saw this update!!
Hey man! I'm the son of the guy that sold you that plane! We flew that thing for years I couldn't believe it when I ran across your video! I'm so glad to see you restoring it back to its former glory it's a beautiful plane!
I drive 90 to work sometimes and always noticed the plane out in the guys field - glad to see it being rehabilitated!!
I love that you rescued this Mooney. Glad it turned out to be in better shape than you anticipated. Best wishes in this adventure!⭐️
What a steal! I am blown away by how nice it was just after you washed it. Glad you found a deal.
Thanks, yeah it cleaned up better than I actually thought it would. I couldn’t resist the left to right side clean vs dirty shot.
This is such a great airplane! My uncle owned one of these aircraft’s with three other gentlemen in Florida. My uncle passed away a few years ago at the age of 93, he was an awesome uncle!He learned to fly in the Peruvian air forces and graduated “Primero en Clase” in 1943. He came to the states after graduating and trained American fighter pilots. He loved his Mooney. He loved flying! When I was learning to fly he told me the two most important rules in flying, “ 1) You never have to take off 2) You always have to land” he was telling me you are the captain of your ship make your own decisions and don’t let someone else pressure you to make bad decisions. I was 17 years old when he told me this. I have never forgotten this advice. Thanks for sharing this find.
You stole my fantasy! The one where I rebuild a hidden gem of a found plane. I'm going to really enjoy watching you bring this baby back to life. Well done! :)
I sold my 1964 M20E just over a year ago after owning it for 6 years. I traveled all over the west in it and loved that plane. It was the perfect cross country machine. I hope you can get this one back in the air!
Mooney is an awesome aircraft. Lucky man you are to get acquired for $8,000.00 dollars, all things considered. Learn everything you can about this aircraft, everything to the detail. It’s my dream aircraft and I really hope to be able to buy one…one day, yes. I wish you a very good luck on this acquisition and hope to see the progress in getting this great aircraft airworthy and flying again. Good luck, truly and congratulations. I’ll keep faithful you won’t find major problems in the airframe. The rest will fall in place . Take care . 41:39
I sold my C a couple of months ago after traveling all over the eastern portion of the continent in all kinds of cloud dodging weather. I'm far from content with not having plane anymore after 4 years of ownership. How do you cope?
I paid 8000 for my 62C as well, but it was in 4 sections. Welcome to the irrational Mooney club, love mine and have 350 hours flown after restoration.
As a retired corporate pilot with A&P and a bunch of Mooney time from the early 70's I am eagerly awaiting more videos. If you were located in NJ I would have loved helping you. Good Luck!
I'm so unbelievably jealous! What a score! Finding and restoring a beat up old airplane has always been a dream of mine and you get to do it. Congrats and I'm subscribing to follow along vicariously.
Like a lot of old guys in aviation, I was a lot worried about your safety when i started watching but as the video played on I can only say fantastic. I have been flying since 1966 (military) and wrenching the entire time as an A&P IA. You have the right attitude and a good A&P helping you out. Can't wait to see the final results. If I was closer I would repair that wing for the cost of parts. Love sheet metal repairs more than flying. Good luck from Oregon.
Oregon... thanks for the kind words. I appreciate you seeing my caution in all of this. It’s too bad your not close. I’m looking to learn everything about this plane in and out, mark
You have exactly the right attitude about this adventure. My compliments and the best of luck in your endeavor to get this pretty bird back into her element. I'll be watching!!
More videos coming soon, thanks
Mark thanks for posting this. Congratulations on your purchase. Please keep posting more videos on your progress as you bring her back to the skies! 👍🏻👍🏻
More coming soon : )
I plan on a project like this when I retire. Picked a good one mate. Classic.
Completely stunned at how well she cleaned up
Congratulations. Rarely do such field finds turn out so well. Beautiful plane.
I remember flying in my Grandfather's hot rod Mooney back in the early 70s.... a real Cadillac in flight and very fast compared to the Pipers and Taylorcraft we normally buzzed around in with my uncles. Good on you for finding and saving this pearl!
What a beautiful aircraft. You got a great deal and I look forward to seeing videos of you restoring it and flying it!
Nice find! Good luck with the restoration and I hope you keep posting videos. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress and see her get back in the air.
Good luck Mark. I found my 68C basically wasting away. It’s been a long process but it will be soaring once again very soon. Parts are hard to find but they are out there. Dedication, patience and Money and you will have a great Airplane!
This is so cool! Literally what we all dream about. Also no judgement for not knowing where stuff is😆. That's all part of it!
You started this channel off strong. I'm really interested in seeing this come along. It takes a special person to meet a challenge like this.
Hello Mark I cannot emphasize enough obtain every repair and parts manuals you can get your hands on in relation to the Moony M20E21 the 43.13 is a must and before taking on any task always consult with someone with more experience of which will help you to make good decisions and will also be good to help you keep track of everything that is being done to her by you Best of luck and enjoy your Aircraft
A big congrats Mark!! It's a great feeling no matter what! 8) I choose to be a positive person and look for the good in everything I can. You have a great project there! I would take my time and go through every square inch. There is a lot to be learned there! I was involved in doing a 1943 Cub that came to us in 1000+ pieces! LOL You will likely make friends with your FAA inspector, he will want to see every square inch of it also. LOL Take your time and enjoy the process. It will all be worth it the day you go down the RW and lift off for the first time!! I'll try to follow along the best I can. Congrats again!! 8) --gary
That's a very sharp looking airplane, I love the shape and windows.
Great find, I just love seeing the old stuff saved, I'm a 63 model myself. Step one fix everything, step two have a cold snack. What could possibly go wrong. Cheers from Jacksonville Florida 🌞
Hi Mark. Please take the time to go over the airplane from top to bottom. I would also scope the engine and inspect/replace everything under the cowling that looks questionable. Don't cut corners because those are the things that come back to bite pilots when they least expect it. I would perform an eddy current inspection on the wing spar with a special focus on all areas where aluminum is in contact with steel. I know all of these things costs money, but since you have the logbooks, you will be able to recover some of the money you are putting into the airplane when or if you sell it.
I couldn’t agree more. I plan on nut and bolting the entire plane and engine.... no bolt unturned, no rivet unchecked
I'm really looking forward to the next video! The Mooney looks fabulous, and you seem like a real nice guy!
Congratulations on your acquisition! I have a 68C but would love an extra 20 hp. Be sure you borescope those cylinders really well. Extensive ground running can do more harm than good, so be sure and limit that once you get her fired up. You and your a&p friend may be able to pull a jug and see what that cam looks like, but you still may be able to take a peek at the rear of camshaft with a borescope through dipstick tube. Good luck and looking forward to seeing more updates!
Wolfman.... sorry, couldn’t resist. That’s one of my next tasks. I’m prepared to go through and rebuild the engine. In fact I’m planning on doing it for safety and flying confidence.
Ahhh... those Mooneys! When I was young and beautiful, I was part of a joint ownership of a 61 M 20C. What an amazing little airplane that was! Thanks for the video can't wait to see the follow ups - have just subscribed. Greetings from far away Switzerland Charlie
We have one thing in common, I was young once 😅 I'm still beautiful 😅
A friend and I bought a 1968 M20F Executive in the mid-1980s for $9K. We put a little money and a lot of sweat into it and got it flying.
I look forward to following your progress on this rebuild and wish you the best.
Hi Marc ,you have my full admiration.Respect.Have a good time in your machine.God bless you,be careful.Many greetings Klaus from Germany 🤠✌
CONGRATS, thanks for sharing!
Damn, dude you got a good deal! I paid 10k for mine, without the engine. I bought a ‘68 Mooney M20C. The original motor that went in it was the Lycoming O-360 A1D carbureted. I bought a used IO-30 A1A fuel injected, for 7k. It just finished the over haul, and about to install it. i am almost done restoring the plane as well. The right sump fuel valve broke off inside the wing, so I have to get that replaced, and resealed. I made some videos on it, on my channel if you want to check it out. Great plane, and purchase! Safe flying!
Thanks man! . Sounds like your deal is similar. I can’t wait to go see your videos, Mark
Realistically I think you got a solid buy. The plane actually appears in good condition compared to other plane rebuilds on KZhead. For being outside Thumbs up
I am genuinely envious even if it never flies again. I'd just sit in it. Gorgeous
This video was way more fun to watch than anything else on KZhead!
Hi Mark, I wish you the very best with your lovely Mooney. It's going to take far longer than you think - restorations always do - but all your hard work and hard-earned money will be well spent. Your plane has found its correct owner. It looks as if there are lots of people rooting for you on this one and they can form an orderly queue behind me!
What a beautiful aircraft!
I absolutely love Mooneys!
This will be a very fast airplane, based on the airspeed it shows on the ground, not running! Good Luck!!
Best of luck with your new Mooney! Thanks for sharing
Geez, what a score you have found! I'm a little envious! looking forward to another video. keepem coming!..
Thank you for sharing. Will love to see more.
I flew N5600Q (just about 65 airframes later), a 1965 M20E Super 21, for about 5 years totaling about 350 hours per year, all for business. Loved that aircraft and took good care of her. Best to you Mark and enjoy the Mooney world, J Bars and all !!
Mark, enjoyed the video. I own the sister to this airplane. Mine is serial number 400. I've owned it for ten years now and have helped with every annual. Had the urge to tell you how to start the engine and share with your my experience resealing the wing fuel tanks. Love flying my mooney and I'm sure that if you get yours running you will love it too. Best of luck on the renovation, .
I’m so glad to hear that 400 is still flying. More reason to get mine back in the air. More videos are coming soon
The tanks are part of the next video. Should interest most Mooney guys
A couple tips... check, double check, and triple check for corrosion on all rivets and screws. If you find any bubbled paint or black streaked rivets, dig deeper. Corrosion is one of the biggest issues that will keep a plane out a service. Also check your AD's as they can be quite expensive to bring to airworthy condition. Keep up the good work! Don't be surprised to get in farther than you expected monetarily, and keep posting!
Alistair, thanks for the heads up. I plan on inspecting every rivet and nut and bolting the entire plane. I’m prepared to open the wallet to get this seemingly good plane back in safe flying condition. Please don’t hesitate to give opinions. The all lead to a better plane at this point. Thanks. Mark
12 years between shock disc replacement. Fuel leak looks like the fuel hose between tank and fuselage. Fuel pump for cold start 5 seconds with power and mixture in. Hot start throttle in all the way and mixture at idle cutoff. I was a Mooney pilot and mechanic for 12 years at Lake Aero Styling and Repair.
Awesome documentary of your project! Thanks!
Nice job super excited for this journey and the next video update!
Cool video and nice find! I’ve got a ‘65 E and love it. Hope you get that one all finished up and flying 🤙
Awesome find! My Dad went through a similar situation with a 1941 Ercoupe 415C, but due to a fuel fire during a test run-up, the aircraft was never finished before he sold it. The leaking from the underside makes it look like you bought an SR-71 instead of a Mooney. Good luck and like everyone I look forward to seeing how this resurrection progresses.
I’ve been driving by your plane for years on my way down to gulf shores from Pensacola. Congratulations. I was wondering what happened to it when I no longer saw the plane in the weeds.
Moved to greener pastures
The pics you showed of the wing cavities look to be in excellant condition, free of debris, with no evidence of corrosion. Restoring this aircraft is a worthwhile endeavor, and with the right A&P IA, you will both have contributed to the GA community, not to mention a fast, high flying & efficient aircraft. The steel roll cage, retractable gear, and pushrod controls make for a safe, reliable machine. Congrats!
Thanks for the input on condition. The more eyes on it the better
You are going to love owning and flying N206HT. Just be sure to get an experienced CFI that has a LOT of Mooney experience to thoroughly check you out. I worked for a Mooney dealership as a CFI for a number of years and flew both the knuckle buster mechanical-gear Mooneys and the newer ones with the electric gear. She is a different breed of cat from the 172 and takes a pilot that can stay ahead of her. The laminar flow wing is very slick and takes planning ahead to get her down down and slow down. It looks like you've found a keeper. Good luck.
Great story Inspiring
Very nice find. Steady hand for filming, too. You have a new subscriber! I’m an aviation geek since I was 4. I saw a zeppelin and paratroopers. Back home I took a plastic bag and jumped from the mailbox😂
Good for you! I have a 62C that I have put a lot of time and money into. Love these old planes
Love it. Wish you luck and your daughter did a great job.
I'm anxious to follow along on your Mooney story. The best of luck!
Great KZhead episode ... i have subscribed and would love to see more of your journey ... the Mooney sound so good ... your plane is really a cool 1968 year model and is worth getting her flying ... ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊 ...
Go for it , Thats what dreams are made of .... Well that and money !
I’m finishing a restoration on a C model that sat for 12 years. Good to see another one brought back.
Never use those tarps. They flap in the wind and scratch the screen and paint work. Put a cotton shear underneath
i am impressed by your efforts and liken it to my endeavours across the pond to my efforts to resurrect a 1962 Piper Apache 160 hp which I started two weeks ago and it is not unlike your task. Perhaps mine is worse and have yet to complete a full survey to this aircraft which was last flown 29th June 2006. But like you I am bouyed up by the encouragement of others and whilst I have cleaned the surfaces the enormity of the task has dawned on me and there is a great deal of work infront of me. But as you, I feel optimistic and hope to bring it back to flying condition. All the best I wish you luck John. UK
Gosh you've taken on an Apache that hasn't flown since 2006? That's brave! Where is it based?
John, keep going on your project! I’m finding ways to make small progress and keep motivation going. Please send some pics or share a video if you can.
I used to live up in Alnwick where I directed a British Studies programme in Alnwick Castle. I hope to be back soon. The cooler weather in the summer is wonderful compared to the stifling heat of the south
this is great let your passion continue to grow good luck and happy landings
This is incredible! If you have to put 20k into it, you're still well off! I'm subscribing and following!
That is a steal of a deal and good for you! I've never heard of a Mooney before but oy looks nice and the gold trim stripe is really vintage. Good Luck with this project it looks incredibly fun!🤠
Loved this story, really felt I was with you! That clean up surely added 20,000 dollars???
Hey man, I just ran across your video. And man that’s just such an awesome story of you and this airplane! Really inspiring. Hope you got her airborne already and either way please put out more videos! I can’t wait to see what happens.
Great job in giving this Mooney a life again
Hey Mark, great video and hope you will follow up with your progress. Excellent!! You’ll have many followers. I would love an opportunity to find a Mooney in that condition.
That landing wheel can be repaired. You basically grind off the pitted material then lay down some welding beads, then file it down to spec. There are KZhead videos showing the process.
Great video, looking forward to more. Deren from Australia 🇦🇺
Hello Mark, first, congratulations on your purchase. I was surprised when I saw the picture of you friends Mooney. I owned that airplane a few years ago. Good luck to you in brining your airplane back in service. Jack
Good luck with it. Other then sealing the tanks it looks solid. Lots of work but you seem prepared.
Keep them coming. Very interesting
Can't wait to see it running and it flying
Just thanks and congrats from an old, old pilot: USAF, Continental Airline, GA and evermore. Best, romain
Romain, thanks for watching. I hope my videos can live up to your experiences. I’m wishing I had an ounce of your expertise flying. I’ll keep working on that. More videos to follow
Looking forward to the next step!
I owned a 66 M20E, best plane I ever owned or flew. Note check the inspection plate at the tail, that holds the tail on, as the entire tail rotates for trim. The plate in an M20C I had popped most of the structural rivets off, very important to check. Join MAPA, great info. Check the AD on the aileron , can access from bottom, or should be noted in books. You have a great airplane. There are many mods, approved, for tanks, I had the tanks sealed and wer dry. Mooney does on 200hp whatBeech takes 300hp. The wing is all one piece tip to tip, but get good instruction not like a Cessna they don’t want to land, they love to fly,
Brian, thanks! I’ve joined MAPA already
Wonderful story. Good luck with your Aircraft
All the best with the revamp.
Stay Strong! Keep going. You are following a dream that many can't or are too afraid to go after. Look forward to the next part of the story!
Keep doing videos. I enjoyed it. Thanks from. Sc.
Very cool find! Man thats been my dream to find a project airplane thats worth doing. Hope to see you get her flying again. Best of luck with it. 👍👍
Awesome plane you got lucky. Cool video. Looking forward to your next videos. Fly safe and GOD bless
Looking forward to updates mate. Cheers.
Very cool plane and a smart buy. Enjoy!
I was an owner of a 1963 Mooney M20C Mark 21. It was I joy to fly and I loved every minute of flying it. Here is my opinion of your fuel tank situation. When I had my plane, it has a fuel leak in one of the tanks and I could only fill it 7/8 full. I looked at options to seal it, which I never did due to money constraints and also had to sell the plane to move on to other things in my life, and there were two options that I could find and it was to reseal the tank or to install fuel bladders. Both options I found were probably within $1,000 difference of each other and also tank sealant and bladders had about the same lifespan. If I were to continue with the plane, I would have installed bladders. Reason being was that in the event of some sort of accident and the wing were bent or damaged, the bladders had a better chance of containing the fuel if the skin was breached. This would be my recommendation as I have flown planes with bladders and they work well. Thanks for posting!
That is such a great project!!!
Years ago I owned a 1963 M20C (180) . Loved that plane and while I have aged out of flying I now look forward to watching you begin your love affair with Mooney as I once did. Enjoy it all. Stay safe enjoy and the ride. Best regards
Very nice. Will watch more. I flew a mooney back in the day. Fun aircraft, hard to land if you're used to high wing 172s. I rented and the plane went down in the gulf stream on the way to the bahamas with another pilot. I dodged a bullet.
You are so lucky Young Man, congratulations on a great purchase …… enjoy as You are very deserving !👨🏼🌾☝️✅
Congrats. Youll get it airborn..Enjoy the journey.
Hey Mark!! I’m glad you got her.. I looked at her about 8 years ago.. It’s been sitting there almost 20years or more. I had to pass based on the condition.. I was told by my A&P based on all that needed to be done, I’d be better off spend the money on something else with all i’d have to put in to it getting it flying the way I wanted with upgrades.
It has recorded flights on flight aware as recent as 2018.
@@chevyon37s But I’m sure you don’t see anything before ~2017. And I cannot see that plane flying in 2018 either.. Also, I believe the Flight aware is NOT correct. If it is, HOW did it get back to Elsanor, AL? 🤔. I’m telling you.. I Lived close to Elsanor and passed that plane on a regular basis. It had not moved.
Excellent video. I am looking forward to seeing the next one. I liked your, "can I get a "Clear Prop"
Also, alcohol is probably the best way to dry out the instruments and see which ones work. I never depend on the instruments in an airplane. I use them and want them to work, but I always have a backup for everything including my landing zones. Uh oh. Wing tanks need replaced, but they can be fully remanufactured from new aluminum at a very low cost. As an aero engineer, I rate this airframe as spectacular especially and successfully built to resist corrosion. I had to judge military aircraft construction like the F-15 and many others. None were built as well as that Mooney by a very long shot. Just send the 158-2 in to be reconditioned. Cheap and the shop will love it.