Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

[Bubba1235]

Not much on the boob tube last night so I was channel surfing and stopped on Pawn Stars. Rick had the chance to buy a Russian (Czechoslovakia) built fighter / trainer jet (Areo L-39 Albatros) and the talking price was around $150,000. This was a fully operational air craft that their expert (An ex Blue Angels pilot) took for a spin and gave it a huge thumbs up. Rick didn't think he knew how to sell it and took a pass.

Have to say if I had the cash laying around and no other immediate use for it I think I would have jumped on it. I mean how cool would that be as I flew into the local air port? It's got to be the ultimate man toy!!!



PS: I think the show was a re-run but it was my first time seeing it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

There are tons of these for sale and its not a Russian jet.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

What does Czechoslovakia have to do with Russia?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

... the cost of Jet-A right now is probably about the same price as the bird itself.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I sort of like the show, but getting a bit too much Hollywood. I'd like to see them sell some of the stuff they make deals on...

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

bruce, i choose not to play...

edit

 

[QC]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I sense a disturbance in the force . . . A stupid one :facepalm:

So back to this flying machine made by some people somewhere. I think he was wise to pass. It was the $5K or so a month to keep her airworthy that scared him away.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

Maybe the 140 gph fuel consumption has something to do with it as well. Only costs $750/hr for the fuel to fly it!

Surprised a Blue Angel pilot would give this jet a big thumbs up. Its a fairly slow aircraft.

 

[scoyt]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I just wish they would show how much they sold the stuff for, and then everyone could see how much mark-up they put on their stuff.

 

[QC]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I am pretty sure they look for 100% markup (50% margin).

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

... the cost of Jet-A right now is probably about the same price as the bird itself.

Cheaper than 100LL at least

it's astro-freaking-nomical to maintain and fly those things... and insure. I have no idea what it costs the guy but it's probably 800-1000 bucks an hour to operate that thing, at that rate I'd be pretty PO'd if someone went up to joyride my airplane.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

Cheaper than 100LL at least

True ... I was working an air show here in TN this past week and tried to do some quick calculations on fuel costs to fly the show. Didn't get very far before the number was just staggering. I can remember when my dad could rent a 172 for $35/hr WET!

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

Is this the machine. Well worth reading.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros

Cheers
Phillip

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

True ... I was working an air show here in TN this past week and tried to do some quick calculations on fuel costs to fly the show. Didn't get very far before the number was just staggering. I can remember when my dad could rent a 172 for $35/hr WET!

That hasn't been all that long ago then, 150's were going for about $40 an hr in the late 90's, now if you can find one it's $75 +

I was low on my estimate. $15k a year for maintenance, $4.5k for insurance. And down low messing around like they were it'll suck 200 gallons of fuel an hour LOL Jet-a is $5.05 a gallon at my local airport. LOL

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

That hasn't been all that long ago then, 150's were going for about $40 an hr in the late 90's, now if you can find one it's $75 +

We were flying in the early 80's. 'Round here it's closer to $120/hr without fuel. $6.25 for LL and $5.50 for Jet-A locally here. Now ya' know why those little Diamonds are getting so popular.

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

Maybe the 140 gph fuel consumption has something to do with it as well. Only costs $750/hr for the fuel to fly it!

Surprised a Blue Angel pilot would give this jet a big thumbs up. Its a fairly slow aircraft.

All about Hollywood and money, for the right price people will say anything is good. I'm sure there is money changing hands on these "experts"

 

[Philip_G]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

We were flying in the early 80's. 'Round here it's closer to $120/hr without fuel. $6.25 for LL and $5.50 for Jet-A locally here. Now ya' know why those little Diamonds are getting so popular.

Yeah.. depending on the engine those katanas can be problematic... A big 141 program bought a whole fleet of them and found out they didn't like the cold much and dumped them in about 2 years.

around here it's still hanging around $120 for a 180hp 172, 150's are hard to find due to the altitude but the club I used to belong had a sparrowhawk conversion 150 or 152 (can't remember, really who cares?) round about $70 an hr and a warrior round about $85, just checked the website and that's still current. Surprisingly avgas has been pretty stable as mogas has been climbing. Wonder why.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I don't think they really want everyone knowing.

"Reality" TV ... yeah, riiiiiiiiiggggghhhht. I get tired of the smoke and mirrors in this supposed genre. Some shows seem better than others, but it's tough to trust any of it beyond the occasional "that was fun" factor.

 

[jgriner]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

I just wish they would show how much they sold the stuff for, and then everyone could see how much mark-up they put on their stuff.

they stated several times they like to double their money, so 100% markup, 100 dollar item they wanna sell for 200 buck.....

I would say 100% markup is fair, as they say WE ARE TAKING ALL THE RISK, WE HAVE TO RESELL IT AND YOU WALK OUT OF HERE WITH HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS..

just think how many items they buy, they overestimated how much it would sell for, or when chumlee, misses up and buys a fake guitar, and they have to pitch it

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Pawn Stars and a Russina Fighter jet.

Sort of makes me wonder if the sellers have ever heard of Craigslist or eBay.

Cash in hand on the spot when you want it. As opposed to a maybe sale who know when.