Here's a shot in the dark... I'm Looking for a Helicopter or an Airplane

I'm looking for an airplane or helicopter that can be made into a play structure / item for my two boys.

Nothing in particular as far as make and type, sort of a I'll know it when I see it sort of thing.

The more complete the better, corporate or homemade, experimental, etc...

I'd like to have a lot of mechanical function of the flight surfaces, etc.. to foster the 'ole mechanical imagination.

In my mind I see someone having a home built or the like that they know will never fly again, but can't stand scrapping, where the idea of a new purpose is agreeable.

If it had a watertight compartment that would be fun to sit in in the rain, etc... that would be cool, sort of like a clubhouse.

I'm near Gainesville, FL but I would of course be interested in driving a good distance for the right deal.

Thanks GRM'rs!!

I wish you had asked 2 years ago. I knew where a Bell 206 carcass was. The company that was using it for a prop folded after the owner died 2 years ago.

Barnstormers.com

There's a good handful of MIGs but you gotta find a way to haul them : 

47°21'14.8"N 17°30'54.2"E

Have you tried the Atlanta Craigslist?

I'm only half kidding.

...and it's in Florida!

Oh wow, that would be the most awesome clubhouse for kids.  What a cool idea.

In reply to Hungary Bill :

"What do we do with these old MIG's?"

"eh... drag 'em down the road and park them in a field..."

"Won't the farmer object?"

"Let him object... or call the Kremlin to come get them"

Going by the title I was going to suggest flares or radar if the budget allowed.

I don't know you, but I'm officially nominating you for "dad of the year".  Oh, and the heli listed above looks perfect!  Don't ask me how I know this, but helicopter seats pop up on ebay fairly frequently. 

Well the price is a little much to handle for a playhouse but this has the gears turning:

https://barnstormers.com/classified_1354687_Westwind+Airframe.html

I kinda want to get a low wing two seater fuselage and build an Aptera out of it.

oldopelguy said:

I kinda want to get a low wing two seater fuselage and build an Aptera out of it.

LOL, had to look up Aptera.  Cool.  Kind of like a nice version of the old 'Spirit of LeMons' race plane  

Appleseed said:

Barnstormers.com

I'll check this out, thanks!

In reply to stanger_missle :

Thanks, I'll take a look...

In reply to 914Driver :

Now THATS what  I'm talking about !

We will see where this leads.. I'll register but I'll be ready to watch it go through the roof for reasons of aircraft salvage that I don't understand....

In reply to Hungary Bill :

Just down the road from you?

That would be cool, you can probably play in them as is, and they might still 'do stuff!!'. lol

dculberson said:

Well the price is a little much to handle for a playhouse but this has the gears turning:

https://barnstormers.com/classified_1354687_Westwind+Airframe.html

Gotta tell ya, 15k is too much, but I can see a 4 digit price for that... probably find that transportation is the real cost .... or at least the beer and sawsall blades... really cool. You guys are really encouraging me to find a way to pull this off. That's GRM for ya!

So...have you bought that Jet Ranger hulk, yet?

Be vary careful on barnstormers. You will find things that say, " I can afford this. " Just ask the guy here that ended up with an A-7 Corsair cockpit.

In reply to Appleseed :

I have registered, just watching the auction at this point...

Appleseed said:

So...have you bought that Jet Ranger hulk, yet?

 

Be vary careful on barnstormers. You will find things that say, " I can afford this. " Just ask the guy here that ended up with an A-7 Corsair cockpit.

This man speaks the truth.  Not barnstormers, but this started out as an ebay purchase of the "bucket" to make a cool office chair:

As a production vehicle, would it qualify as Challenge legal?

In reply to 914Driver :

It is based on a Toyota Van (the old one, not the Previa). So it's mid-engine and RWD! But it's also sloooow and cornering is .. interesting. I got to drive it around the paddock at a Lemons race with Speedy.

Isnt this the one that burned on the side of the road?  

Jeff is one weird and awesome guy!

Not sure what your budget is, but there's an F4 Phantom cockpit on Barnstormers for $15K.  Sadly, no pictures.