Junk Yard Treasure 

By Bernie Willis 

Have you ever seen a Ford model K, or perhaps an R or S?  Neither had I until visiting a museum inVirginia. What do you know about a Cessna 165, a Bull Stearman or a Swallow?  These cars and airplanes have one thing in common, they’re antiques. They are old and basically useless except to show the progress of technology. 

They’re people who have meant a lot over the years. One of them for me is Dennis Bedford from Juneau. When I flew there often he was the one who when on duty, got broken things fixed. We were texting awhile back and he posed an interesting question. “Why do we celebrate old Bellancas and Stinsons in our aviation museums when the Cessna 207 has done so much more to develop Alaska?” 

I’ve been thinking about that and am guilty. Perhaps the answer is how we define “old.” 

Can we define an antique and a classic? To me an antique is a thing made by man that has passed its time of usefulness because of refinements, new technology or our changes in need. Take a typewriter for instance. On the other hand a classic is another man made thing that is still useful, perhaps worn around the edges but repairable or update-able and nearly as good today as it was when new. And most importantly, nothing new is really much better. Whether cars or aircraft those destined to become classics were built in great numbers because they fit a market well. It is those numbers that keep them classic 

I think the Cessna 207 hasn’t made it to the museum yet because its a classic. Its basically a 1960 Cessna 172 with a larger cabin and engine. The concept is the same. 

There have been many high performance, low wing, retractable single engine aircraft built in the 60’s through this year but the performance of the 1947 Bonanza is still hard to beat. That’s the reason is has the longest production history of any model light plane. The most copied aircraft today is the Piper Super Cub. Its a design from the 1930’s. I can name five companies that are building “clones,” besides the E-AB cub types. Is there a more versatile aircraft for Alaska than a C-180 or 185. Its really an updated version of a C-120 that came out right after WWII. All of these and several more aircraft fit the definition of “classic.” 

Each of these wonderful aircraft will become antiques when we can no longer maintain them. I hate to see airplanes wrecked but each one is a treasure for spare parts for those more fortunate. Some parts can be custom made at considerable expense but finding a good used part is much more economical. Alaskan Cessna owners are especially fortunate to have Sutton Air Salvage in our midst. I can count five retail aircraft parts stores within a hour of my home that keep my classics airworthy. After the orders pile up the major manufacturers will sometimes bring out the old tools and make a run of previous unobtainable parts. Classics are great because of what they can do and how we can keep them going even from a junk yard. 

Is there anything new that compares? Now at the end of 2024 the aircraft used prices seem to be softening a little so you can buy a wonderful C-182 for 100 to 200K or a brand new one for 800K. C-185’s are a bit pricey because they’re out of production and still in demand for a very narrow market but still under 300K. At the other end of the market are Champs for 28K with new fabric and a low time engine. Though built in 1946 its still airworthy, flown regularly and maintained. I bought a tail spring for one at last summer at the salvage store. 

I’m so happy to have a Junk Yard Treasure or two?