OK - as long as we are dreaming, how about something altruistic, $30M is more than enough for some toys AND some philanthropy. As I am obviously biased I would like to rescue some of our DC3 airframes from the elements and maybe even get one flying again. Would even like to get some of our more recent aviation heritage stored away safely for when people start to wonder why someone didn't protect such and such a plane for posterity And for something really far out there I would engage a treasure hunter with the fancy deep water side scan radar and go looking for the lost Sandringham which is somewhere off the Gold Coast broadwater. As far as toys go - I don't need to go anywhere fast but I would like to be able to get a bunch of people and gear off the beaten track to remote places and tropical islands so a Grumman Albatross would fit the bill perfectly. Ahh dreaming - at least that can still be free!
Old, Nope, I would save the 25 cent cost of the call and call the head of the Nigerian ponzi scheme. Much better chance of a rational conversation with a better chance of a return...
Cheers CB
Last edited by Cloud Basher; 26th Jul 2012 at 03:11.
DC3Qld, Along similar lines I have always had a soft spot for the Catalina. Been over in Perth for a couple of weeks and visited the RAAFA museum at Bull Creek. Had a good look at the big Cat and watched the whole DVD they have on it. Now that is a way to travel. Mind you 22 hours aloft is a loooong time. But you can carry lots of mates and kit.
Whilst I was there I also watched the Lancaster DVD. Low and behold a gentleman was there with his daughter and son. He flew Lancs in WWII. Did 12 flights in training to get his captaincy and then flew 13 missions. Well 12.5 anyway. He was on his 13th when he got shot down and spent the rest of the war as a POW courtesy of Hitler. He mentioned a number of things and we had a very nice chat. One thing that got my attention was they sync'd the props visually by looking at prop disc. He also mentioned the prop arc of no 2 and 3 engines is directly in line with pilot/co-pilot. Always worried him that a prop would let go.
At the end of the conversation I was blown away. He was a piece of living history. All I could say was "thank you for your service" and shook his hand.
They also have a beautiful original MK22 Spitfire there. Wonder if, when I win lotto tonight, they would sell it to me to restore to flying condition? I think they will be getting a phone call on Friday to ask just that!
Buy 300 acres on the NSW southern highlands and buld a Cotswold style stone mansion.
A Cessna Corvallis TTx + maybe a Mu2 Solitair.
Of course one would need your own runway. Question, how much would pabing a 900m runway cost assuming the ground is flat to begin with?
A Steinway d274 concert grand piano.
An Allen LL-Q3274-SP digital theatre organ.
A Jaguar XFR in dark silver- the most beautiful car in the world.
Panasonic 103 inch Plasma or maybe the 150 inch monster and a home theatre system to go with it. Had a look at one at Len Wallis Audio. A pair of Focal Grand Utopia speakers was $300,000, the amp that drove them (Krell) was 60 grand.
A hangar full of vintage toys? Tiger Moths, Winjeels, CT-4s, DC-3 a Yak/Chang or two, maybe a YMF-5 for couples, a Rapide for groups, an S-2C for thrills and an L-39 for heathens. Hell if we're dreaming; how about some two seat P-40s and Mustangs?
Invest the rest wisely (you know, some QF shares ) and operate an air-experience centre not for profit to spread the love.
Lancair Evolution turbine for long distance family holidays to the lake house. Glasair Sportsman 2+2 for camping, Something fast & light aero capable for weekend fun. Possibly Glasair3 or RV14?
damn...I even did a uni degree on maths but still stupidly bought a ticket tonight because of this thread. Will either be the best or worst $20 I spent
P.S. You're not actually buying a chance to win. It's the 8 hours of 'what if' dreaming that you're paying for.
I would find a good surgeon and ask him to cut me open and fix my back so I could get my medical back and then all the licences and ratings.
You never know how much you miss it until it is taken away from you. Just one more flight as PIC, preferably in a multi in IMC with no autopilot (and none of that sissy magenta line rubbish either).
Then get something with easy access and join Angel Flight.
Well, I must be spoiled - bit like HHin post above. Just need enough spare time to exercise my RV more than currently.
Sure there are so many great machines out there, but if I really want to dream a little - a really good C185 with all the gear, with which I'd continue to train pilots in the real art and skills of flying real taildraggers. Just need a few real hills and undersized strips to go with the package!
I would find a good surgeon and ask him to cut me open and fix my back so I could get my medical back and then all the licences and ratings.
Fair call. I remember when U2 guitarist The Edge's daughter got sick, and he said that he had all the money in the world and would give every Euro up to have her well again. Good luck, there's a miracle cure every week in these wonderous times; may the next one be yours.
Location: Live in Hamilton, Waikato, work in the big smoke, New Zealand
Posts: 518
Quote:
That will allow one to enjoy the fruits of life and pass it down a few generations as well
HELL NO! My kids 'aint seeing any of my $$$, I'm doing my best to spend them all myself!! Mind you $30M might be a bit of a stretch!!
The investment idea may be a winner though... for $30M you could probably buy Spain and get Greece thrown in for free!! Not such a prudent investment in this day and age though
As for aircraft, my wishlist is a follows... Edge 540T or SBach for eye popping fun
Only one plane? I couldn't pick just one plane! I'd find a nice council owned airport somewhere in rural NSW (Moruya would be ideal), buy that, build a mega house/hangar on it for myself, build other hangars and foster a truly GA friendly atmosphere to encourage GA companies and pilots to use the airport. I'd do this by keeping lease costs to a minimum and providing proper, modern facilities for all aerodrome users and keeping the local community aerodrome/aviation friendly. There might even be a few airside cabins/houses available for short term lease/holiday rentals. Then I'd buy something like a PC 12 for getting around locally, a nice Lear 45 for getting around Oceania/SE Asia and just fly first class if I wanted to go abroad (obviously flying the PC12 or Lear to the airport!). There would also be a few fun planes, maybe a Stearman and a Skybolt, plus whatever caught my eye. There would definitely be some sort of warbird in there and a Catalina restoration would be a great way to waste some money. Would any of that be profitable? Probably not, but if I had $30million to waste, I'd have fun doing it and god knows, GA needs a shot in the arm from someone.
) and operate an air-experience centre not for profit to spread the love.
