Buying a New Military Jet v Ex Military Jet Warbird
 

Purely a pie in the sky argument but curiosity got the better of me.

Below is 2 jet warbirds for sale. But what if you wanted a new build. Taiwan has a nifty little fighter/trainer. There is a 2 seat version without a classified radar or gun. The engines are civilian engines with afterburners.

Is there a clause that says "Military" hardware cannot be sold new to civilians? Would make a great airshow aircraft.

Assumption that $ are unlimited and they buyer has the technical support crew, training, facility etc etc etc that's required to operate it.

https://www.controller.com/listings/...douglas-f4h-1f

https://www.controller.com/listings/...ea-harrier-fa2

Is the name of the aircraft a joke? I like it, though.

Airworthy Harriers for sale. Art Nalls must be retiring.

There was a TV programme in the UK earlier this year where a bloke ran into a dead-end restoring an old L-39 (think it was getting hold of ejection seat cartridges) so ended up buying a new one from the factory

A sea harrier is being restored to airworthy condition in Ballarat, Vic. They’re also restoring a second harrier (T4) to ground running condition.

https://www.avtolt.com/harrier/

The single seat version will be called F-CK-ME
The twin seat version will be renamed F-CK-U2

A used Northrop F-5 would be blast. The US is more relaxed with pivate ownership which include F-16s and even a pair of SU-27s.

Must say the re engined, new avionics, completely overhauled L39s do look good!

I’d love to own a Jet Provost or Strikemaster. A man can dream.

Aero have a new generation L-39 in testing at the moment; almost seems like there would be a market for a purely civilian version without the usual military gear given how popular they are in the warbird scene. Although I guess the flipside to that is that they are very cheap to buy used. (ongoing running costs obviously a different story!) There are a couple of companies in the US that build military style two seat turboprops or jets purely for civilian ownership but they are very small volume or kitset manufacturers.

Unfortunately the expense of building new jets in incredibly higher than buying an unwanted ex-military trainer.

For me, an F104 Starfighter.:ok:

Being capable of flying it would be another matter though.:hmm:

Pinky...Read the Warbird Digest article re flying the F 104. Underpants changing stuff, a final glide from 20K ft Hows yr ticker box and blood pressure ? Be supremely exiting...and frightering. Or terrifying !!
Id go for a Jet Provost /'Bluntie' And I rather like the Canadair C115 jet trainer, as in Snowbirds team.
Sadly they busted one just recently. Pity they didnt pop out at the top of the climb

As far as the F-104 goes this must take the award for the ballsiest manouevre completed in the ballsiest aeroplane:

The early downward firing ejection seat in the 104 set a bad habit of rolling inverted then ejecting.

Like Col Pays test fly of his Spitfire

Stumbled across this link
How I Spent My Winter Vacation
500 kmph to 1000 kmph in five seconds at treetop level

Cheaper than ownership, but interesting what he says at the end.