Raytheon Aircraft buying back Starships
Self Loathing Froggy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: elsewhere
Age: 18
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Raytheon Aircraft buying back Starships
Not sure if it is the right forum, so Mods, feel free to move
I just read in the august edition of Aerokurier that Raytheon is buying back the Beech Starships from their original owners, in order to have them scrapped (actually burnt down).
As far as I understood, this is because of rocketting spare part prices.
Out of the 53 Starships built, 43 have been bought back. Museums have made requests to get some, but no decision has been made yet wether any aircraft could escape destruction.
Has anyone got more news on that ?
I just read in the august edition of Aerokurier that Raytheon is buying back the Beech Starships from their original owners, in order to have them scrapped (actually burnt down).
As far as I understood, this is because of rocketting spare part prices.
Out of the 53 Starships built, 43 have been bought back. Museums have made requests to get some, but no decision has been made yet wether any aircraft could escape destruction.
Has anyone got more news on that ?
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Good From Far, Far From Good
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have read somewhere that two of the planes actualy owned by ratheon will be donated to Burt Rutan, who had a lot to do with their design.
I think he will use them in his design bureau.
I think he will use them in his design bureau.
Before "Ze Germans" get here
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: ?
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Or maybe it was because they wanted to protect their company image an residual Values. What I mean by that is the second hand prices were very low I heard they were selling for only a couple of Hundred thousand USD. Not exactly pocket money I know but it is for an Airplane. As the right honourable gentleman pointed out the spare parts prices were frightening. I heard a set of brake pads cost about $8K USD as they were handmade. Its a shame though as it was/is such a unique Aircraft and was a bold step forward, I hope it doesnt put other manufacturers off in the future?
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Near LOACH intersection
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually none have been bought back. The 40 some odd that were relocated to Arizona and being dismantled/burned are owned outright by Beech and were being leased by operators. The few that are owned by individuals are still being negotiated for buyback.
Self Loathing Froggy
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: elsewhere
Age: 18
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Skagness on the beach
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They are buying them back because they are afraid of them. The composite was not holding together as well as planned. Thats the tough part of being the first to market with a entirely new concept. You can't see the bumps until they get you.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Near LOACH intersection
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very interesting 747Focal, I have been following this closely for some time, and this is the first I heard of this. Do you have any verifiable sources of info/data relating to the composite issues?