Just in case I get filthy rich one of these days... (hey I can always wish), and I find myself finally having the money to buy myself a MiG-15 and/or a P-47 (with invasion stripes of course) what are all the legal stuff on doing this.

First of all is it legal to own a warbird?

Do you have to get some type of special approval, or some way to get the gov to know you won't buy ammo for this thing?

Who can buy a warbird, do I have to be in the airforce and/or own a museum to buy one?

Is there any chance I will find someone to buy it from maybe a museum or something?

Will I have to get a special licence/training to fly one?

Thanks in advance.Im always curious about stuff like that. If I ever do buy one, I'll make shure to post some pictures.

thanks for the response good Idea, I've always wanted to have my own aircraft company, I could rebuild and make aircraft.. first things first I got to finish my high school, and play the lottery !

hmm the MiG-17 sounds nice, I'll take it!

Some companies specialise in warbird restoration. In some cases these are complete rebuilds, virtually brand-new aircraft. The late Charles Church once told me if I could find a genuine Spitfire ident plate he could build me a Spitfire to attach it to. Of course, I would also have to part with lots of cash to make it worth his while.

If you have enough money you could buy a warbird, jump straight in it & fly it (or try to). This would obviously not be a good idea unless you were already familiar with the type. Many companies specialise in conversion training. Check out the Aircraft Restoration Company. http://www.arc-duxford.co.uk/
This is owned & run by the well-known restorer & display pilot John Romain. When the Spitfire Tr.9 trainer is ready he will be able to offer proper conversion courses on the Spitfire. Most owners of these warbirds are not only wealthy but also experienced pilots. I know some who own more than one. They like to display them & have display licences themselves.

PS. As the regulations stand, privately owned jets with afterburners are not allowed to fly in the UK. This is the reason for a beautiful MiG 21 being tucked away in a shed at Coventry Airport instead of part of the UK warbird display scene.

I would love to rebuild them and fly them at airshows... good stuff.

Just out of curiosity, how did you begin to build/rebuild Ac.
Did you start with a family bussiness, find a job at a restoration plant, or get some special training?

Im going to get a degree in aerospace Engineering, but any pointers on how to get started with this type of work?

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There must be a few thousand Trabant engines around in Germany from which you can cobble out a complete engine...

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Or a hamster wheel...  

Charlie

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Sounds dodgy to me. Think I'd go for the microlight.

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I started out as a "hangar rat" only I was called the "oily rag" in my day. Did everything from clean the aircraft, strap pupils in (nice job when the pupil was a young female) swing the props - to lighting the fire in the clubhouse & cleaning out the bog. You can't buy that sort of experience. Look at me now, a legend in my own lunchtime. 8)

Seriously, Charlie is right. A degree might be useful (in fact it seems you can't do much without one these days ) but it's often a matter of who you know combined with a little luck.

I'll be getting the degree to be able to work hopefully at an aircraft company (theres a lot of big ones here in sothern California), or maybe even work at the Jet Propultion lab thats part of Cal-tech, but I would like to eventually work on a warbird as a side project and hopefully make it bigger.

There's a big restoration place called Planes of fame, "near" but its about a 1-2 hour drive from my house and still havent gone there, Its on my to do list.

Ive still got a while till I get to collage, but thanks for the heads up.

oh and 15-30 years from now if you see an idiot flying a Thunderbolt with a monkey suit in an airshow make shure to flick me off!

On the subject of warbirds apparently the BBMF Spit V nose over on landing at Coningsby the other day (26th Sep, burst tyre was suspected)....

Charlie

VW air-cooled 1800cc modified for aviation use. Good strong engine putting out a comfortable amount of HP, and easy for parts

Have you ever seen WD40 and a lighter? Well with welding kit the fireball should be quite impressive

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my friend tried it with a pvc pipe and some glue spray... I highly doubt he'll try that one again , but with a welding kit.. hope you have good life insurance

Boy!  You had me scared there for a minute!