bone yards

you can legally buy jet engines and the like but like somebody else said no weapons systems

Rob Gronovius

CN Spots

I would looooove to spend a day walking around one of those!

Question: Can the average guy buy parts off of military aircraft or do you need some kind of a license?

Some parts are controlled and could be used to make airplanes in the hands of enemies operational again. I seem to recall that there was someone buying scrap parts off of some old airplanes in order to export them to Iran to help get some of their fleet operational.

That's exactly why the vast majority of the USN's retired F-14's were put through the shredder. To prevent parts from finding their way to Iran. 

Getting back to the question of Commie warbirds, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, in the early 90s those countries were cash strapped and selling off their old military hardware for cheap. They de mil'd early Migs and sold them with spares to keep them flying to wealthy folks in the west. It was an easy way for them to earn cash.  

I've noticed most of those guys aren't very friendly at those conventions. Been to several.

One time, I didn't realize it, but George Taki was standing right  next to me at one as the MC was introducing him. Little fellow.

Sorry, don't intend to hijack the thread.

I met "Worf" at a Star Trek convention and knew he had a Mig - wasn't the most friendly fellow when I attempted to ask him questions about it.  Be curious to know what that required to obtain, demil and maintain

Some people like Michel Dorn (Worf) owns and flies a MiG 15, or at least he did. Where do people like him get parts for a non US aircraft?

And occasionally some are refurbished and sold off to friendly foreign air forces. 50 years ago, lots of AD/A-1 Skyraiders retired from the USN/USMC and in storage there were refurbished and went to the USAF & VNAF to fly and fight again in SEA.

smg.photobucket.com/.../Davis%20Monthan

CN Spots

I would looooove to spend a day walking around one of those!

Question: Can the average guy buy parts off of military aircraft or do you need some kind of a license?

Some parts are controlled and could be used to make airplanes in the hands of enemies operational again. I seem to recall that there was someone buying scrap parts off of some old airplanes in order to export them to Iran to help get some of their fleet operational.

That is a convenient place to turn them over to scrap dealers.

They are there because it's almost perfect climate for parking planes outdoors.

Some strategic a/c are parked there to be visibly destroyed & verified by satellite, SALT & all that.

Others as Reserve a/c, drones, spares, etc...

Some civilian a/c are flown there to be scrapped for re-usable parts, & yea, wouldn't I like a day out there!

No ordnance

- That last post just got me added to one of those gubment lists didn't it?

I would looooove to spend a day walking around one of those!

Question: Can the average guy buy parts off of military aircraft or do you need some kind of a license?

You may remember that those things were popular playground structures 50 years ago.

Each plane is its own little hazmat site.

Lots of parts on those things. And they then go to the scrappers.

Some are turned into drones and used for target practice.  Some are similar to a ready reserve.  Others are stripped for parts.