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Year: |
1976 |
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Type: |
WARBIRDS CT4 |
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Registration: |
7083Y |
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Airframe Total Time: |
4200 Hours |
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Engine/HP: |
210 HP |
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Engine Times: |
1450 SMOH IO-360 |
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Prop Times: |
1450 SPOH |
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| ONLY 1 REGISTERED in US. Ex-Australian Air Force. 1976 CT4, IO-360, inv. fuel, elect gyros, C/S prop. Very aerobatic, roll cage, +6-3 g, etc. See more description and narrative in Specs. SRQ Florida. Don, (941) 704-6789 or (941) 755-3158. |
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King KX-165A
Collins Intercom LS 460
Collins VHF VF 20A
Collins ADF KDF 805
Remote Gyro Compass
Mode C Transponder
Dual flight instruments |
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Specs from memory, buyer can review logs for exact details
This aircraft was originally a CT-4B and was one of fourteen military versions (C/N 064 through C/N 077) surreptitiously destined for Rhodesia. At that time, there was an embargo against Rhodesia. When the true destination was discovered, they were warehoused and moth balled until 1981or 1982 when these fourteen aircraft were then converted back to CT4-A standard and delivered to the Royal Australian Air force. Though 1976 models, these aircraft have 6 to 7 less years less use on their history, and less hours than most all of the fleet of their era. The same aircraft is still being manufactured today by PAC Aircraft in NZ http://www.aerospace.co.nz/ with the larger 540 engine at a price tag of a little over $450,000.
You will find the CT4 to be extremely agile and far superior to the Scottish/ British air trainer, the Bull Dog, of the same era. Though they are both primary trainers, the CT4 is much more rugged, has a higher roll rate and exhibits handling qualities more akin to a competition plane than a trainer and the 6 cyl engine is a smoother power plant than that
of the 4 cyl Bull Dog. Those who have flown them both agree there is no comparison.
I owned a Marchetti SF260 for years, and though the CT4 is not as clean and fast, (it cruises at about 130 kts) I found the handling to be
of similar nature, and the construction to be rugged and reliable. I particularly like the rear hinged canopy as opposed to the sliding canopy. Head clearance is designed for military helmet use so there is plenty of clearance above my 62 body. The integral roll cage
is a comforting feature as well.
This aircraft is built to withstand the rigors of Australian Military training. With its I0-360, 210 hp Continental engine, it is smooth running and powerful. It climbs near an impressive 1,500 feet per min with one person and half fuel and only slightly less with two people and full fuel. Though at our age my wife and I do mostly basic roles and loops, most all of the standard aerobatic maneuvers are made extremely easy by the CT4. Hammer heads, tail slides, figure eights, immelmans, loops, roles, snaps etc. are all child’s’ play for this plane.
It is equipped with a remote flux compass system so you virtually never have to set the compass, even after aerobatics. The KX-165A com is one of the finest. Backup com is supplied by the original Collins. It also has Collins intercom and Collins ADF. Nav is supplied by an (optional) Garmin 295 and I have military helmets, with communications, (optional) to go with the plane if you wish
Both pilot and co-pilot have a full set of controls including electric rudder trim, elevator trim (hat on the stick) throttle, mixture and prop on dual quadrants.
Though not as fast as some of the plastic planes of today, it is an extremely sturdy platform for cruise or play. With 5 point harnesses, built in role cage and relatively low stall speed, it is probably safer than the majority of airplanes with its capabilities.
I am writing this without being near the logs at the time but I believe total hours air frame are around 4000. The Australian military replaced the engine via Continental factory. By the way, the engine does have the new VAR crank.
A few years ago the Australian Air Force bought some new CT4 aircraft with the 540 engine and sold a run of serial numbers with the IO-360 including this one. Three of them were sold to an airplane enthusiast here in the US. Two are still in containers where they will probably remain for another year or so as the owner is quite busy with Huey helicopters and a number of other aircraft for the time being. There are a few more available in Australia and NZ but by the time you purchase them, import them, and certify them, you will have over $100,000 invested, lots of man hours and probably a higher time airplane.
My wife and I have had a blast with this airplane. Everywhere we go, we enjoy spending time with amazed aviation enthusiast who look and ask about this beautiful machine. Occasionally, we run across someone from that area of the world or someone who has seen the airplane on the internet but mostly we get the what is it question. Often, we wear the military jump suit and helmet and have so much fun with it, especially with the Kangaroo insignia on the original Australian Air Force paint scheme I cant count the number of times we have been asked isnt it a long flight all the way from Australia? We never mastered the accent though so we have to admit we didnt fly it here.
Though the engine is near TBO, Continental as you probably know is extremely conservative on its TBO estimates. Oil burn is still very much within normal range, compression is good and power generated is still very normal. I would expect the engine to be extremely safe to use for another 500 hours or more, which puts it more in the TBO used by Lycoming which sells an even cheaper engine.
The Airplane has lived in my hanger since I have owned it and has had oil changes about every 30 hours. I have had virtually no problems or squawks. I had the gyros, both slave and remote, rebuilt because of just a little sluggishness and they should be good to go for another couple thousand hours. I replaced the alternator about 175 hours ago.
My reason for selling the airplane is absolutely not any dissatisfaction on my part. I genuinely love the airplane. But my wife and I are about to retire and need an airplane more suited to making the long trip to central Mexico. Of course it still has to be acrobatically inclined so we know thats going to be a chore to find. In any case, as heart string pulling as its going to be, this one is for sale (or perhaps some sort of trade)
I am offering this plane for sale at $79,900 as is or $99,900 with a fresh engine. I would suggest the lower amount because the engine is absolutely not tired. Warning, if you own this airplane you will become addicted to both its handling and low maintenance, and, the flying publics admiration and awe everywhere you go.
SRQ Florida |
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| Dual throttle/Prop/Mixture quadrants |
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