I've seen P-51Ds that were little more than scraps come back to life. Why can't this Cessna 411 be saved?

Question

http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0758664&size=L&width=1024&height=688&sok=JURER%20%20%28nvepensg_trarevp%20%3D%20%27Prffan%20401%2F402%20Hgvyvyvare%2FOhfvarffyvare%27%20BE%20nvepensg_trarevp%20%3D%20%27Prffan%20411%27%29%20NAQ%20%28ZNGPU%20%28nvepensg%2Cnveyvar%2Ccynpr%2Ccubgb_qngr%2Cpbhagel%2Cerznex%2Ccubgbtencure%2Crznvy%2Clrne%2Cert%2Cnvepensg_trarevp%2Cpa%2Cpbqr%29%20NTNVAFG%20%28%27%2B%22penfu%22%27%20VA%20OBBYRNA%20ZBQR%29%29%20%20BEQRE%20OL%20cubgb_vq%20QRFP&photo_nr=1&prev_id=&next_id=NEXTID

Wow!

Would that be $90,000 to have both overhauled?

Answer 1

ECONOMICS is the answer. There are no more P51s, so any would be worthwhile to fix up. There are several 411s that could be bought for the price of reparing this one.

Answer 2

The 411 is one of the last true pilot's airplanes. In other words, you'd better know what you're doing if you strap it on. Treat her right, fly her by the numbers and she's a great plane. Get sloppy, or if you don't have the experience, she'll turn around and bite you. Most people are afraid of the 411. There was a big media event way back when they started sensationalizing piston twin crashes after the loss of one engine. The 411 got elected to be the scape goat and foolishly, people believed what the media was putting out. They singled out the size of the rudder as the problem. Typical media, they didn't know what the hell they were talking about, but the public bought it anyway. Cessna had to follow public opinion and you see this great barn door on the back of 421s. Since I'd lost an engine a couple of times due to clogged fuel lines over the years, I knew it was bull, so did a little comparison. VMC on the 411 is 103 mph. Guess what - VMC on the 421A is 107 mph. If you don't know what to look for, you can't tell a 421A from a 411. As a result of all the ignorance, I haven't been able to buy hull coverage for my 411s (I've had two) for the last dozen years or so. That presents another problem if you have to finance the purchase. Just another example of the influence of the media and why I despise the ground they walk on. Sensationalism sells advertising. Last thing the uneducated have against the 411 is the geared engines. GTSIO-520. One more time, if you don't know what you're doing, you can hurt those engines. Treat 'em right and they'll fly to TBO and then some. Overhaul price is another problem. Costs about 45,000 to overhaul one. There you have it.

Late note: Yes, that's 90 K for both, though I can usually shop around and get the pair done for around 80.