My broker, a United Airlines pilot, was laid over in San Fransisco and looked over a 1978 152 Aerobat for sale on my behalf (2500TT, 250SMOH). He found evidence of repair for damage in 1982 (hard landing, needed new landing gear bulkhead) and 1984 (slid off runway into snowbank, needed outboard wing repair). The paint is original and in good shape, though it sat outside for the last year or two and the paint is starting to fade on top of the wings. However, he also looked inside one wing inspection hole and found small amounts of corrosion inside the wings on the skin, structure and fasteners. It is a combination of rust discoloration and also white-like powder (aluminum oxide I think). He thinks it is typical of airplanes this age and should not prevent me from buying.
I don't really agree - corrosion, even a small or surface amount inside wing structure, could be serious (particularly on an aerobatic machine). Is this some thing I should check further with an A&P and confirm it is nothing, or walk away from this airplane?
