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I have a friend with a 250 Comanche that needs some work. It has been idle for 9 years or so hangared since 1988. 2200 hours air frame, Engine has about 200 hours on it. Fuel tanks need work, prop is off and it is still in the wrappings of being rebuilt. 1000 mile range. A&P owned. Pictures can be seen here. No price as he does not know what it is worth at the moment. steam gauges as can be seen by the pictures.

http://forums.aopa.org/showthread.php?p=1758223#post1758223

Plane is located in Hammond, LA (KHDC)

Gene,

Depending on the year, price range is $37,000-$45,000 in the Bluebook. That assumes airworthy, in good condition, mid-time engine and decent radios.

Engine overhaul prices shows as $28,000 - probably needed, along with prop overhaul as sitting idle is the worst enemy of an airplane, especially in the humid environment of Louisiana. Pulling and replacing four fuel tanks isn't going to be cheap.

Comanche is a good airplane, IMHO, and the 250 version is a nice mix of power and economy (although, wouldn't you love to fly a 400 just once?).

Hope it can find someone to give it a little TLC.

Warmest regards,
Rick

Not me. I got all I can handle with the 150.

I plan on working with the owner on the Comanche so I'll have the inside track on condition and inspections.

The 250 hp. Comanche is the one you want. The 180 was underpowered, and while the 400 would be hoot... but the gas bill.

The link is to the AOPA site so I'm gonna post a few pictures here. Who knows, someone may be interested. The plane looks pretty nice and I am sure all the missing radios and what not are in the owners possession. It has potential providing the engine checks out which given the environment.... may be OK and just need a little TLC.

I just think it is a hella cool plane. It was well taken care of and hangered since 1988. Yes the stuff is dated. Personally I'm learning a bit about airplanes and I'm not as skeered of engines as I once was.

I was thinking one could get this plane in the teens as far as dollars go, get it flyable and fix it up as you go. I gotta admit, I am tempted but I won't buy it. I am taking the owner up in Delmar on Monday he hasn't been flying in a while. The original owner of the plane passed away. Both of these guysare priests and both A&P mech believe it or not, electrical engineers and all sorts of degrees. LOL Oh well.... if this works for someone good if not... so be it. I don't think this plane will be advertised anyplace and I really think some local will end up with it.

Take Care !!

I too would love to fly a 400 Comanche, just once!

400 ??? Like in Horsepower ??? Yikes No thanks.

Like....YES.


More you ask???? Try 8 cylinders & 720 cubic inches to boot.


Would be a hoot to fly one but, as one would expect, they do fall on the thirsty side of the equation.



Jim

Gene,

An acquaintance has a Comanche 400. He, and others I've spoken who have flown them, love them.

The airplane was developed because Pug Piper was of the opinion that turbocharging would never work for a general aviation airplane, so the only answer was to start with a huge engine and the airplane could fly high and fast.

Initially, the engine had some starting issues and other niggling problems. Plus, turbocharging worked, so there were not a lot of 400s built. The problems got ironed out, so now they are machines that keep their value - but they do go through fuel.

Warmest regards,
Rick

No wonder I never heard of the plane. I always thought you needed a twin to go fast. LOL