At a recent fly-in that a popular aircraft kit manufacturer hosted, I met with a few first-time builders in the crowd and asked them what projects they were working on. More than a few responded that they were building a kit that was purchased from individuals that had started, but could not finish, the kit for one reason or another. This was a great reminder that there is quite the market for builders to pick up projects that others have decided to forgo and sell.
What a great way to get a fantastic price on a kit aircraft! And, in many cases, quite a bit of the construction may have been completed, making it an even better value. So, what are the concerns one should have regarding purchasing an unfinished project?
There are plenty of things to look out for before committing to an unknown collection of parts and pieces from another fellow builder. Of course, you should find out why the project is being abandoned (maybe time constraints, lack of interest or medical reasons). But regardless of the reason, you need to do your homework ahead of time so that you can reasonably determine if this kit makes sense for you to purchase and build. Here are a few points to consider.
Your ability to evaluate the parts and any assemblies already constructed depends on your present knowledge of that kit aircraft model. So, you must become an expert on that kit before you go looking at unfinished projects. This means do your homework with lots of reading, research and phone calls.
For example, does the kit manufacturer still support that model with parts and tech support? Will they transfer that project serial number and support to secondhand builders?
Do everything you can to obtain the assembly manual and parts list ahead of time. You can then show up knowing what should be in the kit parts-wise and be able to identify completed assemblies. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the kit manufacturer’s website to understand how the kit is packaged regarding what is an option versus what should be included as well as current prices.
Also, there are typically revisions of the aircraft kit design over time. Which version is current, and can you identify the version of the one you are looking at now? What are the important differences and can you upgrade with component swaps? Knowing these important details ahead of time can save a lot of future unhappiness.
You cannot spend too much time perusing builder forums for this kit model on the internet. Here you will find out in advance what the common issues are during construction. If there are common complaints or confusion about parts coming together, you need to know this now. With this knowledge, you can be confident in examining someone else’s work. For example, if there are many complaints about cracks in the corner of the windshield from overtightening a fastener, you can look for potential cracks in the corner before you buy this project.
Of course, it is best to have an experienced builder with you when examining partially built assemblies. They can help you determine if major components were built relatively straight and with good workmanship.
As I have mentioned in previous articles, the easiest way to achieve high confidence in another builder’s workmanship is to purchase a kit that has been designed with matched-hole construction. Because these kits have their component holes predrilled in precise matching locations, it is hard not to assemble them perfectly straight!
Finally, be sure you can get a hard-copy receipt that shows the kit manufacturer sold this kit to the person you are buying it from, along with a bill of sale for your purchase. You cannot register a finished aircraft with the FAA unless you can document the chain of ownership from the manufacturer to you. It’s kind of like buying a car without a title—it’s very messy to get that vehicle registered for plates!
You will find all sorts of pre-owned kit projects in magazines and on websites like Barnstormers.com. You have probably narrowed down your desired model choices in advance, but also be sure to do your research before responding to an ad. That way you can ask lots of qualifying questions of the seller before you invest in a long journey to visit the project. The result of your time and hard work in preparation can yield a fantastic deal on your chosen kit aircraft, making your flying dream even more affordable! Plane and Simple.
