THREE ORIGINAL PROWLER KITS FOR SALE

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Bryan and I would like to kick-off the new year of 2015 with three (now 2) original Prowler Aviation kits that we have available to purchase!

If you are interested in any of the aircraft kits below, please send me an email at the feedback link on our Prowler Aviation website:  Feedback.

Over the past several years, while working with current Prowler owners, Prowler builders and Prowler enthusiasts, we have come to acquire these Prowler kits that we now have available to offer for sale. Two kits are original production run kits, and one is a “mixed parts” kit.

First, here is a little history on original Prowler Aviation kits. None of the original Prowler kits were ever actually shipped as “complete” kits. Because of the way things transpired with the original Prowler Aviation, most of the original 15 kits that were ordered got shipped as partial kits (basically they shipped with as many parts as George could make from the initial 50% kit deposit that he received from the original customers). In order to get the remainder of the needed parts, the owners of the original 15 kits had to make arrangements with George to purchase them (effectively pay the other 50% of the cost of the kit).

Well, the current owners (that have built a flying Prowler from one of George's original kits) did this. They paid George to make the remainder of their parts. Others chose not to pay the other 50% of the kit cost and those kits remained as incomplete kits. Some original kit owners paid for some outstanding parts to be made, but not all of them. This left quite a range of “completeness” in what is currently available out there for second hand Prowler kits.

A lot of these kits ended up in long term storage and were never built. As a result, the individual parts may come with typical dust, scuffs and other evidence of their age and experience (up to and including a few parts with slight surface corrosion, but nothing that would affect structural integrity). I will be able to fabricate any parts (firewall aft) that are found that the builder would prefer to replace – if needed.

In any event, these kits should be considered to be “NOS” kits (kits from New Old Stock – to borrow the phrase from automotive restorers and builders). While the majority of the parts of these kits are original production run parts, there are a few newly manufactured components (all made from the original tooling) to help make the kit more “complete.”

A complete kit would be considered a kit that has all the parts that are listed in the most complete “parts list” that I have been able to put together (from several original Prowler Aviation documents). That list will be provided with the kit. These original kits DO NOT include readily available, common aircraft components like; wheels, brakes, hinges, servos, etc. Also, none of the systems (electrical, hydraulic, fuel) components are included in the kits, such as: pumps, valves, switches, wiring, gauges, etc. (None of the original kits had any of these either.  But, some kits may have some of these items that the original owner added).

Since it will be probably be several (many?) years yet before the “new” Prowler Aviation is ready to produce aircraft kits, these reassembled second hand original Prowler kits are becoming scarce and more desirable. Building a Prowler aircraft is a complex task.  While building a Prowler kit will be much easier if you have developed some metal aircraft building skills prior to commencing your project, there have also been several novice builders (starting out) who have completed beautiful aircraft.  There is an awesome network of Prowler builders who are happy to help you complete your kit.  We also have a Yahoo! Group to help network with other builders (ProwlerBuildersGroup).

Kit prices vary based on completeness and condition. Price does not include shipping. We will be happy to help coordinate shipping, or coordinate local pick-up, depending on the desires of the buyer/builder.


Kit #4 - $42,500
(Located near Memphis, TN)

This kit is currently comprised of (approx.) a 95% complete original kit (firewall aft and firewall forward). It includes the George Morse engine (with the accessories gear drive and PSRU) and engine mount with engine cowlings, etc. The full inventory is not yet complete, but eventually this will be made into a complete kit (to the original master parts list).

The original builder has prepped some metals and pre-assembled the elevator and some other sub-kits of the aircraft. It also has a spar that was pre-assembled by the original Prowler Aviation.

As a useful price comparison, a Prowler can be (roughly) compared to a Van RV-8 kit and George's FWF package is most nearly comparable to the AutoPSRU's BW350 FWF package.  Here are the links to each website with the cost:

Van's RV-8 (non-quick build)..............$23K

BW350 FWF package..........................$31K
 Total                                                 $54K

Of course, this is just a ballpark comparison since the RV-8 has a straight wing and fixed gear; and the BW350 package is a slightly more powerful package than George's design.  All-in-all, you can still see that the price of this kit is clearly set to make this an excellent value.
So, if you are looking for a near totally complete Prowler aircraft kit – this is the kit for you! 

If you are interested in this kit, please send me an email at the feedback link on our Prowler Aviation website:  Feedback.


Kit # 6 - $OLD !
(Located near Memphis, TN)

This is a full master parts list (100% complete) kit (firewall aft). The main spar (center section and outboard sections) have been pre-assembled by the original Prowler Aviation (George offered this as an option to the original kit customers).

It also has some pop-riveted pre-assembled flight controls (this was the way that George shipped the vertical spar, horizontal stabilizer, rudder, etc.).

This kit also comes with an industrial quality wing jig as was specified in the original Prowler assembly manual.

The kit condition has been meticulously documented and a full picture spread and packing list of all components are available for review.  Here are a few:

It is currently crated and ready for shipment.

Again, the cost of this Prowler kit can be (roughly) compared to the cost of a Van RV-8 kit:

Van's RV-8 (non-quick build)..............$23K



A closer comparison might be an F1 Rocket kit - but they are not currently for sale (new).

If you are interested in this kit, please send me an email at the feedback link on our Prowler Aviation website:  Feedback.


Kit # 18- $ (Superceeded)
(Located near Redding, CA)

This kit listing has been updated with new information.  

Please see the new listing here:

 http://prowleraviation.blogspot.com/2016/06/prowler-kit-18-available-and-for-sale.html

This kit is a “special” kit. It is comprised of parts that I have gathered from a variety of sources and it is currently, literally, inhabiting my shop office! 

Some parts were from an original kit, some came from a Prowler enthusiast (who made several of the parts himself), some parts came from left-over inventory that I got from George, and several of the parts I fabricated this past summer (while making parts for Kit #6 above). It is currently (approximately) a 95% complete kit (firewall aft). This kit also includes a used wing jig – an important fixture for holding the entire project during the initial stages of the build.

So, as you can see, this kit is a bit of a “Franken-Kit” - for lack of a better term. But, all of the parts in this kit are perfectly serviceable and they will make a solid, flyable aircraft in the hands of any capable builder. Because I found these parts over time and from different sources, I was able to obtain these parts at a fairly low cost.  That is why I can make this a very affordable Prowler kit to purchase.

I am continually finding (or making) more parts for this kit. As I continue to add more parts to the kit, the price goes up accordingly. The remaining parts of this kit that need fabrication includes:
     1. Steel parts (sub-assemblies) of several sub-kits (fuselage, aft empennage & tailwheel);
     2. Engine nacelle parts (formers and skins between firewall and prop spinner).
     3. Cockpit floor and rudder pedals.

Here are some photos of several of the sub-kits of the aircraft.  The center and outboard wing main spars:

 Here are the vertical stab & horizontal stab:

 Aft spar parts on right, aileron parts in the box on the left:

 Center wing leading edge skins on left, rudder skin in cardboard in back, elevator skins on back right, center main spar parts in small box in front, MLG torque box parts in tall box on front right, elevator parts in center box and rudder parts in boxes in back left box:

Outboard wing nose ribs, and mid ribs:

 Main Landing Gear on the right side, cockpit framing parts in box on the left side:

Fuselage parts in boxes and bags on left side, fuselage bulkhead formers in aft right boxes, luggage compartment parts in front large box, cockpit framing parts in small white box in front and MLG on far right:

Firewall parts:

Center wing framing parts in box on left and flap parts in box on right:

Here are some things to keep in mind as you consider purchasing this kit:

- I can fabricate all of the outstanding parts of this kit, and I will do it at a reasonable cost. Some of the outstanding parts (skins in particular) can be purchased by the builder directly from any vendor. I will have these parts specially denoted in the outstanding parts list (provided on request).
- I will fully support the builder of this kit just as I have been doing for all of the current Prowler builders for the past 5+ years. I will be happy to put any prospective buyer in contact with any/all of the current owners/builders so that you may inquire about the quality of my support.
- The outstanding (not yet included) parts of this kit are generally in sub-kits of the aircraft that are assembled later in the build. You will be able to begin on this kit and work on it for at least a year before you will need any of the outstanding parts. So, this cost can be deferred for some period of time.
- I will provide a list of the outstanding parts that are still needed for this kit to the prospective buyer (upon request).
-   I estimate the cost of the remaining kit parts to be less than $1000. That cost is just for the remainder of the firewall aft kit parts.  This does not include the many additional items that will be required to build a flyable aircraft like; vendor supplied hardware (nuts, bolts, rivets, fittings, hoses, etc.), systems components (hydraulic pump, servos, switches, battery, wire, accumulator, brakes, wheels, etc.), avionics, FWF (engine, engine components, prop, prop hub, etc.).  I can supply a partial list of vendor supplied items that will be required to assemble the aircraft.  But, a complete list would be dependent on your preferences for outfitting the aircraft.
-  The cost of materials for the wing jig alone (if built new from scratch) is $600-$800, and this item was not provided for any original kit builders.  They had to purchase these materials separately and build the wing jig before starting the main wing assembly (Several other sub-kits can be completed first).
-  Even with the remaining costs outstanding parts of this kit, the total cost of the kit (approx. $14.5K) will end up being only slightly more than 1/2 the cost of a comparable RV-8 kit ($23K).

Because of the low acquisition cost of these parts, and taking into consideration the pedigree of this kit, the price is set to make this a GREAT value. So, if you want to get into a Prowler project at a very reasonable cost – it does not get any better than this! 

Heck, if I wasn't so focused on trying to rebuild this kit aircraft manufacturing company, I'd just keep this kit and build it myself.  But, if I did that, I'd end up spending all my time and money to get one airplane going and I wouldn't get Prowler Aviation back into production (and produce many airplane kits-hopefully).

Really!  Buy this kit!  It's a great kit, it's an excellent price, and I need to get it out of my office!

If you are interested in this kit, or any of the kits mentioned above, lease email me to discuss your opportunities and options  Please use our feedback link on our Prowler Aviation website:  Feedback.