Bolkow MFI-9HB and Corvair- sold to good home – 12/1/16

UPDATE: This has been sold to a very good home in the Corvair movement. I was very pleased to hear this news. Roger would like to thank everyone who showed an interest in his project and his story as an original EAA member. When we get progress pictures from the new builders, we will be glad to share them. Thanks-ww.

Builders,

Below is a unique project for sale, offered by Roger White, a fellow Corvair builder who is also an EAA legend, with a two digit EAA number.  If you are interested, or know someone who is, Roger’s number is listed below.  Anyone who  buys the engine (a Weseman 5th bearing equipped 2700 with older black series systems) or the airframe or both, who deals with Roger fairly and with great respect, can count on my support with the engine. Roger is a warm and friendly guy and an experienced aircraft builder. He is a pleasure to speak with, and at 89 years old, he is an American from a different era, when people had simple decency as a common trait.

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The plane is a 90% complete Bolkow Junior, a two seat, side by side all metal professionally designed aircraft . More than 200 of them were built in Europe, but the design originated as a homebuilt in the US, designed by a Convair engineer. It is not a difficult plane to fly. It is not specifically listed as an LSA aircraft, but the builder of record, it could be listed as such. Although it is almost done, there will not be an issue getting it registered as 51% amateur built. The FAA just wants to know that 51% of the plane was built by amateurs, it doesn’t require the last builder to do 51% of the work.   The design has a long history, including being used as a highly successful attack aircraft in the Nigerian civil war. Flown by European mercenaries on behalf of the starving population of Biafra, it was used to destroy most of the Soviet supplied Nigerian Air force MiGs with rocket attacks.  Read more here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malm%C3%B6_MFI-9

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The plane is located near Tulsa OK.  Roger is Asking $4000 for the engine, and another $4000 for the airframe. He is willing to offer a slight discount to a builder who would like to buy both. It is not a difficult project to transport. I have not seen it in person, but highly skilled Corvair/Piet builder Mark Chouinard has, and reports of impressive workmanship. If you wish to contact Roger, feel free to mention reading of his plane here. I have absolutely no angle on it’s sale, but it will tell roger that you have read and understood the notes shared here.

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It should go without saying, but I will make this crystal clear: Roger has hundreds of friends and admirers in experimental aviation.  If I hear the slightest report of anyone with a lowball offer, failing to treat Roger with the utmost respect, or failing to have a square deal with him, I will regard it as my duty to inform Rogers friends as to the identity of that individual. Aviation is a small place, and poor behavior in dealing with Roger will have long lasting consequences. Inexpensive projects offered by senior aviators have a way of attracting rip off artists, but let me assure such people this is the wrong place to try something.  Let this be enough said.

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Above, a picture of Roger and myself at Oshkosh 2010.  Here was the commentary from our Oshkosh coverage that year: “Noted old school homebuilder Roger White stops by the tent at Oshkosh. His current project is a very nicely done Corvair installed on a Bolkow Junior. The theme of Oshkosh this year was “A Salute To Veterans.” In last month’s update, I mentioned the irony of people promoting Chinese-made products at the same location. If you look closely at Roger’s hat, you’ll see a rectangular blue patch with an embroidered musket. In an era where we talk about saluting veterans, people should be taught to immediately recognize the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. This is only awarded to men who served in the U.S. Army who were directly engaged in combat face-to-face with the enemy. Too few Americans understand that the Korean war was directly fought against Chinese Communist troops. No matter what position people hold on a conflict, we are all intelligent enough to understand young foot soldiers don’t make national policy … they just pay for it.”

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 Bolkow MFI-9HB  –  Bolkow Junior

Due to health and circumstances I need to find a new home for my project.  NOT A KIT!

Aircraft built by amateur from approximately 75% factory unfinished parts,  factory drawings and supporting documents.

Has converted Corvair engine mounted and 5th bearing conversion installed

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Above, an image of Count Carl Gustav Von Rosen’s MFI-9B, pictured in attack configuration as used in the Nigerian Civil war.  While every rich guy with a Stearman will tell you he owns a “warbird” the MFI-9B is an actual combat aircraft that destroyed a number of MiG 17s and Ilyushin-28’s.  I would like to see Rogers plane take it’s rightful place parked with the other actual warbirds at Oshkosh, particularly if the parking space had previously been used by a T-34 or other training planes.

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-ww.

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