Tue, May 24, 2005
Only $54 Million
It's an experimental aircraft
builder's dream:
For Sale
Boeing 767 Tanker Prototype
Never Flown
Reinforced floors
Upgraded electrical system
Extra cargo door
Needs engines, avionics
Only $54 million
After Boeing's 767 tanker deal was declared dead on the table
earlier this year, the company has a prototype gathering dust at
the company's plant in Everett, WA. Now, that one-of-a-kind 767 is
for sale.
As ANN reported in October, the original tanker
deal Boeing struck with the US Air Force was tainted with scandal
and eventually abandoned by the government.
Boeing is now back in the running against Airbus for development
of a long-overdue KC-135 replacement. But it won't be a 767,
according to company executives. That line is expected to be shut
down sometime this year.
The problem is that the aircraft is so heavily-modified that it
needs a special FAA certification. But to make it airworthy, the
company will have to spend more money than it's worth on the
commercial market. Boeing has already sunk $275 million into the
one-of-a-kind aircraft.
Boeing's Commercial Aircraft Division is reportedly considering
scrapping the aircraft altogether -- or perhaps donating it to an
aviation museum.
Or Boeing could sell the aircraft -- to itself. The Commercial
Division is said to be considering selling the 767 to the Military
Division for pennies on the dollar. But then, there's the question
of whether the Military Division would even want the white
elephant.
So, if you're looking for that really challenging homebuilt
aircraft project, consider it. But you're going to need a
really big garage in which to finish it.
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