blehman wrote:

NineThreeKilo wrote:So a straight tail, tailwheel 150hp 150?

So basically a mini 180?

Shit, if the paint and everything is also nice I’d think tons of folks would pay decent money for that.

That's my hunch too from the sentiment on social media!

Reality is reality, my budget is $50k and I just don't think I can make it work.

Thanks everyone! I'm headed to the C120/140 forums to see if I can find a nice 120/140 with a C90. The straight tail, tailwheel, O-320 will forever and always be my unicorn.

A 1946 120/140 pairs nicely with a C90, particularly if it has the original straight pipes, early style cam and 71" prop.
Definitely ditch the extenders if one your interested in has them.

Regards,
Ernie

Update for those looking to do the same thing.

Ultimately I decided against carrying forward with this plan because of the estimated cost (over $40k) and the low usable weight. My primary purpose is for training and I needed to be legit with my W&B's and with so little available it limited my student base. One of the biggest barriers I discovered was the engine mount.

Also, I found a perfect Cessna 140A that fit my needs.

I'm a partner in a 150/150, currently trying to sell my 20% share. It's a great little plane, but a bit limiting. If poking holes in the sky and doing so with a bit more performance than a standard 150 and a bit more agility than a 172 is your goal, maybe a 150/150 is the ticket. However, if you're looking to travel, you're planning on fuel stops every 2.5 hours. Our STC does include the increase in gross. As such, I believe our UL with full fuel is just over 500lbs. You can get a couple good size pilots in there and not be over gross.

I have had to fly O-320 in C-150 and O-360 in C-172 occasionally on pipeline patrol. So in 3500 miles in four to seven days do you want to fly a Mack truck or a nice little car? They both go about the same airspeed and one uses lots more gas. One is a pleasure to fly and the other makes you quit earlier in the heat of the day because you are just worn from manipulating the heavier controls. If you want/need a big airplane, buy a big airplane.