> - Let serene ge neeaes os» By LESLIE ELLIS Review Staff Writer The best place in Canada to get your warbird restored is right here on the Saanich -Penin- sula. This may not mean much to all but the few wealthy warplane enthusiasts scattered ~ across North America. But when they want their planes” rebuilt, chances are they might contact Russ Popel and Joe: House at Victoria Air Maintenance. Popel started his company in 1979 and House became a part- ner three years ago. Since then, they’ve always had one or two warbirds on the go-at their Vie- toria Airport. hangar. would prefer to work on the old warplanes all the ime, but com- mercial aviation maintenance lets them make a living to sup- port their hobby. For fun, they bunt up’ war- -birds from all over. the ‘world, CLASSIC. WARBIRD - Joe House’s twin engine Beech was awarded ‘best classic Your EAGLE RIDGE home. has been: | custam designed forthe property to lake: — f°) advantage of the varying topography and |. scenic splendor: The livingroom is larga: f with cathedral ceilings, lots of windows fh . and-a floor to ceiling heatilator fireplace: ~ Sliding glass doors open. anto (ne.large » “patio. Through the bright diningroam you, saretully planned: kitchen with: ¢ h go into the European cabinels, floor 10 ‘ceiling pantry, ff ~ quality GE appliances and through. f another door onto, the sundeck, The. § elegant master bedroom featuras size walk-in closed, roomy private onsuite . vanily and dressing” - b -otable.. The highlight, a large ovaltub, is. nestled in abay window. The second flor ¥. features A large quest bedroam or den: f.--wilh-ils own large bay sitting area that = would make an ideal hobby area. A 4. = ploan bath enaiplotes the seeand eve” with large shower, They. take them apart, strip the paint, overhaul parts and put the whole thing back together. They rewire planes (the old military wiring is obsolete), paint ex- teriors and refurbish interiors. When they’re finished the war- birds look like brand new old planes. Popei’s.. crew is currently working on a T-28. Once com- pleted, nobody will be able to imagine that it was originally an American plane. taken to France, then used by Argen- tina's military, likely in French Africa. With a@-current price tag of $100,000 U.S., the refurbished plane could sell for $175,000. Some people, Popel said, make’a living travelling around the world. locating and selling old planes. Warbirds have been rescued from lakes, the tops of remote mou- tains, the South Pacific Islands, ss “warbird? honors at North peed Ss most prestigious airshow: a full: + landse aned. ee RON V KUBEK = _ 63584. a enti . abandoned the bouoms of &. the Alaskan Aleutians and from Third World countries that planes acquired from the U.S. government. One expedition is currently spending millions of dollars to rescue six P-38 Lightnings from the Ice-Cap in Greenland, said Popel. The planes are rare and valuable, but no more fune- tional than modern-built ° air- craft. , Why the passion for old airplanes? Warbird owners are usually rich, in love with their planes and like nothing -better than to fix them up and fly around North America to various events. “Thev're big toys for big boys,"* said Popel. People buy warbirds for the same reason a sailing enthusiast might spend a small fortune for a big yacht that sits at the dock COMMUN ITY People, Places, Happenings str most of the year.:‘‘Some people — can afford the toys-they want.”’ But there’s not a lot of money — Your EAGLE RIDGE home alsa fez alures. a over 800 sq. ft. of sundeck taking " advanlage of the Southern: ePOsare each 7 of, the homes have. All EAGLE RIDGE hommes feature 6" thick walls with “I NASCOR construction, reducing | 7 conventional energy cos superior energy efficient: S by up to 50%. Your EAGLE RIDGE Rome will be finished. with natural cedar siding, shake roof and cedar decks. area around each cluster will ba luslly The immediate “Phone: me today to eat up your privala~. appaintment to.view EAGLE RIDGE, Prices from $139,000, oa -Javishing ..so- ._ often reluctant to let them go.: att ~ realist.’ “you, wand. thes DL. 3 shop, are ‘working on. two T-28s - BUD MASSENDER Manager FREE DELIVERY within the Town of Sidney on prescription orders WATER BOMBER - Russ Popel stands in front of the / A- 26 water bomber his crew at - Victoria Air Maintenance is restoring. in it. for him. A stock Harvard, for example, sells for about $40,000 U.S. A totally rebuilt — one, restored to award-winning condition, sells for about $65,000 U.S. But it costs bet- ween $30,000 and $35,000 to rebuild the aircraft, said. Popel. “There. isn't a big profit margin,’ . Popel said. it works out better : financially. for his company to. » buy ‘the old planes then rebuild and after he’s: resell them. But, much © care, like them..ally. but Pm ‘flew them in the war and. still . have a soft spotin their: hearts 7 ; is for the old planes: complete’ overhauling; *: The | “Prices. will: ‘eventually. Popel: “But warbirds: ate going. 7 to be around 2 as long < as there's cy Ne for the | | Pree’ of. Priced to. Soll. 656.9724 2 «an