There’s an operational F-18 in private hands, and at least one MiG-17.
And there used to be at least one two-seat MiG-21 trainer up in New England somewhere.
}:-)4
I wouldn't have imagined the government would have allowed that!?!?! Is the owner a retired Admiral, or something?
I saw a MiG-17 at Rockford Regional Airport (Illinois) that looked like it was undergoing restoration. It was in Polish AF livery.
I remember 25 years ago reading about a T-38 Tallon that ended up in private hands due to a paperwork snafu with the salvage. IIRC it was a USAF trainer that made a belly landing short of a USN air station. The Navy couldn’t get the AF to take away the craft on the Navy’s timetable, so a buyer jumped in and hauled it off & restored it.
I’ve also seen F86 & and F104 in private hands. But as far as ex-US military craft — that’s about it.
Are there legal obstacles? FAA regulations that get in the way? Or is it just a matter of cost?
Michael Dorn [aka Worf from the Star Trek Series] owns an old F 86 “Saber” He stated in an interview that he got the flying “bug” while doing the TV series. He is also rated to fly supersonic over the ocean.So if you have the bucks you can just about purchase anything....