Depending how you view it , a war bird will cost you money to maintain it to standards .If you cut the price of the maintenance, you will get what you pay for.
Pep-boy charge over $100.00/hr to fix your car. If you have a problem with your car when you driving,
you will put your flashing lights, step on the side of the road and call AAA
When you fly at FL230 and you have a problem ?....
Be realistic, if you want to own a Fouga and you try to save nickel and dimes.... Just get a Cessna 152.
When you see an aircraft at first site to buy it, nice paint job, the seller open the canopy to look inside but not to touch, not test fly it but offer you just some coffee or a lunch, this is the tip of the iceberg that you can see.
What is under the water line is usually kept in the dark like: real cost to maintain the aircraft,
can the aircraft be certified, hours on the engines, when next parts need to be replaced, who sell parts, at what price , who can overhaul parts and at what cost, who can work on the airplane and do they have knowledge,references where they received the training and proof of the training received ...
If you are not sure, ask around.
It is better to have a second advise than to be forced to pay 1000'$ to have the aircraft in perfect condition.
Every body time is valuable, so do not try to have a meticulous inspection for free unless you find a wannabe fouga mechanic.
Why lawyers are expensive ? Because they made studies and have knowledge on the law, regulations...
Mechanics are like lawyers. The big difference is that the lawyer will not sign the release of a aircraft where you will be inside at FL270 flying 300 Kts
If you want to go the cheap way, good chance that one day or an other, your airplane will end in the scrap yard.
