Buying and owning fighter jets... - General

What does British and American law say about buying, owning and flying fighter jets? If you're a multi-millionaire, who or where do you buy them from? Do you need extra qualifications other than having a pilot's license? I suppose you could only buy defunct planes like F-5's and the such, seeing as the latest aircraft like F-22s are only sold to governments. Edit: I know you wouldn't be able to arm it, I'm just asking if you can legally own and fly the thing.

I have no idea if you can, but if you could then you'd have to be the richest, cleverest motherfucker going to own your own fighter jet. Also you wouldnt get weapons.

You can buy private jets that use the fighter jet model, you can't have it carry any rawkits or bombs though.

It is possible to buy fighter jets if you have the money but fighter jets aren't even affordable by multi-millionaires. Fighter jets cost BILLIONs not millions. Also, the companies who make these jets are probably going to straight up just say no if you try to buy one. Because if they sell you a jet fighter some news agency is going to go. IRRESPONSIBLE! The military is going to go oh shit and distance themselves from that company and then there goes a large company.

While you probably would be allowed to buy one, you wouldn't be allowed to arm it.

Ya, it's legal. Not the best investment, though. If you have the money a Gulfstream would be a better choice. You cannot go super-sonic over American airspace, so you're not gonna have much fun.

There are certainly jet warbirds out there but they're mostly jet/fighter trainers, few actual fighters (as well as some older ground attack aircraft like Hawker Hunters). However there were some Flankers floating around while back, not sure if they're still for sale. Most of the actual fighters are the early jets, like MiG-15s and -17s. Edit: One of the most common jet warbirds is the L-39 Albatross, made by the Czech company Aero Vodochody. you can pick one up for a few hundred thousand American; a guy here in Perth has one. Edit Edit: [url=http://www.prideaircraft.com/forsale.htm]Pride Aircraft, a company that sells L-39s and had some Flankers previously.[/url] [url=http://classifieds.aviationadvertiser.com.au/search.php?do_search=Search&catid_search=9]Some Hawker Hunters, L-39s and a Strikemaster for sale here[/url]

[QUOTE]1. [B]F-14 Tomcat[/B] Type Interceptor/multi-role Fighter aircraft Manufacturer Grumman Designed by Bob Kress, engineering manager[1] Maiden flight 21 December 1970 Introduction September 1974 Retired 22 September 2006, USN Status Active service with Iran, Limited Service in United States Navy Primary users United States Navy, Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force Number built 712 Unit cost [B]US$38 million[/B] in [B]1998[/B][/QUOTE] [QUOTE]2. [B]F-15 Eagle[/B] Type Air superiority fighter Manufacturer McDonnell Douglas/Boeing IDS Maiden flight 27 July 1972 Introduction 9 January 1976 Status Active: 567 Primary users United States Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Saudi Air Force Unit cost US[B]$27.9 million[/B] (F-15A/B) US$29.9 million (F-15C/D) in 1998 Variants F-15E Strike Eagle F-15S/MTD[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]3. [B]F-16 Falcon[/B] Manufacturer General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin Maiden flight 1974-02-02 Introduction 1978-08-17 Status Active: 724 Reserve: 69 Primary users United States Air Force and 24 other users Number built >4,000 Unit cost [B]US$14.6 million[/B] (F-16A/B) [B]US$18.8 million [/B](F-16C/D) in [B]1998[/B] Variants General Dynamics F-16XL Mitsubishi F-2[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]4. [B]F-18 Hornet[/B] Type Multirole fighter, strike fighter Manufacturer Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Designed by McDonnell Douglas Maiden flight 1995-11-29 Introduction 1999 Primary user United States Navy Produced 1995-present Number built 300 Unit cost [B]US$57 million[/B] (F/A-18E) US$59 million (F/A-18F) Developed from F/A-18 Hornet Variants EA-18 Growler[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]5. [B]F-22: Raptor[/B] Type Stealth air superiority fighter Manufacturers Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Maiden flight YF-22: 29 September 1990 F-22: 7 September 1997 Introduction 15 December 2005 Status Active: 91[1] Planned: 183 Primary user United States Air Force Unit cost [B]US$137.7 million[/B] as of 2007[3] Variants X-44 MANTA FB-22[/QUOTE] [QUOTE]The Future of Jet Fighting - [B]F-35 Lightning[/B] Manufacturers Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Northrop Grumman BAE Systems Maiden flight 15 December 2006 Introduction 2011 (scheduled) Status Under development/pre-production Primary users United States Air Force United States Navy United States Marine Corps Royal Air Force / Royal Navy Produced 2003-present Unit cost F-35A: US$48 million [B]F-35B: US$62 million F-35C: US$63 million[/B] Developed from Lockheed Martin X-3[/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.gunslot.com/blog/top-active-united-states-military-fighter-jets[/url] [editline]10:18AM[/editline] Those are active ones.

I know I saw a video of a guy who bought a Sea Harrier surplus from the Royal Navy, it wasn't operational but he managed to get it working and flys it at air shows. Ah here it is: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P79cKX3EFgo[/media]

[QUOTE=XxLiquidxX;23150390]Source: [url]http://www.gunslot.com/blog/top-active-united-states-military-fighter-jets[/url] [editline]10:18AM[/editline] Those are active ones.[/QUOTE] Solution: buy a MIG.

better start mowing lawns for that $30m op [editline]03:24PM[/editline] i'm assuming your under the age of 14 because no one is dumb enough to ask such a question

Not sure if you can buy fighter jets but I do know you can legally buy and own tanks. They have to be demilitarized first, which means they take out necessary parts to fire the cannon, and also a bunch of things that are needed to make the tank fully operational for combat. [editline]10:30AM[/editline] Here's some good information. [url]http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080809100605AAF9eI1[/url]

This is a question i never knew i'd be so keen to hear the answer to. Just like "What does a crashing hotwheels car look like in slow motion?"

iwoot.com used to sell fighter jets a while ago (i think they have stopped or run out of stock now) but they were not operational, more of just a shell, with most of the operating parts gutted from it. The most expensive part of a fighter jet is usually any titanium parts, namely the support which runs through the body and out to the wings, keeping them from snapping off at high speeds. This single part alone can be worth $15,000,000. So buying one stripped of titanium will be crazy cheap compared to one with the titanium components still present. Of course it won't be able to fly; but it would make one hell of a lawn ornament.

[QUOTE=TINCAN;23150564] [editline]03:24PM[/editline] i'm assuming your under the age of 14 because no one is dumb enough to ask such a question[/QUOTE] What's dumb about the question? With fighter jets in the 15-60 million dollar range, there are a fair number of people that could afford them if they wanted to own one. I'm asking about the legal terms of buying, owning and flying those aircraft. Idiot.

The answer is yes. There are civilian individuals that own some fighter aircrafts. However all weapons must be removed.

I wish I would be rich enough to buy atleast one of these [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Cessna350N2546W02.jpg[/img] [editline]03:02PM[/editline] Also, jets suck

I'm sure if you know the right people, you can buy Russian MiGs. The Ruskies have less scruples about selling planes to Western civillians.

[QUOTE=TINCAN;23150564]better start mowing lawns for that $30m op [editline]03:24PM[/editline] i'm assuming your under the age of 14 because no one is dumb enough to ask such a question[/QUOTE] I'm assuming [B]you're[/B] under the age of 14 because no one should be dumb enough to make a spelling mistake like that.

[QUOTE=darkrei9n;23150296]Fighter jets cost BILLIONs not millions.[/QUOTE] Do you have any idea how much a billion dollars is? Please show me one aircraft that nears the billion dollar mark.

I remember from attending an airshow that the Eurofighter Typhoon cost approximately £69m per unit.

You have to be a rich motherfucker, and get certification, but other than that I think it's possible.

Good read if you're interested in the subject: [url]http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.10/kirlin.html[/url]

[QUOTE=urbanmonkey;23151965]Do you have any idea how much a billion dollars is? Please show me one aircraft that nears the billion dollar mark.[/QUOTE] The only one I believe is the B2 (hardly). And if the OP gets one of those he may as well order an army and navy along with it.

[QUOTE=urbanmonkey;23151965]Do you have any idea how much a billion dollars is? Please show me one aircraft that nears the billion dollar mark.[/QUOTE] The B-2 comes close.

[QUOTE=darkrei9n;23150296]It is possible to buy fighter jets if you have the money but fighter jets aren't even affordable by multi-millionaires. Fighter jets cost [b]BILLIONs[/b] not millions. Also, the companies who make these jets are probably going to straight up just say no if you try to buy one. [b]Because if they sell you a jet fighter some news agency is going to go. IRRESPONSIBLE![/b] The military is going to go oh shit and distance themselves from that company and then there goes a large company.[/QUOTE] A single jet on its own will not cost billions. The F-22 raptor is around $120 million, not even close to a billion. But still, your gonna have to be a rich motherfucker if you want to own any jet, even if it's just an F-4 or F-5, they are still over $2 million. And that's not including fuel and maintenance. Also, how's it irresponsible?

Black Market, that's where the big boys shop :smug:.

I'm sure you wouldn't be able to buy one let alone fly one, considering all the army practice and things you have to qualify for, and if you did buy one they'd be above $20.000.000 considering the speeds they go at, and the things you can attach to them. Anyway, good thread!

[QUOTE=SirKillsAlot;23152224]The only one I believe is the B2 (hardly). And if the OP gets one of those he may as well order an army and navy along with it.[/QUOTE] Every James Bond villain worth his salt has a private Army, Navy and Air Force.

There wouldn't be any point.