We’ve seen a few aviation-themed classics over more than a decade at Barn Finds, including a few kit projects. However, this 2005 Viper Aircrafts ViperJet stands out from the crowd. As the name suggests, this aircraft ditches the concept of propellor power in favor of jet propulsion. The ViperJet was an expensive kit when new, but a new owner could score this one at a fraction of the original price. If to fantasize about a “Top Gun” lifestyle, it is listed here on eBay in Cumming, Georgia. Bidding sits at $25,000 in a No Reserve auction.
The ViperJet was a product of the Viper Aircraft Corporation in Pascoe, Washington. The company developed the aircraft during the 1990s, and the original concept was not planned to feature jet propulsion. The company intended to use a push-propellor concept powered by a flat-six engine, but insurmountable vibration issues led to a change of direction. It turned its attention to a Turbomeca Marboré turbojet, and while it could get the craft airborne, it didn’t provide the required performance. The company tried the General Electric T58 but experienced similar disappointment. It finally settled on the General Electric CJ610, which gave the ViperJet a top speed of 525mph, and a cruising speed of 375mph. The downside is that these engines are thirsty, leaving the owner with a cruising range of around 920 miles. Viper Aircrafts was not a “fly-by-night” company (Sorry!), but its organizational skills were not impressive. The ViperJet is a two-seat tandem configuration made almost entirely of composite materials. In true fighter jet tradition, occupants looked out through bubble canopies at the passing world, and it featured retractable landing gear. The base kit cost $182,000, but getting the vehicle airworthy would usually cost around $350,000. The concept was sound, but some buyers found that the company was only one step ahead of them in developing and producing parts. Therefore, it is unsurprising that less than ten of these beauties have been completed. This one features its fuselage and canopies. There are a few other small parts, but the new owner faces a significant investment to get this plane physically complete.
Apart from items like the engine, fuel tanks, gauges, and seats, this ViperJet is missing two significant components; It doesn’t include wings or landing gear. That isn’t a disaster because although Viper no longer produces the parts, a gentleman in Oregon is working with one of the plane’s original developers to build replacements. They have three kits nearly complete, but it is unclear what one would cost. The other thing for potential buyers to consider is the changes in aviation regulations that have occurred since the ViperJet initially hit the market. It features a pressurized cockpit, giving it a ceiling of 40,000 feet. However, it is not allowed to venture beyond 28,000 feet. The other significant change is to the annual maintenance schedule. Previously, this was contained on a single sheet of A4 paper, but the new rules mean that it now runs to sixty-six pages! It is unclear how much of the work requires the attention of an aeronautic engineer, but the buyer should factor these costs into their annual running budget.
Like some other classics, this 2005 ViperJet will appeal to a limited audience. Unlike those gems, there can be no half-measures in this project. If your classic car experiences an engine stalling out, you will simply roll to the side of the road. If that happened in the ViperJet at 28,000 feet, you could be in a world of pain. This project will require expert guidance and meticulous attention to detail before it rolls out onto a runway. It also won’t be a cheap undertaking because the new owner will need a six-figure budget before it becomes anything but garage art. With those thoughts in mind, is it a project you would consider pursuing further?
$350,000 would buy a bunch of Business Class airline tickets or private jet usage.
Found in a chicken coop? I wonder what it was doing at a weigh station,,,real chicken coops are one of the most disgusting places on earth and one reason I don’t eat chicken. Do you really want to know why? This is an interesting find, what it’s doing here, I don’t know. I highly doubt ANY of our fine viewers tuned in to BFs and said, “Oh my goodness, finally a ViperJet, and ONLY $25grand,, hey maw, guessy what just come in the BarnyFinds?”,,,maybe, but not bloody likely. Looking at it, I’m not sure which way it even goes.
I can’t help but picture chickens living in this, maybe it was in hiding oe something.
kit built planes arent worth anything. Nothing to see here, folks, move along. 25 k? You will probably have to pay to get rid of it like an old fiberglass boat. Another clown who thinks he haas gold.
Cheers
GPC
Wow. That’s quite the statement, might as well say kit cars are worthless. There are a lot of homebuilt kit aircraft out there flying regularly (e.g. RV-8’s, Rotorway Exec’s, etc.). The ViperJet is a unique aircraft, one that I personally wouldn’t get into, but it’s going to be worth something to someone.
Did you actually read the article? The guy isn’t asking 25K; bidding is currently at 25K, so someone out there thinks it’s worth it…
I’m thinking an LS1 and fabricated suspension and you’d gat all the attention at Cars & Coffee.
“Want to see the 2005 Viper I just bought?”
……. like buying a Stetson after watching “Yellowstone” season 1.
If your hot rod breaks down, just pull over and call a friend- if you spend your life savings on this thing and it breaks down, your life is gone along with your savings.
Static display, maybe, but no way cost effective enough to make airworthy.
Whoever buys it will probably have 600K in it and it might not even be ready to fly. I read that another owner has put 15 years into his project and still is not flying it solo. Expensive yard art.
What could go wrong??
You better be a millionaire with more money than common sense to buy this barn find… Even if all the assembly/administrative hurdles are overcome, the fuel cost to take this for a spin turns it into a black hole for your money.
Nope!
I’ll give them $250 and hang it from the ceiling in my shop.
Duh…..can’t anyone else see land speed race car potential here…..????
Let’s see, the Powerball is up over a billion; that should get you through most of the red tape. But then, you still need to fill the tanks…
Had to look up a finished project. A pretty snazzy jet.
I’d rather buy a surplus T-37 or P-51. Maybe a Mig17 is more available? Asking for a wealthy friend…
Bonneville special. Add a couple LS’s , and some suspension, get that 200 mph hat you always wanted.
A couple of sheets of plywood are all that’s needed to make a pair of wings!
How about a VIPER V-10 for the drivetrain? Easier to register with the DMV.
“If she had wings I’ll bet she could fly”
So for $300K it’ll outrun a $2.3M Veyron SS and risk your neck in three dimensions rather than only two. Sounds like a hella deal to me.