We certainly can’t be accused of not providing variety at Barn Finds, and for those with an aeronautical leaning, this 1964 Fouga CM170 could be the classic of your dreams. Its condition is excellent, and a recent inspection confirms it is ready to take to the sky with a new owner at the controls. The seller claims it is the only one for sale in the US, and an online search seems to confirm that claim. The Fouga is listed for sale here on Facebook in San Pedro, California. It could be yours for $95,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Taylor W for spotting it.
The CM170 can trace its history back to the late 1940s as a French company, Fouga, commenced development on a tandem seat trainer. Jet propulsion was the way of the future, and the company sought to tap that technology in an aircraft that would retain long-term relevance. Early engineering drawings exposed shortcomings in the initial design, but ongoing development resulted in the first prototype lifting off on 23rd July 1952. Series production commenced in 1956, and 576 planes eventually emerged from the Air Fouga factory. The final production total was 929, courtesy of under-license examples rolling out of facilities in West Germany, Finland, and Israel. The fuselage features a slimline design with a distinctive V-Tail. Our feature aircraft was produced in 1964, and its presentation is hard to fault. Its Red paint shines impressively, and the White and Yellow stripes make it look fast while standing still. The canopy is crystal clear, and a recent inspection confirms the Fouga is airworthy and ready for action.
If you are the type of person who likes their classic to feature plenty of gauges, the inside of this Fouga won’t disappoint. It has everything a pilot could need to navigate and fly safely and to ensure that all is well mechanically. The tandem seating provides space for two occupants, per the company’s design intent that the CM170 should serve as a jet trainer aircraft. Fouga focused on simplicity when designing the craft to minimize the chances of in-flight incidents. It ensured issues like engine flame-out would present minimal problems, making the restart procedure straightforward and quick. The CM170 is powered by a pair of Turbomeca Marboré turbojet engines mounted close to the fuselage for stability. While it wasn’t the fastest jet trainer produced during the period, the CM170 was viewed favorably by many due to its easy operation, top speed of 444mph, and a cruising range of 750 miles. This craft is in excellent mechanical health, and the seller includes the maintenance program and books in the sale. We say with some classics that you could fly in and drive it home. In this case, the new owner could reverse the process by driving in and flying it home!
Aircraft have long fascinated me, and I admire the ingenuity that is their design hallmark. This 1964 Fouga CM170 represents what many would consider an affordable option for someone seeking to enter the world of jet aviation. The seller will have a limited buyer pool, but I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home quickly. If you’ve long desired to channel your inner Maverick from Top Gun, this could be your chance to make that dream a reality.
Leave a Reply