One derelict DC-3 was repaired from a hull to flyable using $85,000 in donations by Plane Savers using donated labor from a school, so that's about the price floor:
The Basler Turbine DC-3 is a from-the-sheet-metal up reman, and the airframe is expected to last a total of 150 years. (Since the DC-3 is not pressurized, it has not lifetime age limit.)
Sorry, commercial aviation is an expensive game with no cheap options.
- Cessna Caravan new $2.3 million
- DC-3 Reman (Basler Turbine) $8 million, used (piston) $300-000 to $1 million (bargain in the cargo business)
- C-130/L-100 new $70 million
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basler_BT-67
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_208_Caravan
One derelict DC-3 was repaired from a hull to flyable using $85,000 in donations by Plane Savers using donated labor from a school, so that's about the price floor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8haGfVvcS0I
The Basler Turbine DC-3 is a from-the-sheet-metal up reman, and the airframe is expected to last a total of 150 years. (Since the DC-3 is not pressurized, it has not lifetime age limit.)