Originally Posted by
rwanttaja
Like any piece of art, there's the physical cost of creation, and the actual value of the item to a particular buyer. Most pieces of art aren't practical, so their "performance" is usually not an issue.
Take, for example, an ermine violin. Most people wouldn't buy it just to play it, but if you find the right Trekkie, he or she might be willing to shell out good bucks for it.
The Bally Bomber is obviously not a good "everyday" aircraft, with limited capacity, increased maintenance, and restricted speeds. To pay a quarter-million dollars for the aircraft, the buyer must value it by its artistic merit, not by its ability to provide an aerial platform. To quote Indiana Jones, "It belongs in a museum." I hope Mr. Bally finds a buyer that values the aircraft on this basis.
Ron Wanttaja