Look at it this way, Rick: It's simply supply and demand, and the parts suppliers have us 'demanders' (who want to keep our airplanes operating) over a barrel. Our choices, such as they are, are (1) Ground our airplane or fly it with 'deferred items,' (2) Try to sell our airplanes and then spend really big $$ for a replacement (of which there are few for a Skymaster), or simply quit flying, (3) Find - and pay for - the parts we need to keep going.
Sad to say, but like other dwindling fleets in the past, as some owners opt for #2, their airplanes will become parts bins for the rest of us - can you say 'cannibalization?'
As for values, parts or airplanes, like the man from down under said, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay.
Joe
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