Bargin Bomber ?

Foster's last aircraft cost $305,000 in 1943 dollars (1). Adjusted for an annual inflation rate of 3% per year, the present value is $1.9 million (2). In today's dollars, the aircraft would cost $1.9 million dollars.

Considering what a bomber costs today, this was a bargain. Note, a new 4 seat/passenger single engine small general aviation aircraft costs around $200,000 today.

1. National Air and Space Museum Aircraft History Card contains this number. The manufacturer was Ford. The engine manufacturer was Buick (GM).

2. Calculated by 2006-1943 = 63 years
1.03^63 = 6.47
6.47* 305,000.00