Crack in bout of #5

Let me know if I am over-stepping my welcome. This is my third post in as many days. I am getting back into WW and I have a bunch of questions, and you folks have been a great resource . Much appreciated!

I have a flea market special #5 Bailey Smoother. It actually came with a very nice Hock blade, and I think that blinded me to a crack on the bout. It is not immediately noticeable, but it does run down from the top of the bout, from about 11:00 to almost the center. All in all it is about an inch and a quarter long. Otherwise the plane is very workable. I have tried bending the plane to see if it spreads out; I can't move it.

is this a death knell? I only spent $25 on it and got a couple of other plane blades in the mix, so I am not particularly upset about this, except it means I don't have a workable #5. Is the crack a functional problem? Is there a compound I can use to fill the crack? What other steps should I take to fix it, or should I salvage it for parts and hope for another flea market find? If anyone out there has a #5 they are looking to unload, I will make a nice offer!

Thanks folks! I very much appreciate the help!

BTW - what qualifies one as a "Galoot"? Is there a membership card? A club song? A local chapter?

Joe

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Crack in bout of #5