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Post by slackie on Aug 11, 2011 19:31:37 GMT 12
OK... so this isn't really RNZAF or NZ Aviation but... A friend of mine was cleaning out his garage and came across this display model... it's a bit dirty (from years in the garage), but it's huge... probably the best part of 1800mm x 1800mm... it appears to be made of fibreglass and wood and needs a bit of TLC. He asked me what it's worth, and to be honest my initial thought was "nothing", but I undertook to find out... Is there anyone here that might be interested in it?? Any idea what it's worth? Actually I guess he could put it on TradeMe for $1 reserve... might suggest that!
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 11, 2011 19:35:26 GMT 12
I'd love it, space would be the issue - hang in the garage?
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Post by nzompilot on Aug 11, 2011 19:55:10 GMT 12
Ooooohhh that is a very desireable and collectable piece ... I for one would love to have that in my collection, even if it costs me more to freight it here than it does to buy it.
If it does go on trademe let me know.
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Post by htbrst on Aug 11, 2011 20:31:07 GMT 12
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 11, 2011 20:47:33 GMT 12
Are the wires under the port wing root to do with the model? Does it light up or something?
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 11, 2011 21:12:34 GMT 12
Are the wires under the port wing root to do with the model? Does it light up or something? Yes, it is to power the minature John Travolta doll that pops up through the hole in the top of the fuselage to read from the book of Dianetics. ;D
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 11, 2011 21:14:40 GMT 12
Well, it is certain to win a fortune then
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 11, 2011 22:28:08 GMT 12
In the 1970's my Dad was given a travel agent's model of a Boeing 707, and I think it too was either in Qantas colours or maybe TWA. It was not nearly as large, it had a wingspan of around a metre. It was made of a lightweight metal of some sort. He mounted it onto a pivot at the apex of the garage roof and it became for many years our version of a weather vane. Unfortunately being out in the weather it began to fade and eventaully fall apart.
By the time it had gotten into a poor state a guy visited who was in the travel industry and was a modeller, and he'd had something to do with those airline models that went into travel agency windows (like Dad's weather vane and this model here). He told Dad that he should never have left it outdoors as they are hugely collectable and really valuable. He reckoned if it had been in good nick it would have been worth at least $350 (this is about 1985 I am talking about!).
Also back then in the 1980's Mum and Dad knew a travel agent here in town who got in a Boeing 747 in Air New Zealand colours into his window, around the same size as your mate's 707. Dad jokingly asked if he could buy it and the agent said it cost around $1200 to have made and was hugely rare! I think that one was fibreglass, not metal. And we're talking mid-1980's, that is a lot of money.
So I reckon if you give this a good clean it might be worth a fortune. You only need to find a buyer who agrees with that.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 11, 2011 22:45:51 GMT 12
What did the V stand for in V-jet? And does that livery help to pinpoint a date for the model?
I know they had to get new models every time the airline's livery changed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 11, 2011 22:53:15 GMT 12
Here you go, this looks to be around the same size Boeing 707 fibreglass model, perhaps even from the same mould, and though it's restored in better condition the auction estimates value at US$3,500 - US$7,500. www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2539594
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Post by Bruce on Aug 11, 2011 23:12:20 GMT 12
What did the V stand for in V-jet? And does that livery help to pinpoint a date for the model? I know they had to get new models every time the airline's livery changed. Its to do with the then - new Turbofan engines. From the Qantas web site: "Between July and September 1959, ahead of every other airline outside the US, Qantas took delivery of seven Boeing 707-138 jet aircraft. Boeing 707 services to the United States began in July. Two months later the service was extended to London via New York. Sydney-London services via India began in October. So great were its advantages that Qantas modified its existing 707-138 fleet with the turbo-fans. With the arrival of its first 138B series aircraft, Qantas called its Boeings V-Jets, from the Latin 'vannus', meaning fan. Two more were ordered in 1963." I'm sure that would be far too obscure for today's PR people!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 11, 2011 23:27:34 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce. I would think this example is quite a museum piece. It might sell better on the Australian market.
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Post by slackie on Aug 12, 2011 7:41:47 GMT 12
Ummm... what to say! Stunned. The wires in it are apparently for lights in the wings and tail... not sure if this was original or added later.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 12, 2011 12:26:08 GMT 12
Tell him it's worthless but you'll take it off his hands for a tenner... ;D
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Post by slackie on Aug 17, 2011 9:48:40 GMT 12
It's going on TradeMe... will post a link when it's up.
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Post by slackie on Sept 15, 2011 16:35:57 GMT 12
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Post by slackie on Sept 17, 2011 19:52:28 GMT 12
...and as of tonight it has met the $250 reserve.... it is now FOR SALE!! Bid away!
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Post by slackie on Sept 20, 2011 11:52:20 GMT 12
Seems it's worth more than $400!! This is quite exciting!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2011 12:30:18 GMT 12
Told you they were valuable.
I think i may have done your mate a big favour. Maybe I should get a cut. ;D
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 20, 2011 19:25:03 GMT 12
Ooooh it's still pretty tempting...don't know if I can quite justify investing in the 707 when I don't even have a car! Thanks for the advisory, by the way
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