SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Value of A-10 wind tunnel model

2454 views
17 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2004
Value of A-10 wind tunnel model
Posted by Dice on Monday, February 9, 2004 7:06 AM
What do you guys think this model may be worth (ballpark), it's one of the orginal wind tunnel models used to design the A-10. I think the scale is about 1/25 but I'm not use about that.

It's made of solid machined aluminum and weighs about 60 pounds....



Here's a picture of the model in the wind tunnel during weapons separation testing....

Go ugly early!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 9, 2004 3:34 PM
Damn, I don't know but let me know 'cause I'd be VERY interested in buying!!!!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 9, 2004 3:46 PM
Actually Joe, why don't you e-mail me and we can discuss it. I would really enjoy that model!! I have my modeling room filled with various Airplane Memorabilia, including a CH-53E Windscreen, Control Stick, Windscreen from a Cessna 421, a P-40 Warhawk fan....you name it, I'm trying to get it!! I think that would be a wonderful item to add to my collection, please let me know!!!
  • Member since
    January 2004
Posted by Dice on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 10:03 AM
Thanks for the responce kik36 but I'm not wanting to sell it at this time. I was just trying to get an idea of it's worth so I known how much care I sould take with the model. I know its value is relative to who is buying it, like an aviation collector or museum but, I don’t even have a “ballpark” figure. Again thanks and if I ever do decide to sell it I will keep you in mind.
Go ugly early!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 8:25 PM
Oh Damn....Sigh [sigh]LOL Well, you can't win 'em all. Honestly, I would say in the very least it's worth a few hundred....at least. It is a piece of history, I've heard that sometimes the Smithsonian, or other museums may be able to give you a quote on such a piece. Honestly, I probably wouldn't put too much effort into say "restoring" it, but I would put a lot of effort into preserving it. How to do that???Confused [%-)] Maybe scour the web for Aluminum preservation tips, or even Corrosion control tips??!! Don't worry, I don't take any offense....I have some one of a kind comic book artwork, that the artist was getting rid of to pay some bills (He was a pretty big druggie), and he just happened to show up when I was at the comicbook shop, trying to hawk 'em...I was able to get two nice pieces from him, and even though I don't collect comics these days.....there's no way I'd ever get rid of them!!!! So, I know exactly how you feel, 'cause I have no idea where I would start to get a ballpark figure to their value. Thank for sharing, I appreciate it....and definately keep me in mind, 'cause I would drive out there to pick it up even!!! LOL All right, all right.....I'll stop buggin ya!!!Big Smile [:D]Tongue [:P]Wink [;)]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 11:16 PM
Wow Dice I'd say that's quite a find, and I know that it would be priceless to me if I had found it. I would think that you could bank on the bare minimum value being equal to the current market value of aluminum... that being said, don't sell it for aluminum because there are probably quite a few people who would pay much more. Just thought this may be a good way for you to at least determine the very least that it's worth.
  • Member since
    January 2004
Posted by Dice on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 8:42 AM
kik36, that's OK if you want to bug me..I did ask the question! Big Smile [:D]
AJACKETSFAN, thanks for the responce and I guess you're right the price of the aluminum itself is a good baseline to start with.
The model is in the base fab shop now where they are going to make a mold of it so they can produce fiberglass copies for use around the base. It will be a few months before the first one is produced and I will post picture when I can.

BTW- this will be the center peice of my "I love me" room when finished! Approve [^]
Go ugly early!
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 9:02 AM
A good place to do a market measurment for what people will pay for something is ebay. Look for unique models such as the WW2 identification models. These are running into three digits prices now. I think this model, if it has some identification marking and proof of authenticity, will appreciate with time just because of it's rariety and that it actually held a job in aviation history. I would put it in a case, declare at least $1000.00 for it with my insurance company, and enjoy it.

Scott

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: plopped down in front of this computer.
Posted by eagle334 on Wednesday, February 11, 2004 9:20 AM
Dice

I wouldn't base the value on the cost of aluminum. Scrap aluminum, which this would be considered, is only around 42 cents a pound. Now if you want to sell it for $25.20, I would be more than happy to take it. Smile [:)] My guess is that you probably don't.

I would go along with what Scott said, hang onto it. It is something that is pretty rare and they definately won't be making any more of. Take pictures of it and have it insured if you desire for what you think it might be worth on the collectors market. If you went by actual product cost, I would hate to think how much Fairchild actually paid for it, probably in the tens of thousands.
Wayners Go Eagles! 334th Fighter Squadron Me and my F-4E <script language="javascript" src="http://www.airfighters.com/phgid_183.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
  • Member since
    January 2004
Posted by Dice on Thursday, February 12, 2004 6:39 AM
Thanks again all, I will take you advice and insure it for a 1K and display it proudly. Big Smile [:D]
Go ugly early!
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 13, 2004 12:33 AM
Dice, that's sound advice my friend, and I would probably take the same course. I'm jealous.....BUT being an old CH-53E techie, I understand the connection to the A-10 you have.....believe me, I probably have too many 53 parts lying around!!!Wink [;)] Hey, maybe one day I'll finish that Trumpeter's 1/32 NAW A-10, and then I'll have my own display!!!! LOL
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 13, 2004 8:43 PM
kik36,

How do you get any modeling done with so much other stuff in your modeling room??Big Smile [:D]Big Smile [:D]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 13, 2004 8:47 PM
I'm just trying to make my way to 1/1 modeling!!!!Tongue [:P] I've always joked that one day I'd have a full sized CH-53E in my garage!!! LOL
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Newport News VA
Posted by Buddho on Friday, February 13, 2004 8:57 PM
Do you know who fabricated it? A model like that would probably run anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 dollars for the design, machining and assembly , as well as gaging and pressure tube installation. But as is, and depending on the collector, I would say minimum in the thousands.

Regards, Dan

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: UK
Posted by gregers on Friday, February 13, 2004 8:57 PM
Hey Kik, thats starting to sound like that old song..........
Ah built it one piece at a time, an it never cost me a dime....LoL
Greg
Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Lafayette, LA
Posted by Melgyver on Friday, February 13, 2004 10:08 PM
Hang on to it! Unless you need the money for a heart transplant you will reget parting with it one day! I still kick myself for selling a brand new Vietnam era Flight Helmet years ago.

Clear Left!

Mel

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Littleton,CO
Posted by caine on Saturday, February 14, 2004 12:05 PM
I would agree with boybuddho, it probably cost in the tens of thousands to build it. How much it is worth today... that just comes down to how much people are willing to pay for it. I think most of us here would love to have that to display in our homes!
http://www.shockwavephoto.com
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: and just won't go away.
Posted by Quagmyre on Saturday, February 14, 2004 4:37 PM
Only one way to find out it's market value.

Throw it out on eBay with a base price of $5000. There's enough of people out there to understand it's true value. Smile [:)]

Of course most of us here may not have such a disposable income to acquire it for $5000.Sad [:(]

If you like it. Keep it. I'd keep it if it were mine, and I don't even collect anything built after '46.


Current and Subsequent Projects:
1/48 scale Tamiya P-47 "Razorback" - Complete
1/48 scale Testors/Lone Star Models PT-22 Recruit - 20% Complete 
1/48 scale Monogram C-47 Skytrain - Not Started

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.