Value of A-10 wind tunnel model

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

I'm just trying to make my way to 1/1 modeling!!!! I've always joked that one day I'd have a full sized CH-53E in my garage!!! LOL

kik36,

How do you get any modeling done with so much other stuff in your modeling room??

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!!! Hey, maybe one day I'll finish that Trumpeter's 1/32 NAW A-10, and then I'll have my own display!!!! LOL

Thanks again all, I will take you advice and insure it for a 1K and display it proudly.

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. 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.

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

kik36, that's OK if you want to bug me..I did ask the question!
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!

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.

Oh Damn....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??? 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!!!

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.

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!!!

Damn, I don't know but let me know 'cause I'd be VERY interested in buying!!!!