zubart

I have a Aero Mini BOAC VC10 in great conditon except for yellowing decals on the edges. Anybody know what this little beauty would fetch on ebay these days?

Flying Ace

The Aero Mini VC-10, model number 2009, was only produced in BOAC livery and is considered to be scarce. Mint specimens are currently worth to have a reported market value in the neighborhood of $150-175 U.S. However, as ebay is unpredictable, you may get more or less for your model there.

Some other interesting tidbits for those collectors that may have the Aero mini VC-10:

1. The casting for this model was completed in early 1972 and was followed shortly by the DC-8-61.

2. The VC-10 ranks just below the DC-8s in rarity and mint condition examples are difficult to find.

zubart

Hey, thanks. My mother will be glad to hear her $9 in 1973 didn't go to waste!

These are also in my collection, What kind of value do they have?

Pan Am 707
TWA 707
Eastern DC-8
Pan Am 747
Eastern DC-9
TWA DC-9
Eastern 727
Northwest 727
United 737
Branif 727
American 727

Aloha

Avatordon

You and I have an identical fleet - I also have a couple of the JALs and more 747s (TWA, Air Canada) and Air Canada DC8

Flying Ace

It's difficult to assign a precise value without seeing and knowing the actual condition of the aircraft in question, but in looking over your collection yo appear to have a nice blend of some of the common and rare pieces, which you should be able to gather from the prices I provide below:

Pan Am 707 - $75
TWA 707 - $120
Eastern DC-8 - $300
Pan Am 747 - $135
Eastern DC-9 - $175
TWA DC-9 - $100
Eastern 727 - $210
Northwest 727 - $115
United 737 - $70
Braniff 727- $100 [blue] $180 [red]
American 727 - $140

All of these prices assume expected retail for mint flawless specimens. Proces may vary depending on the locale, vendor, and source. But it gives you a good idea as to the value of these planes.

Among the 3 recognized producers within the Aero Mini range, that being the original Robert Metchick issues, Brian Thompkins models, and the later Brian Pekham pieces, I believe there are approximately 67 total models in the entire range, give or take. I have acquired just over half of them at this point. I have mentioned in the list above except the Am 727.

Some of my star pieces, however, include the USAF E-4, Thompkins models BOAC and TAP 747s, and the Air Canada 747.

Flying Ace

Out of couriousity...which 2 out of the 3 JALS do you have?

zubart

Thanks Flying Ace.
I love my Aero Mini's so I'll probaby hang on to them for another 30 years at least .

My final question is why are Eastern airplanes more popular?

Flying Ace

Zubart:

The Aero Mini Easterns are very popular among collectors, but I am not certain if it is the popluarity with Eastern airlines itself, the rarity of these Aero Mini issues, or a combination of the two. For example, of the original Aero mini Robert Metchick line, there are 4 EAL models to obtain: 747, 727, DC-9, and DC-8.

Of the data that I have on these as follows:

DC-8 Rare $300
747 Scarce $250
DC-9 Scarce $175
727 Limited $210

I have listed them in the order from the most rare to the least rare. So atthe bottom of the list, Aero Mini produced mostly 727 in the Eastern scheme. And this is consistent with the actual numbers and production timeframes for when the 727 casting was introduced. But the peculiar thing here is that for some odd reason, the EAL DC-9, for which is a more rare plane, has an apparent lesser value but not by much. Could be that the 727 is just a bit more popular among collectors...which upholds my other theory.

Here is some more exciting stuff! Aero Mini reversed the EAL logo on some of the DC-9's and the 727's [See the attached photos!] I have never heard of this QC issue adding to or detracting from the value of the model. But the Aero mini addict that I am, have decided to acquire specimens of each since it is part of the company's history. The silver EAL is a later Briam Peckham model, and I have not yet acquired an original Metchick EAL 727 with the correctly oriented logo. Pretty cool, huh?

zubart

Yeah cool, I never noticed the backward EAL logo before. Looks like my 727 is the correct logo .

ANTHONY F DUVA JR

This is BY FAR the best VC-10 I have. I have not seen any Corgi version yet, however.

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