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?
