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I recently found a rather large hand made model of the Winnie Mae at my local dump. I was told someone just dropped it off and that their grandfather built it. 

It has a 5' 2" wingspan and is meticulously painted and detailed. As you would expect there is some noticeable damage and age to it but I found most of the parts and was able to piece it together myself. It really is gorgeous. 

 

Please post your replies if you are interested in helping me identify the age, the manufacturer of the model kit and its value. I know nothing about airplane models.

 

Thank you,

SS

 

https://goo.gl/photos/5sgddc9K82zLPPcF7

 

https://goo.gl/photos/UcCy2DvuD9qg4FS5A

 

https://goo.gl/photos/wd8RbXeEJcpGWQHAA

 

https://goo.gl/photos/4fBBfHMkfR4BuEoy8

 

https://goo.gl/photos/sxpywf9r6cAtwNCWA

 

https://goo.gl/photos/8hDFMk37JWmEFsiFA

 

https://goo.gl/photos/GwqsGV1J3GcyaWoo9

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Considering it was likely built at LEAST 50 years ago (I'd guess probably closer to 80 but don't ask me how I came up with that), and you said yourself in the initial post above that it was hand-made (i.e, from scratch, not a kit), I'm not surprised in the least that no one here can give you more information. 

 

But, it really does look like a fantastic example of craftsmanship and modeling, and I'd like to see some more pictures of it (the other side, engine, anything else that might be interesting).

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Shawn, gotta agree with Joe here.  If this was a hand-made model and not from a commercially produced kit, then it's up to anyone's guess as to the background of this model.  The person who might know best about it is the person who decided to dump it off.  Then again, if the person who took it to the dump didn't want it, it's most likely that they, too, know nothing about the history of the model.  If they don't know it's history, then they won't have any appreciation for what appears to be a meticulously crafted model.

 

Eric

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It's a flying model. It looks like it's quite well done! Shame it was tossed like that.

 

You'd probably have better luck getting info on this from a radio control aircraft site, like rcuniverse.com. When you do, post a couple more pix showing the cabin interior and the cowling (head on).

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There are no 1/8 scale plastic model kits of the Lockheed Vega.  If it's a kit, it would be for the flying model crowd, which is outside the remit of this website, so you'd be more likely to get answers on an R/C or flying model website.  More likely, it's hand made, probably off a set of plans either for for large-scale flying models, or enlarged from drawings for smaller-scale, hand-carved aircraft, which were popular prior to the 60's.  Again, both of these would be outside the remit of this website.  

 

If it's hand-built, the only possible way of determining a date would be a thorough inspection to see if the builder signed or dated the model anywhere.  Other than that, there's no way of knowing.  The only way to even get close would be to research period magazines to see if/when they featured the aircraft, or published plans, which might give some clues as to the earliest date it could have been built.  But then, it's possible it was built two years ago, after someone found a 1936 issue of Model Aircraft Builder on eBay.

 

As for the value...   that would depend on the build quality, the condition, and the interest of buyers.  If you're hoping you found something really valuable... I doubt it.  You might be able to guesstimate its worth by researching similar size/quality/era listings on eBay, but ultimately it will depend on how much whoever it is that stumbles upon the item is willing to pay.

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That's a gorgeous model. And you've given her a shower. :thumbsup: Some new makeup too. Wow! Doesn't look like a hussy anymore.

I wish I was in a position to help you discover the model's lineage. My guess is that a museum in Oklahoma would love to have it. Frankly I'd keep it if there was room enough.

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Do you have an RC flying club in your area?

 

If you do, find out when they gather to fly their models. Take this model with you and show it to them. Just like this hobby, and the Model Railroad guys, there are people in RC that are as serious about their hobby as we are. There are also those less serious, just like in this one.

 

The people might be able to look that model over for the workmanship, and/or tell you if they think it has a high value or a low one.

 

No matter how it turns out, you will be showing the model to people that build and fly the same kind of model, and just like with the "plastic people", they will be happy to see a new model that they hadn't seen before.

 

The one thing all of us have in common is that we like to look at finished models "in our type of modeling",,,,whether it is a subject we would build or not. You might even make a friend or two in the process, which never hurts anything.

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I appreciate it that you would consider a loan to a museum.

These days many people want whatever they purchase to be in "as is" condition. I wouldn't rehab the plane until I found out it's story.

Keep pursuing leads to the history of the model as well as some kind of value. Another place to try might be the National Air & Space Museum. They've got the original Winnie Mae there. Try their website to find out who to contact.

Wiley Post's family lived in Maysville OK. Maybe there's a librarian there that might help. Phone 405-867-4748. Librarians are clever and knowledgable. I am a retired librarian, in case you couldn't tell!

Keep us posted.

Rick

 

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Excellent suggestions Rick and Rex. As a matter of fact I do see people flying rc planes near me in Concord. If I don't get anywhere with the air and space museum or the library. ..I'll stop there when the weather clears up. I found a few rc plane forums I'm going to post on as well. Thanks so much. 

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