Hello,

I recently found this model aircraft at my town dump and I was curious if someone could tell me how old it might be, what model kit it is made from and how much it could potentially be worth? I did research on the actual plane so I know the history of the actual aircraft...I just can't seem to find anything out about the model.

I would greatly appreciate any assistance.

See pics here:

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


thank you,
SS

Shawn,
The town dump? That's an incredible model of the famous Lockheed Vega Winnie Mae, flown by the famous aviator Wiley Post. The model you have appears to be scratch built in a large scale to a high degree of accuracy and skill. Guillow's made a large scale kit of the Winnie Mae back in the late 50s or early 60s, but I don't think that's what you have, as the wings and fuselage appear to be solid wood. In short, it appears you have a one-of-a-kind model. It looks like it might have been built for a museum or private collection. As to value, it's got some damaged areas, and is showing its age, so it's difficult to say, it could be anywhere from a few dollars to a couple of hundred in the condition it's in, but it certainly isn't "dump worthy". With some restoration it could be worth a lot more. Can you post some measurements?
VR, Russ

It could also be this model. http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal8/7501-7600/gal7549-Vega-Presley/00.shtm

How big is it?

It looks to be much larger than the old AMT kit. It may be a static adaptation of a flying model kit, or more likely it was custom built.

There's no way it could be the old Lindberg 1/48 Winnie Mae-- it's way to large, and if you look closely, you will see the fuselage, spats, and wing are likely made of solid wood, which may or may not be splitting. That kind of work takes real skill-- and perhaps even a professional model builder. The markings appear to be silk screened directly onto the model-- all hallmarks of a purpose built model in large scale- either for a museum or a collector. Why anyone would throw this away is beyond me-- Kudos for rescuing it!
VR, Russ