Posted 7 years ago
ohmyflyguy
(83 items)
So a past client asked for a special toy airplane. He owns a a thriving bookstore in Iowa. Besides the great selection of vintage books, he also has vintage toys on display. In his former life he flew the left seat for many hours in a Beechcraft B-18 "Twin Beech" flying cargo in the midwest. He loved one particular version in the fleet and wanted a vintage toy airplane to be overhauled to represent it as a semi-scale model. The plan is for it to be hung from the ceiling as if "on final" about to land on an airstrip along the top of a long bookcase. With some provided photos we set to work converting a pretty battered large Wyandotte Pressed Steel Toy Airplane into his Beech 18. There were extensive modifications to match his requests including full nacelles under the wings, new scale-like empennage (tail assembly), new landing gear, cowlings and handmade props. Additional items were opening the area of windshield windows and adding engine front decals. The fuselage had some open areas filled in and some areas spliced with new steel. The pictures show the results with a blue and tan unrestored Wyandotte sibling for comparison. Its first stop will be under the Christmas Tree as its scale is about the same as an O-Gauge train set. It will then add adventure inspiration at the shop. Happy Holidays one and all! Tom (SANDMAN OVERHAUL)
A talented restorer you are! I love the result.
Thanks! Actually, I am one for the underdog toy. We all know one that was beat-up and sorry looking after all those years. "These are the toys that deserve a better place."- from the writers of TOY STORY in a bull session.
Happy Holidays and what a amazing restore on this plane !