1958 Veco Smoothie Kit

I am discussing the price for a 1958 Veco Smoothie kit with a guy who has a large collection of vintage kits. The box is in good shape, although it is a little faded in spots. The parts are complete and untouched. We are both aware of alternative sources of and prices for Smoothie kits (Larry Richards and Brodak) and of the soon to be released ARF by Brodak. He wants $150 for the kit. His rationale is that it is really a collector's item and, as such, is worth that. Is he right? Thanks in advance for your comments.

There is one on ebay for auction. It has almost 3 days left and after two bids is at $103 and change. It should go higher as most stuff on ebay is bid on right up to the last minute. You could watch it and see what happens. I think you would be better purchasing an after market kit if you are going to build one to fly. If you are a collector and just want to set it on the shelf then I believe the price is worth it. That opinion is coming from a non collector, me. here's the link to the Smoothie:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34054&item=3193984198&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I think it sold for over $200!!!
Not bad for an old kit.

Bigiron

Hi Peter,

I agree with Tom. If you are looking to fly it, get a new kit. A brodak kit of the original kit can be had for half that.

If you are planning to collect it then the price isn't too bad. Veco kits bring a pretty good price now. If it is the red box with white checkerboard, $150 is getting towards the max unless it is truly mint. If it is the first edition box w/ Bob Palmer's pic on it, then it is probably worth more if complete and in nice shape.

If it was Dumas or Aero, then I don't believe I would go that high.

Bill <><

>Hi Peter,
>
>I agree with Tom. If you are looking to fly it, get a new
>kit. A brodak kit of the original kit can be had for half
>that.
>
>If you are planning to collect it then the price isn't too
>bad. Veco kits bring a pretty good price now. If it is the
>red box with white checkerboard, $150 is getting towards the
>max unless it is truly mint. If it is the first edition box
>w/ Bob Palmer's pic on it, then it is probably worth more if
>complete and in nice shape.
>
>If it was Dumas or Aero, then I don't believe I would go
>that high.
>
>Bill <><

It's ONLY worth whatever the next guy down the pike with the cash in hand will pay for it- nothing more.

Jake
>
>When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his
>friends.
>Japanese Proverb

Kits are for collectors. If you want to build, get the plans, re-engineer the structure for a few ounces lighter weight, then buy balsa from Riley or others and you will end up with a plane that will fly better than the kit.

FC

>Kits are for collectors. If you want to build, get the
>plans, re-engineer the structure for a few ounces lighter
>weight, then buy balsa from Riley or others and you will end
>up with a plane that will fly better than the kit.
>
>FC

Almost anything will. Collectors are like P.T. Barnum once said: "There is one born every minute".
Actually he was an optomist.

Jake

Agree that $150 fully values the kit, even on an ebay scale.

Shoot for $125. If he nixes it, walk away, and wish him well. And go with the Brodak offering.

Question for anyone: Did the Smoothie come out early enough to predate the checkerboard box; i.e., did it come in an Indian themed box? If so, that would push the price up a bit.

I had never thought about it, but the name "Smoothie" is one of the very few early Veco kits that did not have an Indian-oriented name. So maybe it would not qualify for an Indian-themed box anyway.

Hi Currell,
I have seen an early Smoothie box that had a pic of Mr. Palmer on it. IIRC, he was holding a Smoothie. Sort of like the early Sterling boxes. I don't rmember any of the Indian theme on it.
There was one on *bay this year, I think.
Bill <><

Bob Palmers nickname was "Smoothie Palmer". It is on some plans I have. Thus the name of the plane. For the way he flew.

What vintage is this box. It says Henery Engineering Co but on the front it says Veco products. The Veco products may be refering to the bellcrank and control horns. Price $7.95
Ed

Hi Ed,
That's the one I was talking about.
I can't remember the details, but there was some problem with the first name that was supposed to be used by Henry Eng. (Heco??) so the Veco line was born. The Smoothie was c/l kit #1!
1952??
Bill <><

LAST EDITED ON May-20-04 AT 05:36 PM (CDT)
 
It says cat.#8 on the box. How much is a empty box worth? The rudder on the box cover looks a lot different than the kit. It is very round at the top. Also this is the inverted motor not like the magazine plans.
Ed

>Hi Ed,
>That's the one I was talking about.
>I can't remember the details, but there was some problem
>with the first name that was supposed to be used by Henry
>Eng. (Heco??) so the Veco line was born. The Smoothie was
>c/l kit #1!
>1952??
>Bill <><
>
>When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his
>friends.
>Japanese Proverb

Gil Henry had wanted to use "Heco" but that name was already registered as a trademark. The only other letter that would fit within the font and had a similar sound was the V, so Veco it became.

Jake

This box predates the checkerboard box. GIL HENERY (Owner of Henery Engineering Co./ Veco) Most of the checkerboard boxed kits in the early sixties still had the Henery Engineering Co. at the lower right hand side of the plans.

That is the earliest Smoothie box.

I would value the box alone at $10 to $15.

I think all Smoothie plans of any vintage show both upright and inverted mounting of the motor. Currell

Ed: Good observation; the box photo does show the rudder/vertical stab as somewhat more rounded than the (at least) checkerboard kit. But the difference is only moderate.