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Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
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Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Hi all,
I just acquired an unflown Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire complete with box. The original owner had fired up the engine but never went any further than that. Does anyone know the approx date of manufacture and value of this?
I am not sure yet whether or not I will keep and fly myself or pass it on. I was interested as my Father had a balsa P51 Mustang when I was growing up and I thought it would be fun to try the sport. But I wouldn't want to prang it into the ground on my first flight if it has any real value.
Regards,
Richard
I just acquired an unflown Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire complete with box. The original owner had fired up the engine but never went any further than that. Does anyone know the approx date of manufacture and value of this?
I am not sure yet whether or not I will keep and fly myself or pass it on. I was interested as my Father had a balsa P51 Mustang when I was growing up and I thought it would be fun to try the sport. But I wouldn't want to prang it into the ground on my first flight if it has any real value.
Regards,
Richard
Dneprrider- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2012-08-22
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
That is a fairly valuable model.
crankbndr- Top Poster
- Posts : 3058
Join date : 2011-12-10
Location : Homestead FL
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Really Nice, i've got the same problem. I am owning a warhawk in same condition, i would try with a less valuable model.
coxaddicted- Gold Member
- Posts : 492
Join date : 2012-07-11
Age : 44
Location : North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Sell that jewel to a collector and get yourself something to have fun with.
I personally would not fly it as they are pretty rare, especially with the original box. Someone here should be able to give a rough estimate as to when it was made.
I personally would not fly it as they are pretty rare, especially with the original box. Someone here should be able to give a rough estimate as to when it was made.
lousyflyer- Gold Member
- Posts : 342
Join date : 2012-06-25
Age : 64
Location : Garden City Ga
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
lousyflyer wrote:
I personally would not fly it as they are pretty rare, especially with the original box.
This is my thought exactly, so thanks to all who replied. I'll start out with something to have fun with and not fly the vintage stuff.
Regards,
Richard
Dneprrider- Beginner Poster
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Join date : 2012-08-22
lousyflyer- Gold Member
- Posts : 342
Join date : 2012-06-25
Age : 64
Location : Garden City Ga
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Nice Spit!
Yep, hang it from the ceiling or sell it on ebay. It's really hard to put a exact price on these, as the price is always determined by the market (buyer and seller) but I'd think $125-$175 area, but you just never know.
The light green Spit listed is a earlier version ('64-'65) no decal damage and much more collectable. Your version is nice, antenna is still intact and has canopy, probably early seventies (stepped cylinder, no yellow letters on fuselage, small needle head, rubber tires) I'll check my catalogs and info tonight.
Mark
Yep, hang it from the ceiling or sell it on ebay. It's really hard to put a exact price on these, as the price is always determined by the market (buyer and seller) but I'd think $125-$175 area, but you just never know.
The light green Spit listed is a earlier version ('64-'65) no decal damage and much more collectable. Your version is nice, antenna is still intact and has canopy, probably early seventies (stepped cylinder, no yellow letters on fuselage, small needle head, rubber tires) I'll check my catalogs and info tonight.
Mark
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Very nice and desireable plane. As others have suggested savor it as you would any desireable plane.
Frankly, and I speak from many years of experience, Cox plastic airplanes were NEVER spectaular performers in the flying circle. To risk that plane's "virginity" would be a travesty IMO.
Frankly, and I speak from many years of experience, Cox plastic airplanes were NEVER spectaular performers in the flying circle. To risk that plane's "virginity" would be a travesty IMO.
SuperDave- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 3552
Join date : 2011-08-13
Location : Washington (state)
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
As a beginner control liner, I can say with 100% sureity you will crash during your first flight and most of your subsequent ones.
I would suggest a basic CL trainer as seen on the Brodak site or a Goldberg Li'l Wizard. Both are tough planes and can withstand abuse. They also repair easily.
Once you are competent you may consider it although, anything can happen even if your an accomplished flyer.
Those planes were meant to be flown after all. The only difference is they are worth much more than when they were new on the shelf. It's up to you in the end. I guess you have to decide if your a collector or a flyer. Some guys are a little of both.
I would suggest a basic CL trainer as seen on the Brodak site or a Goldberg Li'l Wizard. Both are tough planes and can withstand abuse. They also repair easily.
Once you are competent you may consider it although, anything can happen even if your an accomplished flyer.
Those planes were meant to be flown after all. The only difference is they are worth much more than when they were new on the shelf. It's up to you in the end. I guess you have to decide if your a collector or a flyer. Some guys are a little of both.
Cribbs74- Moderator
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Posts : 11892
Join date : 2011-10-24
Age : 50
Location : Tuttle, OK
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
"As a beginner control liner, I can say with 100% sureity you will crash during your first flight and most of your subsequent ones." - Ron -wisdom born of pain for most of us.
Learn to fly on a trainer rather than a valuable Cox classic Spitfire.
Learn to fly on a trainer rather than a valuable Cox classic Spitfire.
SuperDave- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 3552
Join date : 2011-08-13
Location : Washington (state)
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
A major factor to consider when flying these old relics is the plastic bellcrank. I've seen several of these fail through the years. As this type of plastic ages, it gets extremely brittle. When flexed, it bends and then snaps. That would result in a devastating crash. Ken
Ken Cook- Top Poster
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Location : pennsylvania
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Mark Boesen wrote:Nice Spit!
Yep, hang it from the ceiling or sell it on ebay. It's really hard to put a exact price on these, as the price is always determined by the market (buyer and seller) but I'd think $125-$175 area, but you just never know.
The light green Spit listed is a earlier version ('64-'65) no decal damage and much more collectable. Your version is nice, antenna is still intact and has canopy, probably early seventies (stepped cylinder, no yellow letters on fuselage, small needle head, rubber tires) I'll check my catalogs and info tonight.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for checking your catalogs.
Regards,
Richard
Dneprrider- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2012-08-22
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
That little antenna on yours is the deal maker. That and the box.
lousyflyer- Gold Member
- Posts : 342
Join date : 2012-06-25
Age : 64
Location : Garden City Ga
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Mark Boesen wrote:Nice Spit!
Yep, hang it from the ceiling or sell it on ebay. It's really hard to put a exact price on these, as the price is always determined by the market (buyer and seller) but I'd think $125-$175 area, but you just never know.
The light green Spit listed is a earlier version ('64-'65) no decal damage and much more collectable. Your version is nice, antenna is still intact and has canopy, probably early seventies (stepped cylinder, no yellow letters on fuselage, small needle head, rubber tires) I'll check my catalogs and info tonight.
Mark
From my info, it doesn't list the Spit after '69, but does show parts for it in the '70 catalog? The plane in question doesn't have the hot stamped yellow markings on fuselage, I'm sure this was a cost savings measure as it was probably being fazed out. I did read somewhere about a Canadian version, but that is questionable at best?
As for the needle valve the smaller diameter head was introduced in late '69 early '70 and the 'stepped' cylinder about the same time...so I'm gonna say/guess your Spit was made sometime in '70, maybe '71 and unsure when it was discontinued, but likely this was one of the last of the dark green versions. Hopefully Mud will see this and add the rest of the story.
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
"I did read somewhere about a Canadian version, but that is questionable at best?"
I do believe this to be a Canadian version. The box is in both English and French. There is markings "Leisure Dynamics of Canada Ltd, Don Mills Ont" and the box says "Printed in Canada", "Product of US Origin".
I do believe this to be a Canadian version. The box is in both English and French. There is markings "Leisure Dynamics of Canada Ltd, Don Mills Ont" and the box says "Printed in Canada", "Product of US Origin".
Dneprrider- Beginner Poster
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Join date : 2012-08-22
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Photos as requested.
Dneprrider- Beginner Poster
- Posts : 5
Join date : 2012-08-22
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Not everyone actually crashes on their first flight. There are those who get "lucky" and manage to keep it up. I only touched ground when I began stunting. Even then it was a fairly gentle kiss with the Earth.
Rolla
Rolla
Godsey3.0- Platinum Member
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Location : Metamora, Indiana
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Godsey3.0 wrote:Not everyone actually crashes on their first flight. There are those who get "lucky" and manage to keep it up. I only touched ground when I began stunting. Even then it was a fairly gentle kiss with the Earth.
Rolla
+1...
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
^
^
^
Don't listen to those two. Those are the only two people in the world that didn't slag their first CL plane. ^
^
If the engine turns, I would recommend adding a couple of drops of oil into the exhaust port(onto the side of the piston skirt) and into the gap behind the prop drive plate. Work it in after each of those applications. Light oil like Marvel M.O., airtool oil, or automatic transmission fluid is good. Even if you're not going to run it.
_________________
Don't Panic!
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
...and never Ever think about how good you are at something...
while you're doing it!
My Hot Rock & Blues Playlist
RknRusty- Rest In Peace
- Posts : 10869
Join date : 2011-08-10
Age : 68
Location : South Carolina, USA
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
That spitfire is 1974 to 1975 , no doubt about it, it was sold in Canada through leisure world in Don mills Ontario ,just down the road from where I lived.I was given mine for Christmas when I was 13 years old . I have been looking for that very plane for a while .brings back lots of memories, I even remember that exact box ,every detail of that plane is branded in my memory forever. nice find. and thanks for posting those pictures ,they will help me get me by until I find one myself. LOL . cheers Roger
RAMJETT- Bronze Member
- Posts : 41
Join date : 2013-02-27
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
That plane brings back memories. My first ever CL plane back in the 80's was a cox plastic mustang. I had so many rough landings with it where it flipped forwards, that I finally removed the landing gear our of frustration. Little wheels and grassy field don't mix. I remember at some point even making a set of silly ski's or skids out of thin coat hangers and using those to land with.. lol.
Good times..
I agree with the others. Those planes are collectors items now, and shouldn't be flown due to plastic fatigue, especially on the bellcranks.
Good times..
I agree with the others. Those planes are collectors items now, and shouldn't be flown due to plastic fatigue, especially on the bellcranks.
MeerschaumSteve- Gold Member
- Posts : 121
Join date : 2012-10-21
Location : Oklahoma
Your Cox Spitfire will not fly.
Back in the 60's when I was growing up, me and all of my neighborhood friends were interested in Cox airplanes. In 1967, we all received Cox airplanes for Christmas. I received a Spitfire, one of my friends received the gloss black Stuka and another friend received a blue and yellow Stearman. My two friends flew their planes flawlessly and all touched down perfectly as if they had flown all their lives. Everyone was excited to see the Spitfire fly because we all agreed it was the coolest looking plane there. Much to my disappointment, it did not fly at all. Instead of maintaining a tight line, it flew toward me, then climbed and dove into the ground. I tried it again, this time, tried to run away to maintain a tight line, but again it flew toward me and again went straight up and dove into the ground. My friends tried it with the same result. The last time I ever flew it, it did it again and finally broke the wing in half. I never knew what the problem was but if someone here had the same problem and can solve the mystery I would appreciate it. I certainly would not fly the Spitfire, unless you want a pile of scrap plastic in place of a beautiful display piece. Good luck. Jim Patrick, Bartow, Florida
jiminbartow- New Member
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Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Welcome to the forum Jim!
fredvon4- Top Poster
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Location : Lampasas Texas
Re: Cox Thimble Drome Spitfire Information wanted
Welcome Jim! I'm 54.. (born in 1960) and Cox RTF airplanes were HOT then.. and stayed hot for another 20 years at least. Heck.. "they're HOT now"!! at least in our little world here! My first was the lt. blue/beige Sopwith Camel with Babe Bee for power. I can't remember the year exactly.. but it was around 1970 I think. Although it was small.. it needed the .049... because of it's weight. It wasn't too much bigger than the Pee Wee powered Pitts.. when you compare it to most of the other low-wing models that Cox was producing... which had 18+ inch wingspans. I think the Sopwith's top wing had a 14" span.
I wonder if "by chance" your Spit was missing it's tip weight? You never know.. Cox engines were generally perfect.. Their airframe QC may have been below the engine standard.
Anyway.. Welcome again! This is an outstanding forum!
I wonder if "by chance" your Spit was missing it's tip weight? You never know.. Cox engines were generally perfect.. Their airframe QC may have been below the engine standard.
Anyway.. Welcome again! This is an outstanding forum!
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