Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Kim Mon Nov 22, 2021 9:45 am

Stumbled onto this pretty much NIB Wen Mac P-38 this morning, and copped the very nice photos posted by its seller.

I can never look at one of these (and there ARE plenty of others, of course!!!!) without an accompanying mental image of their scattering parts across a neighborhood street or ball field. The handle's combat-line-spacing alone would insure the fledgling Fighter Pilot of some wild seconds right before gravity won the fight.

This one looks to have all of its parts (along with its second engine), albeit with a slightly warped elevator, and the great photos win it a place in my "Hall of Pain Collection" of assorted Christmas Destroyers.

Already at over $600 with 6 days to go, this one's sure to bust a thousand bucks in return for gracing the shelf of some masochist collector who just can't let go of their traumatic youth.

I'm happy just to let my sometimes-sick imagination run with the photos, and wonder if there ever was any kid who actually pulled off flying one through more than the classic hammerhead-on-takeoff!
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"New in Box Vintage Wen Mac P-38 P38 Control Line Model Airplane Rare NIB

Listed for sale is the holy grail of collector control line aircraft, the Wen Mac P-38, new in the box. This plane was recently purchased from an estate of a gentleman who acquired this airplane new in the 1950s.

The airplane has never been fueled, started, or flown and the engines have good compression with an audible “pop” when the automatic starters are engaged.

The airplane decals are original and look they are about 65 years old, as you would expect.

The body of the airplane has no cracks or damage, it looks to have been stored in the box since new and rarely, if ever, removed.

The box is complete but has been taped (I removed all the clear tape that I could find) and glued back together in the corners. There is water staining on the bottom of the box and bottom of the box insert and the overall condition of the box is fair to poor, but the box did what it was supposed to, protect the airplane all these years while being store.

The original control line handle, control line string and instruction page are included and in great condition for being nearly 65 years old."

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Marleysky Mon Nov 22, 2021 12:58 pm

Wholly Cow! That's a nice one! Yeah, I think I learned from the 049 Collectors Group that a picture is worth a $1000, cause I can look at the pictures and save a grand ( SMiley face) Don't have to own it, just look it and imagine , or in your case remember how all those pieces looked on the ground.

FLASHFORWARD to TODAY
If you have one or know someone who owns one ( A 3D printer) you can fly one of these: You Tube Linc:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-pty-pty_email&ei=UTF-8&hsimp=yhs-pty_email&hspart=pty&param1=20190107&param2=35310a96-95c5-4f35-8661-ce58ed1a4edf&param3=email_%7EUS%7Eappfocus5&param4=adwords_v1-bb8%7EChrome%7Eyou+tube+p-38+printed+plane%7EC6A826D9C4CAA0ABB889FEBC2C96367C&p=you+tube+p-38+printed+plane&type=em_appfocus5_cr#id=1&vid=b187a3b149fb1ee0ed83a303cad2a028&action=click

they have a Foamboard version also. Ya can build and crash a lot of them for a Grand!

Kim Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:25 pm

Deleted Double Post.

rsv1cox Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:51 pm

Already at over $600 with 6 days to go, this one's sure to bust a thousand bucks in return for gracing the shelf of some masochist collector who just can't let go of their traumatic youth.Very Happy

Describes me to a T Kim. Smile

My son and I have been followiing this ever since it was first listed. He's a Wen Mac fan through their Mustang tether/R/C car products, and.......well you know me and P-38's. In the past I have let several of these slide. Maybe not this one. But, it's in Oregon and me in West Virginia. What are the chances that it would arrive in one piece despite the shipping fee of almost sixty bucks.

Kim Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:59 pm

rsv1cox wrote:Already at over $600 with 6 days to go, this one's sure to bust a thousand bucks in return for gracing the shelf of some masochist collector who just can't let go of their traumatic youth.Very Happy

Describes me to a T Kim.

My son and I have been followiing this ever since it was first listed. He's a Wen Mac fan through their Mustang tether/R/C car products, and.......well you know me and P-38's. In the past I have let several of these slide. Maybe not this one. But, it's in Oregon and me in West Virginia. What are the chances that it would arrive in one piece despite the shipping fee of almost sixty bucks.

Hey, as they say, "It's worth what someone will pay for it!"

And I want to note that my comment wasn't made from a high-horse, but rather an acknowledgment and understanding of the special pain our ilk can cause ourselves!!! Very Happy

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close 2_ebay10

cstatman Mon Nov 22, 2021 4:13 pm

i saw the lightnin and KNEW you'd be interested

that price is WAY WAYYY too steep for me --- but worth EVERY CENT to the right collector

What a beautiful plane.

Kim Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:37 pm

Still a reasonable chunk 'o money.

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close 11_45

rsv1cox Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:02 pm

Kim wrote:Still a reasonable chunk 'o money.

I debated for days about bidding, always wanted one and I love the P-38. But it would be just another "wall of shame" sitter doing me or the wall no good. I would "have" it but not enjoy it. If I ever find a clapped out example, castor goo end to end and in pieces, I will be a bidder. Sorta like this one that arrived today, won for $22.72 that has me dancing on the ceiling.

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close P1012246

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close P1012247

See those three holes on the left wing-tip?

Well, more like this one arriving tomorrow.

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close Tail_l13

Marleysky Tue Nov 30, 2021 5:00 pm

WHOO ! Dancing on the ceiling!

Go Fred GO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1AQjcmzvx8

I can't wait to see the magic you have in store for these two planes.

rsv1cox Tue Nov 30, 2021 5:14 pm

Marleysky wrote:WHOO ! Dancing on the ceiling!

Go Fred GO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1AQjcmzvx8

I can't wait to see the magic you have in store for these two planes.

I thought you were going to throw Lionel Richie, on me. Smile

I just watched that movie on TCM. Top Hat I believe?

cstatman Wed Dec 01, 2021 12:13 pm

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:13 am

I have a Wen-Mac P38 control line model. It’s a chrome version with McCoy engine. A little newer than the painted version in the picture. Anyone have an estimate of its worth? I’m literally thinking of adding a second engine to the model to replace the dummy engine. Of course I’ll definitely keep everything together but I’m wondering if it will make it worth less? I’m definitely wanting to get it flying. I’m told they are underperforming with 1 working engine.

rsv1cox Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:31 am

Another P-38 fan, there are a lot of us here. Welcome to the forum.

I have seen a few aluminum finished (different from the gray P-38's) on ebay recently. They do not seem to command the prices that they once did. You have the right idea keeping the original dummy engine with the airplane should you substitute it. If you do replace and fly it, a flight report would be appreciated.

Do a search here on the P-38 and you will find a lot of history.

Bob

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:38 am

I realize that the company couldn’t have 2 non throttle controlled engines working because if both are full powered and the left stops running before the right, it might make it spin out of control. I just figured I’d restrict the right air entry/carberator and only put a 1/4 to half fuel in it and run the plane distance about 30 to 40ft. I like the idea of tinkering but don’t want to destroy the value

rsv1cox Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:51 am

I realize that the company couldn’t have 2 non throttle controlled engines working

They did. They came both ways, with two working engines and with a dummy. Mine came with two working engines.

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close P1016888

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close P1016889

I have scratch built two and flew one many many times. I would top off the interior engine last, which usually outlasted the outboard but many times the inboard quit first resulting in no control problems.

crankbndr Mon Dec 25, 2023 11:55 am

If it's never seen fuel doing so will hurt the value. Any mods will hurt the value.
The fuel will damage the chrome. If already fueled and flown then damage from "hard landings" will hurt.
If new in the box collectors will be interested.

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 4:56 pm

That’s good to know about the right engine not having control issues. I just figured they made it run on one engine because of that. I also wondered if it would effect the value somehow?

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 5:49 pm

crankbndr wrote:If it's never seen fuel doing so will hurt the value. Any mods will hurt the value.
The fuel will damage the chrome. If already fueled and flown then damage from "hard landings" will hurt.
If new in the box collectors will be interested.

This plane has been ran. The engine was sticky but a little oil and it freed right up. I just seen on eBay a reproduction of the operating manual and I could read that it’s literally built to add a second engine. They sold a kit for it so actually it should increase the value, I would think. But you know how “value” can change. I wonder..as us “Boys” get old and the newer generation won’t even know what a control line model even is..will the value drop even more?

crankbndr Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:24 pm

this sold in Dec. eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225911220663?hash=item34995ba9b7:g:7lwAAOSwMOxlb0mD&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8AIzsY3MMe%2Bpyv%2B9XYHEQLDYut6v4t10KyHynkd8DH2HEhcussCW9l%2BtXJUXa0z9NTyTQULTBWxgNquXLv66RTMdiDhqd%2BzA1VsntItbVgwUxZyaOD6QE2wJHJGVdoAG0wuqkA3yjZf9VX4hUfNeJVR5a%2Fwx0zLpBoJge8m9dpIGBZwb7DyA6TB91PrQfKkcHK%2BiIVVf4aiHRYxKoWxx3UofypR%2FAWDE7yaIxSh9%2BVPT94LsoMdx4BNLTB4l1H8IRirgsYGF4emOwQaGHP0p5e7DGWBNsYb7Nf7iDvZs23d6pzzCnwcGzIQkByRgRYabXg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9bG37eUYw

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close Screen95

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 6:28 pm

Yep, I’m working on it now. Looking for another engine to replace the dummy engine.

Ou812 Mon Dec 25, 2023 9:14 pm

No clue how to post a photo but I found the best way to get hot glue off is PB Blaster and lifting slightly with a screwdriver as it penetrates. Takes a few seconds per inch.

GallopingGhostler Tue Dec 26, 2023 12:20 am

Ou812 wrote:No clue how to post a photo

On the forum home page, click on the [Board of Education] link. You will find a thread on how to post photos (graphic files included).

There is a several day wait period for new members. Jacob @Admin did this to help curtail spammers. Be patient, then the extra button in the menu will appear.

BTW, Welcome

to the forum!

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Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close

Re: Wen Mac P-38 on Ebay: So, it didn't get to $1000, But Close