Cox TD-1 1953/55 ish on ebay

rsv1cox Sun Aug 06, 2023 1:46 pm

or was until I won it with a single bid. I expected snipers but they didn't show. Hundreds below what these go for, but that tape around the cowl..............

These early Cox models have never attracted but curiousity finally snagged me.

I believe a Space Bug engine?

Sellers description:

I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THIS PLANE, IT WAS BOUGHT MANY YEARS AGO, I AM NOW 65 AND IT"S BEEN IN THE ATTIC FOR YEARS AND I NEVER PLAN ON TRYING TO FLY IT.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SIZE THE ENGINE IS, THE PROP IS HARD TO TURN AND I DO NOT WONT TO FORCE IT,
I BELEIVE THE PROP IS WOOD, THE WINGS SEEM TO BE ALUMINUM

I AM INCLUDING A WARNING PAPER AND A STARTER WIRE, I AM NOT SURE THEY GO WITH THE PLANE BUT THEY WERE WITH IT SO I AM INCLUDING THEM

I AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE SHIPPING WILL BE, IT IS NOT HEAVY BUT WILL HAVE TO BE IN A LARGE BOX BECAUSE OF THE SIZE, I WILL SEND THE CHEAPEST WAY POSSIBLE

*****SOMEONE ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE TO THE WINGS, I DO NOT SEE ANY BUT I ADDED MORE PICTURES, YOU WILL HAVE TO JUDGE FOR YOURSELF, YOU ARE BUYING AS IS, THANKS

THERE IS ALSO BLACK ELECTRICAL TAPE ON THE NOSE, I DO NOT KNOW WHY IT IS THERE AND I AM NOT GOING TO TRY TO TAKE IT OFF.

Edit add:

What the heck, made an offer which was accepted. Vac-U-formed I think? Space Bug Jr.

crankbndr Sun Aug 06, 2023 4:59 pm

Wow nice models! They had Space Bugs engines. Mark B yahoo page had all info and now gone. miss it The wing looks good.
The later TD3 had Bee engines.

The link to Martin Hepperle engine manuals in the docs page is only the manuals, there is much more info.
from his manuals page click "back to home page" at bottom. Menu on left home page click Cox engines.
Much info there.
Or maybe it just my browser IDK

crankbndr Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:21 pm

Martin s home page, I think he is a genus. For those who don't know. I have had trouble with links to his page before.

His Cox page

rsv1cox Sun Aug 06, 2023 5:52 pm

Thanks for the links CB, somehow I had them at one time but they disappeared.

I know little to nothing about these, a gap in my Cox knowledge. Never laid an eye or hand on one. The aluminum wing has my attention. Must be very thin and dentable. The bid starting point was reasonable, give-away when compared to others like it and it had no watchers.

The Space Bug Jr. had many watchers so I was surprised when the seller accepted my offer. A collector would not have accepted it, but this fellow has thousands (2265) of items for sale so I was pretty sure that he would. Most of my ebay buys now are offers on BIN sales.

Nice clean plane. All plastic?

crankbndr Sun Aug 06, 2023 6:52 pm

The TD3 is very nice, box an all. I think they color matched the engine tank to the model, the TD1 is maybe red tank.
All plastic and I have seen them brittle, handle with care. That's one I would collect, very nice.

Mark Boesen Sun Aug 06, 2023 11:16 pm

Hi Bob, very nice!!! Love the TD-3, looks great, need a red Kaysun prop and some light cleaning and you're good.
The TD-1 must of done a figure '9' and was repaired (LG is backward) yep, that would be Space Bug, correct prop, but somebody added a TD-4, early PT-19 spinner. Should be like the TD-3
Take care,
Mark

Mark Boesen Sun Aug 06, 2023 11:19 pm

TD-3, is prior to '56, second version, they did yellow with red and red with yellow trim. Flying Circus version came out with Babe Bee.

GallopingGhostler Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:23 am

I'm just curious, but has anyone ever tried to duplicate the outlines of the TD-1, TD-2, or TD-3 in balsa or balsa/foam? Seems they had nice proportions. For the day, to those who could afford them, seems that in competent hands, they probably flew very nicely.

The later RTF's in hard plastic, although they looked realistic, were rather fragile, easy to destroy upon a bad landing.

That is one of the reasons why I have not been a prolific collector, because of cost and fragility, loving things more practical, but that is just me.

Mark Boesen Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:39 am

Mark Boesen Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:47 am

crankbndr wrote:Wow nice models! They had Space Bugs engines. Mark B yahoo page had all info and now gone. miss it The wing looks good.
The later TD3 had Bee engines.

These were in production till '58, very first version had matching color painted wing, then contrasting colors and soon just aluminum, not sure of time, maybe a year?

The link to Martin Hepperle engine manuals in the docs page is only the manuals, there is much more info.
from his manuals page click "back to home page" at bottom. Menu on left home page click Cox engines.
Much info there.
Or maybe it just my browser IDK

Mark Boesen Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:49 am

rsv1cox Mon Aug 07, 2023 7:01 am

Hi Mark, Thanks for chiming in. Takes a lot to pull you out of the woodwork, but when we do.........Wow! All good stuff. I have a white Kaysun prop, but I don't think I have red. Will have to check. Seems they color coded the engines tank to the plane, (TD3) control handle too. I have spare engines for both including yellow for the TD-3.

Box is pretty grimey, looks like black mold spotting. Not sure how to deal with that. Coming from dry Houston Tx. so we will see. Restoring the box is half the fun. Plane will be pretty easy.

Mark Boesen Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:58 am

I think these photos are the same plane, i think some red w/ yellow (yours) had red engines? Probably was suppose to color match, but who knows, ? Also, looks like white or yellow prop, but i've seen red props, not sure if red prop is authentic.

rsv1cox Mon Aug 07, 2023 12:23 pm

Thanks Mark. I believe that this propeller is a Kaysun.

A part of this auction.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325665163021

GallopingGhostler Mon Aug 07, 2023 1:46 pm

TD-1 sold in Jun 1953 for $19.95 suggested retail. Today that is $217 US. It sort of reminds me of Walt Musciano's Scientific Lucky Racer.

From https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=4373

Of course, Walt's hollow log although pretty, would not have the performance potential of the TD- 1,2, or 3. The TD-3 still is a beautiful aircraft.

Levent Suberk Mon Aug 07, 2023 2:58 pm

TD 3 with Babe Bee engine. Sold for 300 $ at https://www.auctionmc.com/auction-lot/cox-thimble-drone-td-3-airplane-with-original-box_0D440D09B0

rdw777 Mon Aug 07, 2023 4:09 pm

Those are really nice Bob, Plus always interesting to learn new Cox history….I always liked the lines of the TD-3….I didn’t realize they went from SBJ to Babe Bee along the way…

Mark Boesen Mon Aug 07, 2023 11:42 pm

rsv1cox wrote:Thanks Mark. I believe that this propeller is a Kaysun.

A part of this auction.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325665163021

rdw777 Tue Aug 08, 2023 7:08 am

That TD-1 with its polished out wing is just beautiful Very Happy

latole Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:04 am

crankbndr wrote:Wow nice models! They had Space Bugs engines. Mark B yahoo page had all info and now gone. miss it The wing looks good.
The later TD3 had Bee engines.

The link to Martin Hepperle engine manuals in the docs page is only the manuals, there is much more info.
from his manuals page click "back to home page" at bottom. Menu on left home page click Cox engines.
Much info there.
Or maybe it just my browser IDK

$20 in 1953 = $225 in 2022

https://westegg.com/inflation/

latole Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:32 am

rsv1cox wrote:or was until I won it with a single bid. I expected snipers but they didn't show. Hundreds below what these go for, but that tape around the cowl..............

These early Cox models have never attracted but curiousity finally snagged me.

I believe a Space Bug engine?

You got a very, very good deal. It sells for twice as much and more.

Congrat

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325751179383?hash=item4bd8488877%3Ag%3ANq8AAOSwIFlkxoWW&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4LlbyPy6s2NzOkOAYAVjd46w5n9x7NAWZ76eDrtYxVj3WOgbO5D5smjGSflD4Ob3ODwUE1Xb9n33zeFjEdh3kYwKQEBEleyPCK67pt6AoYXBPJYs6kgKXc1H5jee9EUZTSXNMvg6rP8SRJYoYhR7%2F3JZOkIyv4QBf29trsM546p0RcSfkTJS9r9Isw6KT9y0bx7emiwcDxC0ZfOG5NAwNHl9GpaI2jJrcVHpwHmafxErdA5soZ9nmaAKhvkkFe8VrMqhXrZLDI0ksMON6UT%2BAhUQltgZu68EvimmhqAjnuY3%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR6SPidy6Yg&nma=true&si=IrwfXuX8TQqnDe4Whf0yJGHIIjg%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Levent Suberk Tue Aug 08, 2023 10:50 am

Bob bought that one? Good buying. Very Happy

Levent Suberk Tue Aug 08, 2023 11:12 am

Landing gear mounted reverse. Huh...

rsv1cox Tue Aug 08, 2023 11:58 am

Levent Suberk wrote:Landing gear mounted reverse.

Yes, I will have to change it around, it should arrive tomorrow. Looks like the same type gear that Gilbert used on their models.

rsv1cox Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:09 pm

Levent Suberk wrote:Bob bought that one? Good buying.

Yes, same plane that is in Latole's post.

Strange, I was the only bidder, but this parts plane with a very dented wing just went for $190.00 with 13 bids. Sometimes you just get lucky, or are at the right place at the right time.

Got a kick out of the sellers ebay picture, checking at the extreme bottom. Sometimes it's just necessary to crop pictures. Smile

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