ERTL "Wings of Texaco" 1929 Lockheed Air Express Diecast Bank — 1st in Series

The first release in ERTL's long-running Wings of Texaco series, this diecast model recreates the 1929 Lockheed Air Express flown by Capt. Frank M. Hawks. Finished in Texaco's signature fire-engine red with white striping and registration NR 7955, the model carries the full livery — "TEXACO 5" along the fuselage, the winged Texaco star on the tail and wing, and the company name on the underside. The wing-mounted radial engine sits behind a free-spinning ivory propeller, and the spatted landing gear and high-mounted cantilever wing capture the streamlined silhouette of the original record-setter. The model functions as a coin bank and comes in its original illustrated box.

The full-scale aircraft was purchased from Lockheed Aircraft Co. of Burbank, California on January 25, 1929 for $18,040. On June 27–29 of that year, Hawks piloted it from New York to Los Angeles and back in a record 36 hours, 48 minutes, and 48 seconds — approximately 90,000 miles of total flight before the aircraft was lost in an accident in West Palm Beach, Florida, in January 1930.

CONDITION

Excellent. Previously assembled; no damage to the model. Box shows shelf wear, edge rubbing, and surface creasing consistent with age and storage.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Maker: ERTL — "Wings of Texaco" series, 1st in Series
• Stock Number: 3801
• Part Number: 3801-10UO
• Copyright: ©1993 The ERTL Company, Inc., Dyersville, Iowa 52040-0500 USA
• Subject: 1929 Lockheed Air Express, NR 7955 "TEXACO 5"
• Function: Diecast coin bank
• Composition: Diecast
• Licensed: Officially licensed Texaco product
• Parts made in Mexico and USA; assembled in Mexico
• Model Length: 8"
• Model Width (wingspan): 11"
• Full-scale wingspan: 42' 6"
• Full-scale gross weight: 4,375 lbs.
• Full-scale top speed: 176 mph (with cowl)
• Includes: Original illustrated box