Description

Topdog Presents: Always exciting stuff!

 

This is a substantial mahogany display model of the Martin M-130 "China Clipper," finished in Pan American Airways' classic silver, orange, and navy livery and marked NC14716, the registration carried by the actual China Clipper that inaugurated transpacific airmail service. The model measures roughly 21 inches across the wingspan and 15 inches nose to tail, in keeping with the standard 1/72 scale dimensions used by makers of this piece (Scalecraft and similar Philippine mahogany workshops have long produced this exact model), and it presents well from every angle apart from the issue noted below. The fuselage carries hand-painted "PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS SYSTEM" lettering along the flank, the PAA winged-globe logo and "CHINA CLIPPER" script on the nose, and crisp orange-and-navy pinstriping down the wings with the registration painted large on the upper wing surface. It's mounted on a polished chrome S-curve pedestal set into a dark wood base with a silver-lettered plaque reading "Martin M130 / PAA China Clipper / Scale 1/72."

The Martin M-130 was one of three "flying boats" built by the Glenn L. Martin Company for Pan American Airways in the mid-1930s, purpose-built for the airline's ambitious transpacific mail and passenger routes. The China Clipper, the lead aircraft of the type, made history on November 22, 1935, when it lifted off from Alameda, California, before a crowd of roughly 25,000 onlookers and flew the first scheduled transpacific airmail run to Manila by way of Hawaii, Midway, Wake, and Guam — a journey that took nearly 60 hours of flying time spread over about a week. At 26 tons and with a range that let it carry both fuel and up to 41 passengers on the long overwater legs, the M-130 outclassed the smaller Sikorsky S-42 that had scouted the route the year before, and the China Clipper's flight became a genuine media sensation, cementing Pan Am's image as the glamorous pioneer of international air travel and giving rise to the phrase "Clipper" as shorthand for Pan Am's entire fleet for decades afterward.

On to condition, sold as found and untested as a display piece (there's nothing here that "operates" beyond the fit of removable parts): the model is missing three of its four propellers — only the outboard front engine still carries its two-blade prop, the remaining three nacelles are bare. The wing floats, tail, and stabilizers all appear intact and correctly seated. There's light general wear consistent with a piece that's sat on a shelf for years — some faint scuffing along the underside of the wing near the fuselage root, and the wood base shows a couple of small handling marks and a faded signature or inscription scratched into the underside that doesn't detract from display. No box or paperwork included. Given the completeness of the airframe and the missing propellers, this is priced accordingly below what a complete example brings; buyers comfortable sourcing three replacement props (a common fix for these mahogany clippers) will end up with a striking, largely complete piece of Pan Am aviation history for well under retail on a new one.

.
 

FLAT RATE S&H $18 in the US

 

 

Click images to enlarge

Payment

Payments

We add $1 handling fees for every additional item in combined shipping. A total cost of a combined shipping will be calculated based on a  combined parcel weight and current USPS shipping rates.

Payments are due within 7 days of auctions close, no exceptions

We accept PayPal.

Shipping

Shipping in the US
WHEN: We try to ship in 2 days (excluding weekends and holidays).
COURIER: USPS 

International Shipping


WHEN: We try to ship the next day (excluding weekends and holidays)
COURIER: USPS
WHERE: We will ship Worldwide

CUSTOMS FEES if any are buyers responsibility. Customs form will show total you paid by PayPal and price for your purchases. We always mark parcels as "used toys".

Please do not ask us to low declared value, it defeats the whole idea of shipping fully insured parcel.

If you are paying by PayPal parcels with a total value

  • under $750 will be shipped by Registered Mail or First Class International (delivery time up to 4 weeks)
  • or if they weight over 4 pounds  will be shipped FULLY INSURED by Priority Mail (delivery time 6-14 days non guaranteed)
  • over $750 will be shipped FULLY INSURED by Express Mail with a signature confirmation (delivery time 4-7 days)

The International bidders might want to contact us about shipping cost prior to placing their bids.

We will ship to the address listed in your eBay profile under "Shipping Details". It's buyers responsibility to provide a correct shipping address. All returned parcels because of " a wrong shipping address" parcels will be re-sent at the buyer's expense.

Please do not ask us to ship to the address not listed in your eBay profile, we will not do it unless we know you from previous transactions.

Postal Insurance
All domestic parcels with a total over $50 (for Priority mail) and $25 (for First class and Parcel Select) will be insured: $1 per up to $100 of the total (for example if total is $256, postal insurance will be $3)
All International parcels will be insured (no exceptions): $2 per $100 of the total for example if total is $256,
postal insurance will be $6)

Lost & Damaged Claims

For lost parcels, you must wait for 21 days domestic (US) and 45 days for International shipments. For shipments to Italy, you must wait 60 days before filing. Damage claims can be filed immediately. All claims should be submitted within 90 days from the date of shipment. All International parcels will be insured with U-PIC, please do not file a "not received "claim with PayPal, just contact us to resolve your problem.

 

Terms of Sale

Refunds &  Returns
100% Satisfaction Guarantee that the item is original and meets the detailed description! Returns to be made within 30 Days of Receipt (including the cases when parcel was hold at PO by buyer's request), after that a sale considered to be final. Buyer pays return shipping cost.

If item was  damaged in transit you should not return it. You should submit an insurance claim to get a compensation. Please do not send us back broken items. If you need an assistance with your claim please contact us. 

All returned items should have a tracking number and be fully insured.
We reserve right to replace defective item or refund money (less S&H)

Pickups
We do not do any pickups.

As Is
If auction marked "AS IS", it means that Liquest Group Inc. shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness of, or defect in any lots, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. As no warranty is given with any lot, therefore no sale is invalid or avoidable by reason of any fault in any lot or by reason of any lot being incorrectly described (in the ad), and no compensation may be paid for any such fault or error in description or any imperfection not noted.