Found a 1899 tail at a garage sale

[steve p]

This was found this past weekend at a garage sale. I was on my way to a steam show and stopped at a sale about a mile from the show. I think I am correct about this being for the 1899 aermotor.
Thanks for looking.
Steve

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[windybob]

Nice find!

[steve p]

I thought so too Bob.

[larrychilton]

The tailbone does appear to be an 1899 model; however, the vane is not. Vanes from that era were slightly V-tailed and the lettering was like many of the original old style.

Larry

[steve p]

Thanks Larry. I didn't think the vane sheet was original. I was pretty sure about the tailbone though. I was happy to find it.

[Ron Stauffer]

The vane lettering is an interesting mix. "AERMOTOR" done in a straight line was only done that way in 12' and larger Chicago era or later FASA Aermotor. The "Co" was never in that spot on a vane and the O appears vertically squashed rather than horizontally squashed that was common in open gears.

It's a wonder it didnt have AEROMOTOR on it...

Ron Stauffer
Montrose CO

[steve p]

Ron, I thought I had seen the black lettering some early vanes. As you see, it has had repairs done to it.
For 6 bucks I wasn't going to be picky. The Chicago lettering was hand done for sure. The aermotor lettering and the company letters are done from a stensil. I was happy to find it and bring it home.

Steve

[PaulV]

A nice find for sure Steve!

[hedgerow]

Can't beat that for six bucks.

[windybob]

I had heard, or read, somewhere that only the 10 ft Aermotor tail lettering was black. I don't know why that one size would be any different. However, there was a 10 footer in Fairview Ok that had black lettering.