Hello my friends,

Through out my travels through out the lower 48 states, I try to stop off at antiques stores once in a while in search of any kind of aviation antiques, collectables, and memorabilia. Well, with my luck I haven't been able to find much. And about every store personnel/owner I ask, they say this type of stuff is hard to come by. They usually have buyers waiting for anything aviation and marine that comes in their doors or the stuff fly's off the shelf the second it get's put on display

Do any of my fellow BCPers like to search for this kind of stuff and have some leads they are interested in sharing? Specific web sites to poke around? Any antique shop's with lot's of aviation stuff?

I'm kind of just looking for small cheap stuff right now. But wouldn't mind spending a little extra for something really cool that I must have (or didn't know I really needed ).

Thanks guys and gals!

I stumbled upon this place in Laguna Beach, one of the best aviation memorabilia shops I've ever been in. You're not likely to find any deals there as everything is collectible (and they know it), but they have some really neat stuff. Even for just browsing it's worth the stop if you're in the area. My chickie got me an autographed copy of Baa Baa Black Sheep from there - Pappy Boyington was one of the all-time great Marines.

Aviation Arts Gallery
533 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Vick wrote:I stumbled upon this place in Laguna Beach, one of the best aviation memorabilia shops I've ever been in. You're not likely to find any deals there as everything is collectible (and they know it), but they have some really neat stuff. Even for just browsing it's worth the stop if you're in the area. My chickie got me an autographed copy of Baa Baa Black Sheep from there - Pappy Boyington was one of the all-time great Marines.

Aviation Arts Gallery
533 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Thanks Vick! I'll be back down in SoCal later next month and I'll check it out.

FYI...... http://lagunabeach.patch.com/listings/aviation-arts-gallery-2 (about the only link I can find for this store)

Type the following search in google. antique aircraft site:craigslist.org That will return a list of craigslist ads containing "antique aircraft". I just ran the search and found some cool german binoculars http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/atq/2597650983.html in Seattle. I also searched vintage aircraft site:craigslist.org and found 30 gagues in New York. http://longisland.craigslist.org/clt/2582942075.html.

Typically you search craigslist regionally (or by city). This search gives you all regions and all cities. Obviously if you are looking for something specific like "swarovski scope" you change the first words accordingly. [url]swarovski scope site:craigslist.org[/url]. The latter search turned up the following scope in Edwards, CO. http://rockies.craigslist.org/spo/2603248973.html

Now the trick is to avoid getting burned by the seller. I've had good luck doing this and have not been burned yet. With the network of BCP members you have access to you can probably find someone nearby to see the transaction through. I have found most reliable sellers willing to take the item over to a friend (reasonable distance) so he/she can make sure the item is as described. If they are a good friend they will pay for it and ship it to you. Sometimes you talk to a seller and you know they are the real deal.

58 Skylane,

I have a bunch of chrome ashtrays with different airplanes mounted on them that I bought on ebay 10-12 years ago thinking that smoking related things might get valuable and combined with the fact that I like airplanes. In reality, I don't think they have appreciated much.

Hanging in my airstrip "scale house" is a 5ft US Air 737 that once was in a Washington DC airport.

My "prized" piece is a highly detailed (over 3ft) all metal Ford Tri-Motor that was supposed to be used as a movie prop? It is not the one you see for sale now days. Mine is bigger. I have never seen another. I was told that there were three of these made back in the 1930's.

Now that I am all but unemployed, maybe I should open a small antique shop and reduce inventory?

Vick wrote:I stumbled upon this place in Laguna Beach, one of the best aviation memorabilia shops I've ever been in. You're not likely to find any deals there as everything is collectible (and they know it), but they have some really neat stuff. Even for just browsing it's worth the stop if you're in the area. My chickie got me an autographed copy of Baa Baa Black Sheep from there - Pappy Boyington was one of the all-time great Marines.

Aviation Arts Gallery
533 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, CA 92651

I haven't been to Laguna Beach in over 15 years, but I'll bet everything in the shop is expen$ive.

I have a copy of Baa Baa Black Sheep that I bought from Greg Boyington in Oshkosh ca. 1984 or so. He autographed it to me. He looked really tired and maybe sick at the time and died shortly thereafter. This book is a posession that I would NOT agreeably part with.