I seemed to have caused an ‘interesting’ debate when I posted a message about the ‘aviation furniture’ that my friend makes. Not quite sure what the heck people are gonna make of this:
I saw it in the flesh last night, and whatever comments may come back from people, I have to say it looks absolutely fantastic…the pictures really don’t do it justice. It’s an expensive piece but by God, the amount of work he’s put in to it probably means he’s working to minimum wage, lol. I was also gobsmacked at the cost of getting the aluminimum base made up, no wonder people are so keen to get hold of aircraft for scrap.
By: mantog - 2nd November 2006 at 22:50
lol, she needn’t even know it was a compressor stage, just say it’s some fancy modern art design
By: David Burke - 2nd November 2006 at 22:42
My average semi has had Tiger Moth rudders , T-6 rudders and all manner of other ‘aircraft junk’ as my wife describes it! She would be delighted if I came home with that coffee table !
By: mantog - 2nd November 2006 at 22:36
Well, this is all good constructive feedback. I can see the table is always gonna be controversial…it’s a case of someone wants a showpiece of aviation furniture…where they gonna get it? Ikea? MFI? Who’s gonna take the risk of spending 100s of hours and a lot of outlay making something like this?
I honestly haven’t seen anything else like this stuff apart from that Moto Art place in America (who my mate hadn’t heard of until well into this venture so no accusations of copying, lol!!) and now that radial engine table further up the thread. Personally I can see some of his work being more suited to a plush office that belongs to a company with links to aviation, or maybe a contemporary apartment with minimalist decor, all chrome and marble etc, rather than your average houshold.I don’t mean that in a snotty way, just can’t imagine a piece like that ‘working’ in a typical family semi with 3 piece suite a flowery curtains!
By: FMK.6JOHN - 2nd November 2006 at 19:32
As an amature collector IMHO the seat is in fine shape and would be worthy of the asking price if that is what you really wanted.
Lets face it if you were to spend a number of years around aerojumbles, scraping nuckles and swearing trying to get boxes of bits to fit together I bet you could end up spending 750 and end up with something that looks like the real thing but isn’t.
As for the coffee table, there is no imagination or creativity with this piece that would warrent such a high asking price but then like others have said, if thats what they really want and can spare the cash then thats their choice.
Regards,
John.
By: Rocketeer - 2nd November 2006 at 19:18
Not for that sort of money!!! Way to much for an oddity, even serious seat collectors have mentioned that its over valued.
Really?!
It seems pretty complete and quite nice too! If I needed a complete seat, that’s not too bad a price!
By: David Burke - 2nd November 2006 at 13:19
6o million plus people in this country – he either has an expensive coffee table for himself or it will light the fire of someone. I rescued a Canberra nose a few years ago from a rather strange guy in Glostershire – he sold all sorts of industrial junk to people buying warehouse apartments in London for vast amounts!
By: Moggy C - 2nd November 2006 at 13:17
If it took the guy 200 hours to make as he suggests then I don’t find £24 / hour labour charge excessive – not that I’d give it house room, but, if it floats your boat…
Moggy
By: Phantom Phixer - 2nd November 2006 at 13:09
Ive got to agree Bruce. Some of it is nice looking stuff but with due respect a lot of the main components are pretty much scrap anyway. ie they have a very limited use. The table although atractive would have limited demand and that would be reduced I guess by the price. Ive seen aircraft for sale to restore to static condition for less than that and I know which Id rather have.
But saying that its each to their own and it wouldnt do for us all to like the same thing.
By: Bruce - 2nd November 2006 at 13:04
The seat price seems a little high – but right ball park.
As for the furniture, and with the greatest of respect to the creator, it looks like a case of filling a niche that isnt there. For that sort of money, you can get some seriously nice bespoke furniture.
Bruce
By: Jamie-Southend - 2nd November 2006 at 12:59
Tell me if I am speaking out of turn but is that grossly expensive?
By: mantog - 2nd November 2006 at 12:50
I’d have though that it’s rarity would have added to the value? Not that I have a clue about bang seat prices……but I can’t imagine there are many more NA 39 seats on the market! At the end of the day, it’s a seat from a prototype British aircraft…and a cool aircraft at that.
By: JetBlast - 2nd November 2006 at 11:34
Well it’s very nice but the price… I’d rather have the Bucc seat.
Not for that sort of money!!! Way to much for an oddity, even serious seat collectors have mentioned that its over valued.
By: Mark12 - 2nd November 2006 at 11:32
Pah, thats only a baby Stearman engine, its missing a couple of cylinders…..
Salt and Pepper?
Mark
By: Yak 11 Fan - 2nd November 2006 at 09:09
Pah, thats only a baby Stearman engine, its missing a couple of cylinders…..
By: DazDaMan - 2nd November 2006 at 08:44
How about this?
(Russ Harmuth pic)
Stearman Engine Coffee Table.
A piece from the past, the real thing, complete with carburetor! All parts have been plated and polished, powder-coated or, in the case of the valve covers, highly polished aluminum. This engine has been assembled from non-airworthy parts and the internal parts left out to save weight on the carpet.
The top is 1/2″ thick safety glass that rests on the tops of the (padded) spark plugs. Absolutely the top of the line item for your aviation room, impeccable and beautiful.
By: mantog - 2nd November 2006 at 00:41
Yes, the Bucc seat is rather cool. He’d mentioned a while ago that he was getting his hands on something rather unique but I didn’t expect a bang seat from an NA 39!
I’ve just had a quick look on the web for the ‘plane it came out of and came up with this
http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/NA39_XK489_files/0_NA39_XK489.html
Intrigued about the demo to German chancellor….were the Germans thinking about buying?????
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November 1, 2006 at 11:19 pm