I have a magazine advertisement from
Christmas 1949 that listed the Model 28 at $74.95, the Model 61 at $94.95, and the Model 115 at $49.95. 95 bucks was a lot of money in 1949!
Yes, there was a Model 27.....
Produced in 1945 and 1946, it was Hoover's first new "post war" model. It looked a lot like the Model 28, but different colors....
Not sure, but I think these were made after 1980. They are my Eureka 1470B and 1489A. I found them NIB not so long ago. They are great vacuums, light and powerful.
I wasn't aware of the problem with the 305's bearings but that certainly could be the case. Yes, it does have the little flimsy plastic film that covers the headlight opening, just like the 28's.