Air-Way......The Death Knell Has Sounded.........

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[charles~richard]

Last but not least, see

http://www.137.com/airway88/

 

[williamr1248]

Air-Way

Morgan,
I still have the original hose for the 66. Ours was maroon with blue stripping that matches the color of the machine. It leaks some air now but not bad for almost 50 years old. My favorite model was the 77. When I used my 66 today I had almost forgotten how quiet the old machines were when in use.

 

[aeoliandave]

The Air-Way Memorial Corner.

Fortunately, Felix will never know a world without Air-Way.

55, 77, 66 and a Green Godess.

Morgan, that's a stunning red striped green hose.

Oh Charles, another gorgeous floor polisher...*sigh*

 

[williamr1248]

Air-Way

Morgan,
That is one of the nicest 77 I have ever seen. Very beautiful example. When I was small people would tell you with pride that they owned an Air-Way Sanitizor. One of my earliest memories was when a friend of the family brought their 66. They came to visit our house and brought the Air-Way to show my parents. I was about three and still remember her setting it in the middle of the room and the hose revolving around the room. Of course my parents had to have an Air-Way!

 

[aeoliandave]

Lest we forget...

The Air-Way DUSTITE Sanitainer Dust Seal.

 

[vinvac]

Part of the Model 66 Instruction Manual

 

[vinvac]

more

 

[vinvac]

more

 

[vinvac]

more

 

[vinvac]

Not only did my grandmother defrost the refridge but she also use it to dry her hair!

 

[vinvac]

What was once a Thriving company!!! So SAD!!!

 

[vinvac]

One last page. The complete model 66

 

[vinvac]

Rob,

Could you post a picture of the original hose...just for old time sake... (model 66)

Morgan

 

[charles~richard]

I only remember one household that had an AirWay. The lady's name was Marjorie Wroten and she had a 77. Back then, I thought it was an odd-looking vacuum and did not understand why it had four runners -- you see, she always used it in the horizontal position, never standing upright, so I did not understand the function of the four runners.

 

[charles~richard]

P.S. To aeoliandave --- I am pretty sure that Electrolux made this polisher for AirWay. I don't see how it could have happened any othe way without AirWay getting sued for patent infringement.

You see, the "innards" of the two machines are IDENTICAL. And they SOUND exactly the same. You will note the revolving brush is four-sided instead of five, but its construction is the same as the Electrolux, even the way the brush attaches to the spindle; and then, there's the outer circular "splash guard" brush. It also came on with a felt buffing pad and a snap-on lambswool pad. Sound familiar?! One "extra" it had was a little wooden knob you could screw into the side of the housing when using it to buff automobiles.

The design of the AirWay polisher is beautiful and more 'angular' than the Electrolux. I should take a photo of it directly above so you can see what I mean. Its housing is made of polished aluminum. When it's buffed out, it sparkles like a gem.

P.P.S., this is the ONLY one I have ever seen, so I imagine they're as scarce as "Hens' Teeth."

 

[charles~richard]

More Air-Way Stuff

Here's a strange Air-Way 77 that someone sent me who found my site. Anyone seen another one like this? I am pretty sure the bizarre wheeled cart is original as it is just too elaborate a thing for some sweet doting hubby to have crafted together in his workshop. Isn't it wild how it thrusts the machine up into the air, making it appear as though it's about to take off into space!

 

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[charles~richard]

[No message]

 

[aeoliandave]

Fascinating deductive reasoning, Charles. Absent eyewitness documantation, it's these nuggets of supposition that can only come from direct study of the engineered innards and I would say you've nailed it. I wondered about its Clydesdale hoof lower houseing shape so similar to the Turbotool polisher foot. A screw in handle on the side is brilliant and addresses the awkward two-handed grip required otherwise, as shown in that Mechanix Illustrated article on the Electrolux Turbotool attachments a while back. I luv that article - it proves the existance of such rarely seen devices...which we fervant fans can look forward to sniffing out as the years roll by.

But can you imagine hauling your spouse's precious vacuum cleaner, hose and an extension powercord down to the sandy dockside to polish out the barnicled hull of the family yacht? Thank goodness I found those Black & Decker Versapak batteries for Pete or he'd have to find all those turbotool accesories for his garage woodworking shop and the yardwork and drilling pilot holes to put up more shelves. LOL

 

[charles~richard]

Original bags!

 

[charles~richard]

This can is huge! It stands about 10" tall and is about 5" in diameter!!

 

[charles~richard]

Here's a good shot of the top of the polisher.

 

[charles~richard]

Bag sealing stickers

 

[charles~richard]

Note the 1953 postmark and 3¢ stamp!

 

[charles~richard]

First this owner bought a 66...

 

[charles~richard]

... then traded it in on an 88 -- brand loyalty!