Speaking for the vintage models I gotta say I like them both equally since both will easily pull +80" a good 20" more than an Electrolux, Fairfax, Constellation, etc. The Filter Queen has a nice solid practical un-flashy 'old timey' look that is classic and lots of fun to play with cetain gimmicky attachments. Rolls smoothly across the floor or carpet and won't tip over. No bags but easy to empty that tub. Holds LOT of dust bunnies. Heavy wands are great for bicep development as is hefting the machine itself.
The Airway has that jazzy sputnik styling & lightweight aluminum casting and tools, nifty swivel hose turret, comes in bright cheerful colors, can be used on its side - all 4 sides for the 66 &77, standing upright has a smaller closet storage footprint than the FQ and originally a 10 foot hose. Because of stability it would benefit from a retrofit with Constellation or Compact stretchy hose stock if your room is large and you want to duplicate the advertising claims. Unique bags are a pleasure to install & dispose of and the long wands are lightweight for above the floor cleaning.
I do wonder why neither ever incorporated a cord winder - there's plenty of room inside the case for one.
In top form with all the filters & mufflers I find them both to be quiet. The Filter Queen exhausts through half an inch of felt and there's practicly no breeze (unless you uncap the blowhole in top. Airways exhaust sideways out the bottom into the carpet, or floor so that could be a problem in certain situations, tho it will blow the dust bunnies out to the four walls for easy detection.
Yes, the FQ cone paper is definitely thinner these days and is paper as opposed to the older cellulose fibre cones. Perhaps it blocks more fine dust but the Bean Counters are not concerned about the end user's cash outlays other than they want more.
Dave's Sunday morning 19 cents.
