The Air-Way Super Chief Arrives!!

[air-waycharlie]

Some of you know that I purchased an Air-Way Super Chief in February. It came complete with hose, tools, bags and original boxes.

It had been used but well maintained and still had the original cored, wheels and bag.

It needed some, "spa treatment", to look as good as it's sister machines in my collection.

So, finally, after 3 months of getting her pretty, here is the debut.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Now a front shot looking down.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Turned on with dirt finder headlight illuminated.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Okay.............where is the dirt?

 

[air-waycharlie]

Brush roll with the infamous beater bars. Beautiful design way ahead of it's time.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The arrow here shows the switch used to turn on/off the brush roll motor. Remember, this is a twin motored Air-Way!

A great improvement over the earlier model 35, the Chief. You had to unplug the brush roll motor from the main motor to use the attachments.

On the Super Chief, you just flicked the toggle switch, turned the swivel power dome, attached the hose to the hollow handle and voila! You had above the floor cleaning with wands and tools.

Very innovative for 1936.

 

[crevicetool]

Holy freakin' cow Charlie!!!!!

That unit is just absolutely gorgeous!!! Any chance it might be available for looking at at any upcoming events maybe huh?

WOW!

Rick

 

[air-waycharlie]

This locking device allowed the rug nozzle to swivel to reach under furniture, when unlocked. When locked, the rug nozzle stayed in one position for rug cleaning.

(Sorry the pic is not clearer.)

 

[air-waycharlie]

My Vintage Air-Way Line Up.........

Here are 3 of the rarest Air-Way's on the planet.

From RIGHT to left is the first twin motored upright, the Chief that debuted in 1935. This is the one with the, "reverse", revolving brush roll. It used the wood pulp cellulose paper bag, (patented by Air-Way in 1920), and had the Air-Way Indicator swivel dome that allowed suction through the hollow handle. The hose was attached to the handle and then you added the wands and tools.

Then, came the Super Chief, circa. 1936 with improvements that I mentioned above. This time the brush roll went around in the traditional way. The head light was added as well. Minor changes were made to the rug nozzle. The hose still attached to the hollow handle.

The last of the, "arguably", great Air-Way's is the DirtMaster, circa. 1938. It had a single motor with twin fans and a unique 2 belt design for it's time. It also had a dirt finder headlight. Instead of the hose being fitted to a hollow handle, there was a small opening on the side of the motor and the hose slipped over a tube. The suction was diverted from the brush roll to the tube.

In an article in one of the professional vacuum magazines the author was quoted as saying in regards to the DirtMaster, "collectors would mortgage their homes to obtain one."

I am happy to report I have acquired all 3 of these vacuums in the last five years and no mortgaging was necessary! (But, it is nice to know I have a nice little treasure trove!)

 

[air-waycharlie]

And, lastly, here I am with my baby's! Since I got serious about collecting some number of years ago, these are the three vacuums that I have always wanted.

Talk about good Karma! I can now die a happy man! (Not for a while anyway.)

I feel extremely fortunate to have found these vacuums and they are in a loving home. All work perfectly but they will not be used other than for conventions or mini-meets.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Rick,

The Super Chief may show up in Austin.................

You will have to wait and see. If it does, I will probably do a, "Show And Tell", about it.

Thanks for your kind words.

Charlie

 

[aeoliandave]

Holy Grandmother of Paper Bag Vacuums, Charlieman!!!

Stunning and awesome.

Dave

 

[compactelectra]

OK

Where are pictures of the attachments and hose?

I~

 

[airwaylady]

MAKE WAY FOR AIR-WAY!!

Charlie,

So happy to see you beaming over your beautiful Air-Way Models that look as good as the day they were built!
Was happy to help with the restorations!
Hope to see the "Super Chief" in Austin!
Happy Vacuuming!!

Tania

 

[air-waycharlie]

Dave,

Thank you for your comments!

Ida,

Pictures of the hose and attachments are available each for $49.95 each via my Paypal account.

Kidding of course.................pics of those tomorrow. I'm too worn out to post tonight.

(Still look good in my 2-piece suit with tres fabu sunburst broach!)

H.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Tania my sweet darling friend and sister,

THANK YOU for all your help with the restorations. Your knowledge and love of the Air-Way product has been invaluable to me.

We share a love of the Air-Way vacuums and in part that brought us together. Then we formed something special on our own.

I look forward to seeing you in 3 weeks in Austin and I kind of think the Super Chief may make an appearance! So many in our club like the vintage Air-Way's.

See you soon!

Charlie XO

 

[petek]

Everything looks fabulous. The vacs too.

 

[petek]

.

 

[air-waycharlie]

Pete,

Spoken like a true smart ass! (Ya know I love ya like my luggage.)