Treasure trove of ‘boy’s toys’ went under the hammer
A HOARD of model helicopters and planes went under the hammer, raising a total of £2,278.
The thrilling collection belonged to Stephen Price, a plumber from Eglwysbach in the Conwy Valley.
He lived for his hobby but now, following his death at the age of just 59, the treasure trove was sold at an auction.
The lots including petrolengined aerobatic planes and gliders, two with wingspans of more than ten feet, were sold by Colwyn Bay auctioneers Rogers Jones Co on Tuesday.
“It’s an amazing collection of Stephen’s ‘boy’s toys’,” said auctioneer John Rogers Jones.
“He may have had a job which kept him down on the ground, but his heart was in the clouds, soaring with his radio-controlled planes.”
“The quality of his collection was such that offers were made by other enthusiasts to buy it outright, but his executors felt it was fairer for the planes and associated paraphernalia to be offered individually so that all those who knew him might have the chance to own something belonging to him.”
The collection was sold in 33 lots, the most valuable of which was the big helicopter - a Vairio radio control helicopter Long Ranger II Sky Fox X-treme mechanics, fully geared, estimated at £200-300, which sold for £340.
The Thunder Tiger Raptor V.2 class radio control helicopter (fully geared) sold on estimate for £100, as did the 11ft wingspan thermal soarer glider, which sold for £50.
A radio control scale helicopter Robinson R22, full geared with an OS engine, 2.4ghz radio gear, estimated between £150-200, sold for £185.
Cheshire-born Mr Price, of Rose Cottage, Eglwysbach, will be remembered as a heating engineer and plumber with his own business.
In his younger days he held a pilot’s licence to fly light aircraft.
His partner, Brenda, died in 2003. He died suddenly last October aged just 59.