Old Gassers:

I wanted to let everyone know we making reproduction shoebox globes. A few years ago we started making Erie tops, and we used the same process to now make these shoe box globe bodies. Matt Alvarez contacted me about making these and donated a top to duplicate. The mold has come out excellent, very happy with it. Its pretty much an exact copy. We again are using glass-simulating urethane so that it lights up real nice.

I contacted Lance at Pogo about making silk screened glass lenses for these. Definitely something he's up for doing but would be nice to know if there are demand for those and which ones. There are other folks that have made the lenses in the past too.

I also plan on reproducing some of the bases, most likely out of plastic as well. Its a little complicated with the bases since there are so many different versions depending on the pump.

I think it'll be into the new year before we make tops in quantity. It be really helpful to know what the demand is for these since the materials are expensive. I expect to sell these for about the same price as the Erie tops, about $350 for the bodies. Feedback welcome via this post or PM, if you are interested please let me know. Also like to know if lenses are wanted and if bases are desirable?

Special thanks to Matt for being so helpful on this project!

Paul

I'd sign up for two if I could find a pump for it to go on?

I'm definitely in for some, are they going to be glass or resin?

Gas stuff,

These are resin. Same stuff as the Erie tops I've made before. It's a clear urethane that's used to simulate glass. I add just a little white to make it look like milk glass. It's really good stuff, lights up nice.

Paul

Well I'm definitely in for one,if it looks good we will most likely buy more Thank you Paul and please let me know when I can buy one

Paul, I'd surely be interested in one at least. Please keep me posted!

Funny how this stuff moves around. If that is the top that Ed Steagall sold Matt, it started out in Sturgeon Bay. It was still in the original box when I got it. Should be a good demand for them. Good luck.

John, the globe pictured is the first resin one. The one I loaned to do the mold was not the N.O.S one. That one is still on one of my pumps and the box is stored away.

Thanks John. I think folks will like these, mold is working really well. Paul

All,

I've been working on two lens designs for the repro shoebox globes. Just finished the graphics, here they are below. Tried to make these as faithful to the original design as I could and they will be marked too.

I'm going to get these made in low quantities by Lance over at Pogogas. Not the decal route, fired and baked lenses just like the originals. If you think either of these two designs are something you may be interested in, please let me know, as I may be able to increase the quantity before Lance makes them in December. I was going to start out with just six sets of each but could increase the order if there's demand.

Molding these shoeboxes is going well, also preparing to make more Erie tops too. First shipments going out next week.

Thanks!
Paul

By popular demand, I'm adding this one too...

Paul, please put me down for one globe body and a set of the last lens pictured orange and black stripe! Thanks-Eric

Got you covered Eric, check your PM

Paul, good job of picking a Tydol Flying A lens to reproduce, IMO...

Cover of May 1955 issue of Flying A News(sorry about the glare):

image upload no limit

Thanks Bob, that picture is way cool! Nice shoe boxes!

-Paul

I've had a lot of questions about the lenses. Just wanted to clarify whats up with them. I'm having all three designs (from above) made at Pogo but in low quantities. Lance's work is really outstanding and I can wait to see them! Should be done before years end. Lance's process of making them is essentially the same as the original process, screened and baked. They will be marked of course.

Right now before Lance actually makes these, I can increase the order quantity pretty easily. If you are looking to just buy lenses (not bodies) of these three designs, tell me now and I'll get you covered and add them to the order. A set of lenses will be $125. Once the order comes in I probably wont be selling the lenses separate from the bodies because I'll only have limited supply.

Thanks!
Paul

Here is one of the new bodies with original lenses, next to an original body and on a pump lit up.

Thanks for posting this Matt. Its really cool to see one with lenses AND on a pump for the first time!

Started molding two of the bases now for the shoe box globes. Heres some pictures, original base on left, repro on right. Might come in handy for those missing the bases for the shoebox globes. Paul

Nice job Paul. Innovative, just like your dad. Say hi to him for me.

talked to pogo said they were making glass lenses for you would be up for 2 just purchased your shoebox globe. great piece! thanks

Thanks Jeff, glad you like your shoebox!

Lance at Pogo is doing a great job as always, anxious to see how those lenses turn out. There are three designs in the works, posted the designs earlier. Paul

Does the shoebox globe come with the base or bases? The globe is $350.00.Bases are ? Do I buy the lenses from Pogo? Are the lenses $125.00? I think you have a great item.. Can't wait to hear from you. Thank You, Dan.

Hi Dan,

The shoebox globe doesn't come with a base, the $350 is for the globe body.

The bases I've made a few of now, have two versions. I havent really set a price for those, if someone needs one for your pump best to just contact me and see what I have. Be around $100 depending on what your after.

The lenses are in pre-production. I have small orders with Pogo gas for three lens designs. If you get your order in before Lance at Pogo gas makes these for us, Im selling them for $125 a set. Lance is on the verge of making these if he hasnt started screening already! I plan on making full shoebox globes (with lenses) with the lenses I ordered for myself.

Lance can also make lenses for you if your looking for another design, I know he's making some extra blanks. I hope I'll be doing follow up orders with Lance for more lenses too, but it depends on demand. So far, so good. Thanks for your interest in this project!

Paul

Good news on the shoebox lenses. Lance is almost finished making them and I expect delivery in a few weeks. - Paul

Here's a low-res quick pictures of the glass being made by Pogo Gas. Not finished yet, but very interesting to see the glass being screened and in process. Lance is a very talented guy! Coming out great.

Paul

Lance (at Pogo) took a few shots with the lenses mounted to a repro shoebox body for us. Here's the pictures...

I havent recieved these yet, but should be soon. - Paul

Those look good!!

Thanks Dave!

We just received all of our shoebox lenses from Lance at Pogo. They look great, we are very happy with them! Now that we have the lenses, we are packaging up all of the pre-orders. Orders will be shipped out Monday.

Thanks
Paul

Sent you a PM ..Tom

For all the folks that bought pre-order lenses, the orders are all shipped off except for a few that are all prepped but shipping out Monday.

We have complete shoe boxes with lenses now, not many but some, if anybody would like one. Prices are:

Shoebox body only = $350 ($20 shipping)
Shoebox with a set of lenses = $480 ($25 shipping).

Thanks! Paul

Finally got some pictures all lit up.... hopefully we'll get some of the first buyers to post one on their pump!

Paul

We have a few sets of an additional lens design. It's orange ETHYL. Came out very nice, again done by Lance over at Pogo Gas.

Since I have just a few sets of this new design, only selling as complete units with shoebox bodies for right now.

Thanks!