yonezawa tin battery powered dc-7

[66three83]

Hello all, I am brand spanking new to this forum. I recently came across a Yonezawa tin dc-7. This is the the model that runs through several cycles ending with the stewardress appearing at the back door. It is Northwest livery and is in very good shape. However, I am in need of some parts. I am going to list them and if anyone knows where I can find them, I would greatly appreciate that knowledge. The plane does work, all functions perform as they should, and the condition of the fuselage and wings is very good, aside from some dents on the lower side of the wings.
So, anyways, here's my wish list.
2 propellers (missing a blade apiece)
Nose gear (completely missing)
On/Off switch (located on starboard side of wing top)
That's pretty much it. I would like to restore it to add to my small (but growing) collection of 50's and 60's tin toy collection.
I am not looking to fix it for resale, I just want it to look good and work.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff

[grwebster]

welcome to the forum
Don't have any parts you need but some one may have, re you looking for plastic props or metal?

[fliegerii]

Replica props should be available at Classic Tin Toy Company, but I wouldn't recommend. These are rather expensive and then you just have the props and still missing the other parts.

I would stock the plane and look out for a second one to combine them. This requires some patience, but in the end it is most inexpensive way to get a complete authentic one.

[Tone]

Warning:

The propellers on this plane spin freely when the toy is at rest. Each propeller shaft has a small metal knob at the end that holds the prop in place. The prop has a hole through the spinner through which the shaft protrudes. The knob holds it in place.

In order to replace a propeller on this toy plane, one needs to pull out the prop shaft, i.e. disconnect it from the spring drive inside the wings. I think it would be hard to replace properly unless one opened up the upper and lower wing sections, and then the dents would show after reassembly.

Alternately, I suppose one could find propellers with spinners that fit over the end of the shaft; but then, one would need to cut off the end part of the shaft that held the original prop in place.

Does anybody know a better method?

[Tone]

welcome to the forum
Don't have any parts you need but some one may have, re you looking for plastic props or metal?

They would be white plastic props, and they look just like real DC-7 props.

[KongHla]

I have experience in doing my way.
Instead of ruin the wing edge, or cut the tip of the shaft, I opt to craft a new blade and attach to the spinner.
Just find a sheet of white plastic. Then re-make the blade by sand paper of file. Afterward , just attach it to
spinner by super glue. (or you can use a plastic shaft , drill a hole in the spinner, insert it in. Then insert the
other end to the hole in the blade. This will make the blade stronger, and still in balace, as the plastic shaft -
mostly I use from "Big" ball pen filler- is not that heavy)
Hope this work to you. A lot of work , like candy Hell-factory, but worth a try, and can save you 22 US. for one
set of repro propeller.

[grwebster]

Kong, I see that you are a new member, so welcome to the forum.

[KongHla]

Thanks for your warm welcome