I thought readers might enjoy some shots of a machine I just cleaned up for sale at The Urban Legend Institute.
What a difference a few years make. What used to be a metal-clad, bulbous Quiet-Riter is now a plastic fantastic, angular '60s creation made in Holland—but the interior mechanism is the same, sturdy design.
This is the color known as Sapphire Blue, although the plastic has yellowed a bit.
Here's the user's manual.
What a difference a few years make. What used to be a metal-clad, bulbous Quiet-Riter is now a plastic fantastic, angular '60s creation made in Holland—but the interior mechanism is the same, sturdy design.
This is the color known as Sapphire Blue, although the plastic has yellowed a bit.
Here's the user's manual.
Reminds me of my Ten Forty, another Sundberg design. Curious if these are Remington mechanics or Torpedo, since they come from Europe?
ReplyDeleteRemington. It is essentially the mechanism introduced in 1949 on their portables.
DeleteGotta say I really like the looks of these plastic Remmies, but never much liked the feel..
ReplyDeleteYou'd like this one if you like Quiet-Riters.
Deleteorly? I had a Ten-Fourty that I absolutely despised thanks to the touch. I suppose my experience with them has been limited, as they don't show up at thrifts hereabout much.
DeleteAt least some of the Ten Fortys are Torpedo designs and related to the Travel-Riter. This one is a different mechanism.
DeleteI like that design better than the originals. I had a few Smith-Corona typewriters cross my desk that were made in Holland, but none typed any good.
ReplyDeleteI believe this impregnated color plastic was called cycolic, and was supposed to be stronger than some of the metal typewriters.
ReplyDeleteSomeone gave me a dirty Remington 1040, and I was amazed at how solid it is, and how nicely it types
I have one almost just like that one--only in green. It was made in England in 1962. And yes, it is mechanically pretty much the same as the Quiet Riters. It even takes the same type of ribbon, which is the same for the Super Riters and Remington electrics.
ReplyDeleteThis is very useful knowledge. Thank you!
Delete"(A Remington Fleetwing) is mechanically pretty much the same as the Quiet Riters. It even takes the same type of ribbon, which is the same for the Super Riters and Remington electrics."
I’m wondering if it would be a good typewriter for a kid? And, what does it weigh?
ReplyDeleteI don’t see why not. Maybe 20 pounds?
DeleteQuestion: How common or rare is the Remington Fleetwing ?
ReplyDeleteI see 5 on eBay right now, and 2 that sold recently. So: not the most common but not rare. If I’m interpreting The Typewriter Database correctly, over 50,000 were made.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I picked one up at the time I wrote. I know about the "often discussed" models (SCM Corsairs, Olympia SM-series, Olivetti Letteras... etc. etc. - this level of popularity) before but had not heard of a Remington Fleetwing before. Will need to work to replace the ribbon and do further troubleshooting.
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