VINTAGE FP LP #996 AIRPORT COMPLETE/EXC++--w /WOOD LP!

Here's a COMPLETE, Fisher Price Play Family Airport (#996) for your inspection.  Manufactured between 1972-76, this CLASSIC play set consisted of 19 pieces and afforded scores of children the opportunity to use their imagination to" fly away" to far off places.  Overall, this particular play set is in EXC++--condition.

The base itself is in EXC++--condition. The plastic surfaces are glossy and bright!  There are no chips, "dings," abrasions, or signs of fading anywhere on this base.  There are several light scuffs, particularly where the two halves of the airport come together and on the red crank. There are also two, tiny indentations (e.g. @1/16"L x 1/16" W) on the upper edge of the blue walkway around the Air Traffic Controller's booth and the opposite swing out run way.  These may have been created during the manufacturing process.  There are also a few, isolated white marks on the the aqua plastic trim.  I'm confident these marks will be resolved with a careful cleaning.  Likewise, I believe many of the any of the scuffs will buff out with an application of Armor All wipes. 

The plastic window surrounding the Air Traffic Controller is clear and bright with only three, small scuffs and one scratch being discerned.  After repeated inspections, I just now noticed a 2" L crack on the left- hand end of the drive way in front of the Airport.  I can't believe I've gone over this base at least 10 times and this is the first time I've seen it!  The crack does NOT permeate all the way through the plastic base.  I will be reinforcing this with either Super Glue or Rubber Cement so it shouldn't pose any future problems.

All of the moving parts operate as designed (e.g. helicopter pad, baggage carousel etc.). 

With the exception of one Baggage litho and the Snack Bar litho, all of the other EXTERIOR Airport lithos are present.  Some of these display wear:  

1. The main FP litho exhibits the most wear with some light soiling, several creases, a bent left-hand corner, a small, 1/8" L tear (under the "m" in "Family"), a scratch above the word "Play," some rubbing over the "S" in "Fisher," and some loosening of the litho on both ends; I will be repairing the torn spot and reanchoring the litho to its plastic base with Rubber Cement. If the buyer would prefer, I do have a replacement or reproduction litho for this main FP logo; if you would rather have that instead of the repaired litho, let me know and I'll send it to you for you to apply.   

2.  The right-hand Baggage litho is present with only some light soiling and edgewear; it looks as if someone in the past reattached this litho with some type of glue.  The glue is clear and is not readily apparent unless one closely inspects this litho.

3.  As mentioned previously, the left-hand Baggage litho is missing.  I have secured a replacement (reproduction) of this litho from another seller on E-bay.  While I do NOT utilize any replacement lithos on any of my sets, I offer these as a service to my customers.  These replacement lithos are EXACT replicas of the originals and come with an adhesive back that can easily be applied to the plastic surface.  I will be leaving this up to the buyer to apply. 

4.  Some loosening and a few minor bubbles on the Travel Office litho; once again, I will be alleviating this via an application of Rubber Cement;

5.  The Flag litho similarly exhibits some loosening, a few bubbles, and a handful of small, light brown stains.  The latter are probably due to the original glue Fisher Price used at the factory that has, over time, leached through the litho; from experience, I know these stains are here to stay.  They're not prominent and DEFINITELY do not detract from the desirablity or functionality of this piece;

6.  The Snack Bar litho is missing altogether and I will be providing an EXACT replica of this litho for the buyer to apply;

7.  Both Tarmac lithos are generally in good shape.  Upon close inspection, I noted a couple of teensy scratches (@ pin-head size to 1/4" L on the tarmac with the helicopter pad), some generalized soiling and staining on the yellow perimeter of the runways, a 1/2" L rub by the red crank, a 3/8" L ink mark next to the entrance of the Air Traffic Controller booth, a grayish/black mark next to the red crank, and some soiling on the tarmacs themselves.  There is a large spot where something appears to have been spilled on the short runway (e.g. the one with the Fisher Price patent pending information).  I have no idea what this is or was.  It's basically clear.  I doubt that it even showed up in my photos.  It is difficult to spot and doesn't detract from the integrity of the play base(please see my photos); and

8.  Some soiling on the end of the tarmac with the FP patent pending info;  I don't know if this will come off or not. I will give it a shot but I don't want to press it and damage the litho. 

1.  Some loosening at both ends of the Ticket Counter litho;

2.  A small, 1/4" tear on the edge of the Air Traffic Controller litho; once again, I will be repairing this with some Rubber Cement;

3. A handful of small rubs on Lucky on the Car Rental litho; these are VERY hard to see; they basically are the pin head size. 

Besides the airport itself, the set also includes a HTF turquoise trimmed jetliner replete with its original wooden pilot.  The plane still makes a whirring sound as it moves across the floor and the pilot monitors his progress taxiing to the concourse by swiveling his head to and fro (EXC+++-NEAR MINT---both tail lithos are present and vividly colored.  The right- hand litho is missing its back upper corner.  It also exhibits a 1" L scratch towards the bottom of the same litho.  The left- hand litho is PERFECT! Both tail lithos are free of any marks,stains, or fading etc. REMARKEDLY, the plane's door STAYS SHUT WHEN the plane "is in flight."   Other than some light surface scratches and an occasional scuff, I do not discern any other "flaws" on this aircraft (e.g. any cracks, chips, marks, breaks, yellowing due to age, fading, or abrasions); the "tires" display, little, if any, "road wear." Although not pictured in the photos, I have acquired an original FP yellow pull string which I've added to the plane.  

Other items contained in this fun-filled set are:

1 HTF red orange and yellow helicopter (NEAR MINT-MINT); 

1 HTF yellow/red orange jet refueling tanker w/original hose and nozzle and FP on wheels (EXC-EXC+--light surface scratches and a couple of "nibbles" on the nozzle pump; rest is GREAT);

1 HTF yellow baggage cart with FP on wheels (EXC-EXC+--couple of indentations on upper edge of cart ends; may have been caused by a child's tooth; otherwise, NEAR MINT);

1 HTF red/orange baggage cart with FP on wheels (NEAR MINT--rough spot on hitch on one end; NOT due to chews);

1 HTF red orange/yellow tug tractor w/ FP on wheels (VG++--EXC--some light scuffs and surface scratches on tractor; some dulling to red orange plastic); 

1 green/white 2 passenger car with luggage rack and FP on wheels (NEAR MINT--wheel caps a little dull but should brighten up with an application of Naval Jelly);

1 white/green 2 passenger car with luggage rack and FP on wheels (VG++--light surface scratches; right front tire shows some small indentations--probably due to child's teeth; not prominent but there);

2 VHTF round green pieces of luggage (NEAR MINT--MINT--one bag has a couple of faint scratches on it; other has a faint "hint" of one possible "nibble;"  I'm really guessing here based on past experience; they're that hard to detect);

2 VHTF yellow square pieces of luggage (1 MINT and the other NEAR MINT--latter is not as shiny as the other one);

The set also comes with 5 ALL WOOD and 2 WOOD/plastic LP that were original to this set:

1 HTF short, WOOD/plastic, turquoise African-American pilot (EXC++-NEAR MINT---one, pin-head size rough spot on cap brim; NOT CHEWS; rest of piece is in MINTY MINT condition);

1 HTF short, WOOD/plastic, turquoise flight attendant w/blonde hair (NEAR MINT- MINT--minimal paint loss around middle consistent with age; NOTE: glossy paint on this attendant);

1 VHTF, tall,  WOOD/plastic, blue bodied Mom with blonde pony (MINTY MINT);

1  VHTF, tall,  WOOD/plastic green bodied Dad with black heat stamped hair (EXC-EXC++---extremely minor paint loss around middle rim consistent with age; major rubbing to heat stamped hair and center part);

1 RARE,  WOOD/plastic, yellow bodied frowning boy with red cap facing forward and freckles (EXC-EXC++---some dulling of yellow paint consistent with age; two, pin-head size "nibbles" on brim of cap; strong facial features);

1 RARE, WOOD/plastic, blue bodied girl with blonde braids (NEAR MINT-MINTY MINT-braids firmly attached; GORGEOUS!!!).

This set will be thoroughly Q-tip cleaned prior to shipping it to its new owners.  I spend a MINIMUM of 1 -1 1/2 hours cleaning each and every VINTAGE FP playset that I sell (except those in "MY ROUGH ROOM"). 

These are some of the best toys EVER manufactured for young children.  Instead of sitting there and passively watching a toy perform for them (e.g. blinking lights, sounds etc), the children are enticed to develop their open-ended, imaginative play skills.  Thus, they become ACTIVE learners.  In the process, they also hone their cooperative, dramatic role-playing, and symbolic play skills, their acquisition of basic language-based concepts, and their beginning narrative or story telling skills.  All of these are prerequisites necessary for future academic success. 

Give them the best, VINTAGE FISHER PRICE:)

REMEMBER, THESE ARE VINTAGE FP TOYS!  THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN STILL MOUTHING THEIR TOYS OR UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE. 

ALSO, THESE VINTAGE FISHER PRICE TOYS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE RECENT MATTEL RECALL OF FP TOYS.  THESE TOYS WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE GOOD OLD U.S.A.  THEIR DURABILITY AND SAFETY (NO LEAD PAINT ETC.) HAS NEVER BEEN QUESTIONED!

This particular set weighs between 6 1/2 -7 lbs. UNWRAPPED.  It will require an over-sized box.  My zip code is 47905 (Lafayette, IN).

PLEASE DO NOT SEND PAYMENT UNTIL I CAN CONTACT YOU PERSONALLY WITH YOUR CHEAPEST SHIPPING ALTERNATIVE.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES.  I NEED TO COMBINE THESE ONTO ONE INVOICE WITH THE CORRECT SHIPPING TOTALS BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT ON PAYPAL.  OTHERWISE, YOU MAY BE OVERCHARGED ON SHIPPING AND I WILL BE CHARGED MULTIPLE TRANSACTION FEES.  THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER:)