197X Hercules (Flying Fish/KOFA) Atlas 45 #36847
Status: My Collection
Hunter: Skyler King (Skyler)
Created: 09-03-2022 at 09:13AM
Last Edit: 09-03-2022 at 10:52PM
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Description:
This is a 飛魚/FeiYu (Flying Fish) Model PSQ. It is one of the earliest FeiYu typewriters, evidence by not only its very specific body design (there are subtle differences on the later bodies) but by the fact that it is carriage shift rather than the later and more widely produced basket shift variation. It is a Chinese-made copy of the 50's era Adler Tippa. During these early production years, no expense was spared and it definitely shows. As I look over every detail of this machine, I can see that the materials used are absolute top notch on every single nut, bolt, and spring. It came with the original case, which is a very heavy duty canvas wrapped, pre-shaped shell with a heavy duty metal hinged handle. The body of the typewriter itself is all metal. One thing that I notice is that in Taiwan it is very common that typewriters have rust and oxidation due to the climate. With the heat, humidity, salt, and time, it is common that typewriters will have rusty screws, damaged chrome, oxidized metal surfaces, etc. This typewriter, however, has none of that. None of the chrome is blemished. None of the metal has any oxidation. Not a single nut, bolt, screw or spring has a trace of rust. In fact, the chassis itself looks brand new (literally). This machine was not babied or kept in a safe place. I bought it from a man that I have bought many typewriters from. He doesn't know anything about them or how to use them. He has kept them in the back room of a noodle restaurant, abandoned and forgotten, for years or even decades. Yet, this machine is in remarkably good shape. Not a single key stuck when testing it, either. The keys are just as swift and snappy as a new machine, despite obviously needing to be adjusted (as you can see in the photos). This is officially the least expensive typewriter I have ever purchased, yet it is simultaneously one of the highest quality machines I own.
Typeface Specimen:
Photos:
Hunter: Skyler King (Skyler)
Skyler King's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]
Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 248
My name is Skyler and I live in Taiwan. I am a Demolition Engineer & Metal Fabricator by day and I typically keep myself as busy as possible with various projects and hobbies when not at work. I have lived in Taiwan for ten years and have discovered that there are actually quite a few typewriters to be found here. What is especially interesting about this fact is that, being that this is Asia, typewriters never had the same uses or popularity that they did in the west. So finding so many is quite surprising. Because they were all imported or brought in when returning from overseas trips, there is a very wide variety available. I have actually seen many typewriters that I have never seen mentioned or listed on the TWDB, which is part of why I wanted to join and become a "Typewriter Hunter", as I would like to fill in some of the gaps.
I collect and repair typewriters, as well, though I am still new to it. So, I would love discussions, tips, and advice related to that.
RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Hercules (Flying Fish/KOFA) Atlas 45 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Hercules (Flying Fish/KOFA) Serial Number page and the Hercules (Flying Fish/KOFA) Atlas 45 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.
