What a treat to see today's pic, the model 50 Aero-dyne. Although this competitor to the Lux XXX's would never gain that kind of notoriety, it was indeed a unique concept and an intriguing machine to view (and play with!) And I love the Ultra-flex hoses introduced in the later models, a huge improvement over their relatively stiff, brown, cloth-covered predecessors. I would be hard-pressed to choose between my early Connie and my Aeros (50 and 51). Does anyone, including Fred X 2, love the Aero-dynes as much as I do?

I have never had the chance, well maybe once. To try a Hoover
50 or 51. The more I see and hear about them I would like to
try one out!!! I like the 28 upright from that era. Knew of
many at the time and have one now. Have never known of any
but one back in the 50's. Never had the chance to try it!
Hope to find one to buy one day!!
Norm

Hello Norm

You will love the Aero! It is quirky yet unique. Even has TWO handles so you can carry it either upright or horizontal. The permanent cloth bag was emptied utilizing a hand or foot-operated recprocating "shaker" that was intended to dislodge dirt from the bag which never left the machine. The 50 was essentially the 'teammate' to the 28, thus it's matching color scheme including the hose. The 28 is a wonderful upright, and I, too, knew several while growing up.

I too love the Hoover "tank" cleaners. The 51 and the 53 were the best of the bunch to me. The "Veri-Flex" hose was a huge improvement. Here is my collection (left to right) brown model 50, light brown model 51, maroon model 41, light brown model 53 with the Hoover logo, and the grey model 55. The 55 used the cheaper tank but the fancier rear end of the larger Areodyne. Actually the best tank was the 41, 42, or the 55 as they used paper and cloth bags. To me I think that the model 41 was the first Hoover to use DISPOSABLE paper bags not the 63 upright. See my next post...

--Tom

Sorry for the dark picture!

I have just run across a fine model 42 in brown and blue. It was the last of the really cheap tanks...

Now the only tank cleaner to find is the model 415 Holiday tank then I will have all of the "Areodyne" series. According to my records they made lots of the 415 and very few of the 41, 42, and 55s. I have no idea why I have found the hard to find models first! Sometimes this hobby can be maddening.

--Tom

Here it is...all shined up and ready for display. This baby is all original save the plug end. Thank you Kyle in MI for sending this item to me. It has a loving home among its peers. I even have the box that the cleaning tools came in. The hose and wands are inside. I think that it is great that someone even kept the original envelope for the bags. The only item missing is the crevice tool for some reason. This one came with the optional spayer that was never used. I just thought I would add a picture of it to this Areodyne thread. Happy Hoovering!

--Tom

I have never seen this one, only the one that's gray with maroon ends. The Holiday??

I have always thought the brown Aerodines with the cloth hose are kinda funny looking - the way the hose attaches, you just see the cloth end of the hose --- the metal coupler goes inside the front cover where you can't see it. With no metal coupler, like probably every other vacuum cleaner in captivity, it gives it a somewhat strange appearance, as if something's missing or something.

Love this model. If I could find one with the flexible hose (the brown model w/red switch) that would be great to add to my collection. How many watt motor do these have. The new Connie is 3-4x's as powerful as the original. Just love mine!


duane

I have a model 50 that i have slowly been adding tools to. I bought it years ago, just the tank. I had never seen a Hoover tank up until then and thought i should get it. I just need the upholstery nozzle and it will be complete.

My model 41 is also just the tank. I was bidding on tools and hose but of course was out bid :(

Model 51 was an ebay purchase that has all the tools.

Model 53 is in the best conditon of all my Aerodynes.

Model 55. LOL! Heres a funny story. I was driving to work about two weeks ago and i see a beat up old tank vacuum at the curb of a house two blocks from the hospital. It looks vaguely like my model 41 so i drive around the corner to get a second look at it and it's a 55!!! Okay a beat up 55!!! So i can't stop and pick it up because i'm on my way to work and so are alot of other people and that last thing i need is for half the hospital staff to see me picking up junk off the side of the road! I reason that if it is still there when i get off work some 13 hours later ( and when it's dark! ) i will pick it up because it was meant to be! So i'm driving home and there it is!! I pull over across the street but one house down, and as the street light is shining brightly on my white uniform, ( good grief, of all days to wear white) i make a run for it and grab the 55 and the hose off the curb and throw it into the back of my truck and speed off before anyone can see me. Once home and on closer inspection i find the 55 to be a one on Rick's scale of one to ten. (Don't ask!) What i do like is that i now have a machine end hose coupler that i can possibly use for my 41! That made the whole thing worth it!!

Tom
Thanks for sharing the tank part of your collection. I remember these tanks on display in the local department
store in NE Ohio. Back in the 50's I grew up with a
model 66 Air Way. Rmember thinking that the Hoover tank
just did not have the flash that the Lux's and our Air
Way had in comparing them! As I often did in those days.
I liked the brush on the carpet tool. Thought it might do
better then the metal comb on the Air Way.
Norm

The motor on the 42 is 620 watts. It is plenty powerful and is very quiet...think Connie. The hose coupler for the 42 is the same as the 55 and 41. The maroon and grey one is the model 41 and is very similar to the 42 except for color. The Holiday is a little more squared off and possibly longer? I have never seen one in person. I hope to find one some day.

I hate to say this but Hoover never had their hearts in canisters. They were all about uprights but to stay competitive they marketed these tank cleaners. I think that they were not very successful so when the Connie appeared these quickly disappeared. The Lux to me seemed like a better canister. The tools were better. I am not sure which one had the most suction. The Areodynes were for the most part a quality item and somewhat quirky. However nothing cleans like a Hoover!

Anyone out there have a Holiday they want to sell? I was talking with my wife...once I find a Holiday cleaner, I will have EVERYTHING Hoover made in the 1950's. Once I locate a model 90, I will have everything Hoover made in the 1940's! It is great to have something to look for and search out. Who knows when something interesting will show up at a sale.

Happy Hoovering!

--Tom

PS...Marty I have done the SAME thing...but I have also stopped in the rain on my way to work to dig out a Hoover from the trash!

I am so sad to say I left a Hoover Aerodyne model 51 in Immaculate conditon behind in California when I moved here, and I had had it since I was 5 years old it was my aunts.... Oh Well we must got on>>> Sob Sob.....