A few months ago Brian aka shag who lives just north of me messaged that he had an Air-Way to give away, probably as a parts machine. I asked what colour combination it was, as I have several 88s and Marks standing around the place.

When he said it was white on top and dark gray on the bottom I said sure, I don't have one of those, drop it by next time you're in Stratford.

This is what was waiting on my doorstep on Valentines Day. Includes two hoses, aluminum J wands and a bristled floor tool. It is labeled a Mark V and has the PN powerport.

Something was different about it, though. It's the first Mark V I've seen with the full size corner 'sputnik' runner rails.

I thought they had been discontinued when the wheels and caster Marks were introduced.

But this one also had tricycle landing gear.

Notice though that the rear wheels are quite small and set between the runners, unlike all other wheeled Marks.

Note also the singular cord wrap hook at the bottom. Again, never seen this before.

Judging from the axle support frames and screw holes this is the original configuration.

All other Marks I've seen have the much larger wheels set further outboard with an integrated cord wrap foot...and no side rails at all.

Like these two Mark II's, which have variations of their own. The right one has no bottom exhaust port. Rather, it has an outlet on the side opposite the foot switch and the motor shroud is 1/2" taller.

Takes care of the carbon blast to the carpet when upright...but on it's wheels the port still faces down...

Side by side comparo of the two Mark II's, showing the exhaust port. The height difference is subtle but genuine.

Then I have this yellow Mark V with the PN port that features purely cosmetic decorative shortened 'sputnik' bumper rails.

Again, huge wheels and a cord wrap foot.

Sure would like the yellow caddy and tool set for this.

Back to the gray & white Mark V, it's going to need a new motor but is otherwise in great shape.

You can see how low profile the tucked in wheels and the caster are.

Turns out this is not unusual, just a variation. I found this same machine in Doug Snith's files. What year, I wonder?

A better view of the wheel axle - it's a one piece unit incorporating the central cord wrap hook.

I like the look of this set-up with the corner runners and it is easier to wrap the cord when the machine if standing upright.

It will be well worth the effort to replace the motor and give 'er the full spa treatment. I'll take aluminum wands over chromed steel any day. Thank you, Brian.

Jimmy, they could very well be Canada-only features, since both were found in Canada and the blue Mark II with side exhaust port was made under license by Switson Industries, also indicated by the Model No 88C.

The 'Valentine' Mark V has no manufacturer's plate and no rivet or screw holes where one might be attached.

I suspect that the Air-Way Limited office in Windsor Ontario was simply a business address for machines made by Switson in their Welland Ontario plant.

I don't recall the date it became law but I do know that American Companies wishing to retail in Canada were required to have a separate Canadian physical location to do so.

This was the case with Hoover who built a factory in Hamilton/Burlington to manufacture Hoovers for sale.

Most US makers other than Hoover and Electrolux, who made their machines in their own Canadian plants, had them made by a 3rd party company in Canada, like Switson or Onward Manufacturing. Both Canadian Companies are frequently cited on plates for many other brands that did not have the sales figures to justify a whole-ly owned factory. The other one is Onward Manufacturing that was located in Kitchener Ontario.

I don't know where Filter Queen, Lewyt and General Electric had their Canadian plants but certainly those I've seen have a Canada label somewhere, if only on the motor.

More cross-border trivia: Eureka USA made vacuum's for Penny's under the Penncrest and later just the J.C. Penney label. However, Eureka was best known for their manufacturing the "Wards Signature" line of vacuum cleaners made for Montgomery Wards from about 1960.

In Canada, slightly de-contented department store versions of the American Eureka  originals - Eaton's "VIKING", Hudson's Bay's "BAYCREST" and "BEAUMARK" brands. Dedicated vacuum stores always carried original Eurekas...made right here in Ontario by Kitchener's Onward.

My 1960s Canadian Tire branded MASTER Cylinder was made by Switson. REGINAs were made by Onward.

And so it goes...

Between them these companies made most of our favorite vintage brands under license as well as produced the Owner Manuals and plastic and metal accessory tools; often you will find 'made in Canada' impressed in the molds.

Dave

Mmm, what did I do wrong cutting and pasting that I have yellow highlighting? Well, I'll figure it out...