This 1951 Blue Bird 18 is an uncommon sight. To begin with, I do not come across many flat-top Blue Bird (Torpedo) 18s; secondly, it is quite uncommon to find one in red; and finally, it is really uncommon to find one with what is sometimes described as a "bomb-proof" aluminium hard case.

Cosmetically, the typewriter is in great condition. The uncommon, red wrinkle paint and chrome key rings give this Blue Bird the perfect level of penache. The paint itself is in great condition, showing only minor signs of age. Notably, there are a couple small marks to the left side as well as some wear to the front section beneath the spacebar. There are also the odd chips to the carriage end covers and a tiny chip at the rear right corner of the ribbon cover. There is a very slight raised part on the right side of the top of the ribbon cover, but this is inconspicuous and almost imperceptible, unless you lean down and view the typewriter from the level of the ribbon cover's survace. You can just make it out when viewing the photo taken from the back of the machine.


The chrome on this typewriter is in excellent condition, save for some wear to the extendable paper support. The keyrings, which have been individually polished, are in wonderful shape and twinkle nicely.

This typewriter has been dismantled, and all internals have been carefully cleaned with a suitable solvent.

the platen has been profesionally recovered. With new rubber on the platen, typing is slightly quieter than typing on a rock hard platen, and print quality is excellent. The rubber rollers are in excellent shape, have been cleaned and treated with rubber rejuvinator and grip paper very well. The rubber feet are also in very good condition and grip worksurfaces well. They have also been cleaned with rubber rejuvinator.