What Is A Parker "flighter"?

[markb]

I've seen the term "flighter" attached to some Parker pens (ie. 45's and 51's) and I don't know what it means. What would the difference between say a 51 and a 51 flighter be?

 

Thanks.

[carlosjaviercontreras]

You'll find a comprehensive description at Richard Binder's site http://www.richardspens.com/

 

Once there, select "Reference Pages", then find "The Flighter" and click it. After reading that article, you'll be able to explain it to other people.

 

Regards,

 

Carlos Javier.

[penspouse]

Here's a first year "51" Flighter set. Others cam with silver furnishings instead of the gold.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_eIdxmbHbmPk/TBZ5ABtw7rI/AAAAAAAAA9k/gyR1jHGGQmM/s800/Flighter-Set.jpg

[ceejaybee]

I've seen the term "flighter" attached to some Parker pens (ie. 45's and 51's) and I don't know what it means. What would the difference between say a 51 and a 51 flighter be?

 

Thanks.

 

To cut a long story short 'Flighter' is the term Parker gave to it's stainless steel (both cap and barrelled) pens, a 51 could be one of many combination of finishes whereas a 51 flighter is made from stailess steel, as I understand it a flighter has chrome trim and a flighter deluxe has gold trim. HTH

[markb]

Very informative, thank you.

[dogpoet]

I've seen the term "flighter" attached to some Parker pens (ie. 45's and 51's) and I don't know what it means. What would the difference between say a 51 and a 51 flighter be?

 

Thanks.

 

To cut a long story short 'Flighter' is the term Parker gave to it's stainless steel (both cap and barrelled) pens, a 51 could be one of many combination of finishes whereas a 51 flighter is made from stailess steel, as I understand it a flighter has chrome trim and a flighter deluxe has gold trim. HTH

I've yet to see a P51 flighter. Aren't they a bit desirable?

[penspouse]

I've seen the term "flighter" attached to some Parker pens (ie. 45's and 51's) and I don't know what it means. What would the difference between say a 51 and a 51 flighter be?

 

Thanks.

 

To cut a long story short 'Flighter' is the term Parker gave to it's stainless steel (both cap and barrelled) pens, a 51 could be one of many combination of finishes whereas a 51 flighter is made from stailess steel, as I understand it a flighter has chrome trim and a flighter deluxe has gold trim. HTH

I've yet to see a P51 flighter. Aren't they a bit desirable?

 

Yep.

[777]

Parker 51 flighters are great looking pens.

[dogpoet]

No question. I rather fancy one myself, but they're very expensive for a 51, I've noticed.

[grimakis]

Also be cautious when describing similar looking pens of other brands. I can safely say that a "51" flighter exists, but I don't recall if the stainless steel 45's were branded similarly. Be careful when using this term. Aerometric is another that seems to have become a generic term for squeeze fillers, despite being only resembling them superficially.

Edited June 21, 2010 by grimakis

[nxn96]

As I understand it, the "Flighter" was first introduced with the introduction of the 51 Aerometrics in 1948/9, and reflected Kenneth Parker's fascination with avaiation. Since then, "Flighter" has been a constant version of every most every Parker variety. I don't think there has ever been a Duofold "Flighter", but pretty much everything else seems to get a "Flighter" version sooner or later.

 

As to some of the iconic Parkers, like the 51, the Flighter version is more a matter of taste. The 51 Flighter is a handsome pen and a collectable, but the regular Lucite barrel on the 51, coupled with the filler system is, by itself, a nicely balanced unit. On the other hand, for the 45 series, I think the Flighters make what started as a "student pen" a well balanced writing pen for the professional that has the "heft" that the basic 45's don't.

 

If you're a collecting Parkers, I think a "Flighter" sub-collection is a fun and relatively easy thing to do; particularly as there are so many varieties and examples out there to get.

[P.E.N.S]

You'll find a comprehensive description at Richard Binder's site http://www.richardspens.com/

 

Once there, select "Reference Pages", then find "The Flighter" and click it. After reading that article, you'll be able to explain it to other people.

 

Regards,

 

Carlos Javier.

Is a Parker Vector stainless steel can he called a flighter?

[OcalaFlGuy]

To be technically correct, no, just a P-51 Flighter.

 

However, over the years, UNofficially, Flighter has been used to denote any Parker all stainless barrel/cap pen model.

 

Often in the digital age we use the quickest best options. If you tell some you have a Vector Flighter, though not technically correct, they'll still understand what you are talking about.

 

[EDIT] Here is my Argentine P-51 Flighter.

 

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited November 5, 2013 by OcalaFlGuy

[Shaughn]

Also the Parker 25 in stainless steel is a 'flighter'. Not because I say so, Parker said so

 

Proof on file: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/140116-parker-25-variations/ post #12

[JotterAddict62]

Parker Classic Flighter

[Sasha Royale]

By the 1940's, the world needed a pen that did not leak, in the pressure-variable environment of aerial flight. Parker perfected this internal mechanism, and incorporated it into his Parker 51. The name and the finish were inspired by the gleaming, polished, aluminum of the DC-3 airliner. He loved that beautiful airplane.

 

The Douglas DC-3 was the world's most beautiful airplane, until 1960, when Grumman introduced the A-6 Intruder.

[Vendome]

Would my 45 be classed as a flighter?

It's got a steel cap and barrel, but the grip / nib section is black plastic.

[OcalaFlGuy]

Yes.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

[NABodie]

They go well with a Seiko 007 on an oyster bracelet!

 

http://forums.watchuseek.com/attachments/f221/448479d1307278688-pen-watch-combo-thread-5627749029_742cbaeab6_b.jpg

[Sasha Royale]

A Parker 51 Flighter would be milestone in my life. How sweet that would be ! Also, I would like, in person, to see a "Trench Pen". I know that one awaits me, in a cave, on the island of Monte Christo.