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The Airmail/ WALITY 69EB is probably the only ebonite model produced today by the Airmail pen co. Bought when they were released, two colors were available. Green ripple and Brown ripple and probably an Olive ripple too but I dont remember too well. In its stock configuration, it is fitted with a steel F nib of the Indian no 8 size (28mm over a 6.35mm feed) and is ED filled. The 69 series models have very little space inside the inner cap ( EB has around 18.5mm only) so it is sometimes difficult for the novice to install third party nibs which are typically 35mm long and thence have to be set particularly deep in the section so that the nib's exposed length does not exceed the inner cap space( if the nib's exposed length is more than the inner cap space, the nib will be badly crumpled when you close the cap fully). Also if a nib unit is to be installed to allow C/C facility, even a European no 5 nib unit has a longer nib exposed length than what the 69EB inner cap allows. One workaround to this problem is to turn down the flared collar of the nib unit housing, allowing it to be set deeper into the section. This is the approach that I have taken on one of the pens. Here is the result with the Schmidt FH341. I have set the nib unit deep enough to control the exposed nib length to 18mm. Also shown is another EB where I have installed a KW 35mm factory B STUB nib over the stock WALITY feeder in ED mode. This nib is set extremely deep( nearly half of the nib is inside the section!). Along with some other currently inked pens: L-R: Lamy 2000, 69TS, 69EB, 71J The 69EB is a nice, very low cost introduction to the ebonite pen. Its quite well made with multistart threads fast open cap and an adequate stock F nib. DIY nib upgrades need application of some techniques. However, a very straightforward nib upgrade to obtain a wider point is to buy after market Indian size 8 (28mm) nibs from Ambitious or KW who offer F and M widths in this size. Cheers, Hari

Locally referred to as the Bamboo model and also in the airmail price list as such, it is the favourite of Police writers, Court clerks and accountants. It was the only mass produced ( but still hand made using hand operated compression moulding) pen in those days which had such an humongous ink capacity and a nice true fine nib. A fine nib allows faster ink drying, uses less paper to write the same matter. So traditionally a fine nib equals economy. I have been buying airmails for over 21 years now... and I have seen the 71J made in a variety of colors. Some colors were never repeated. I have a special affection for this marbled pen with ink windows. In the local market these are very affordable pens but still much costlier as compared to a camlin 47 but still cheaper than an Indian Parker Vector. These pens are too large for a student and are more tuned for adults who are heavy users( not in the kg sense ). Personally, I have little patience for an Airmail fine nib and I like the possibility of using a variety of wider nibs. In another thread someone was asking me about modifications possible on a 71J to accept third party nibs and the convenience of accepting ink cartridges. In my opinion the airmail coupled with a nice nib totally transforms the pen. However if you are fond of Indian fine nibs and the ink capacity of the ED system, the stock setup might prove perfectly adequate. In this post, I try to show what is possible to do with the 71J. I hope it is useful. L-R: stock, fh452gp, fh452ct, fh31gp, Bock Conklin over stock feeder. Cartridge, converter or Direct ED filling flexibility with the nib units. To those not familiar with the size of a 71J, shown with a Lamy 2000. Best Hari

The WALITY 69TS is the smaller version of the 69TL. Just like the 58C being a "mini me " version of the 71J. However the 69TS has some differences. Firstly, it has a single start cap thread as compared to the 4 starts of the 69TL. Secondly, the barrel and cap have the same diameter so there is a small step up at the end of the cap threads on the barrel. The stock GP fine nib a no 5.5 Indian: As I love to experiment, one of the following pens is upgraded with the Schmidt system FH341. L-R: Schmidt FH31, Stock, Schmidt FH341 The 69TL with the TS: Some experiments with third party nib systems on the 69TL, stock is a no 8 Indian. L-R: Schmidt FH31, Pelikan M200, Stock, Bock-Conklin no 6 set v deep, Schmidt FH341 Finally a size comparison: Lamy 2000, TL, TS, Pelikan M200. Even though the 69TS is not as popular or as well known as the 69TL, I really like these pens. Ideal for tucking into small pockets or to give to your child ( with a good smooth nib). Cheers, Hari