A recent search on ebay for space toys brought up something quite unusual, a small friction powered spaceship which looks very like an early Lifting Body.
Ive never seen this particular toy before and at first assumed it was a russian manufacture, but its clearly labelled ‘Made in Hong Kong’ with a small trademark of ‘CM’.
The overall shape is very reminiscent of early NASA concepts for Re-Entry Glider craft, with the blunt snub nose and wide delta body. The only major difference is the odd pill box like canopy, which belies the streamlined shape. Inside is a small pilot figure, glued firmly into a small ring console.
The body popped open quite easily, as the glue had mostly persished and inside, the friction motor had a small spring, running off a cog, which attaches to a plastic tympanum, to make a roaring sound as the toy is pushed along.
CM is not a maker ive ever heard of, although Hong Kong toys are littered with mysterious trademarks and stamps. Does it mean anything to you?
