TRI-ANG, ROVEX, PIPPIN, RAPHAEL LIPKIN, SPACEX - BLIMEY!

Like PROJECT SWORD, SPACEX has a similarly convoluted family tree in the UK and Europe. Tri-ang, Rovex, Pippin, Raphael Lipkin - it's all so confusing! In an attempt to unpick it, here's my own potted understanding of Tri-ang evolution - there are gaps such as when Raphael Lipkin/Pippin was established and exactly when he teamed up with Rovex on the Spacex line (can anyone fill them in?):

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1. Tri-ang formed by 3 Lines brothes (3 lines of a Triangle!) 1924
2. Rovex formed by Alexander Vanetzian 1946
3. Tri-ang buys Rovex Plastics 1951

4. Raphael Lipkin files for various toy patents (see below) 1957
5. Tri-ang buys Mini Models and the Scalex brand (see pictured boat below) 1958
6. Tri-ang buys Meccano 1964

7. Tri-ang teams up with Pippin Toys ( Raphael Lipkin)
8. Tri-ang ceases trading 1971
9. Airfix buys Meccano 1971
10. Dunbee Combex Marx buys Rovex Tri-ang 1971
11. Dunbee Combex Marx ceases trading 1980

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For more on Tri-ang Rovex go here and here.

The Scalex brand - did it influence the Spacex name? (picture Ebay)

The original Spacex Tri-ang branding: Barry Forde Collection

The later PIPPIN/ ROVEX TRI-ANG Spacex branding: Barry Forde Collection

Above -The PIPPIN/ ROVEX TRI-ANG and the RAPHAEL LIPKIN/ TRI-ANG branding on two different boxed sets (LEM Apollo and MOONBASE) Woodsy collection
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Below - two patent drawings for different toy by Raphael Lipkin as early as 1957 including a 'track' filed with Yonezawa of Japan (more on the Espacenet site)






Below - a variety of Raphael Lipkin/ Pippin toys 1960's/70's (from Vectis, Willingham and Live Auctioneers sites)