Tuesday, 13 October 2009

ITALIAN CONSORTI / TARHEEL MOON RANGER DISCOVERED BY ARTO




Continuing our fascinating Bloggiversary peek into everything that is MOON RANGER, Arto, our blog friend in Finland has unearthed yet another new discovery and a further example of ITALIAN SWORD, the CONSORTI/ TARHEEL MOON RANGER pictured above. You'll remember Arto's recent and completely amazing discovery of a HOVER/ CONSORTI BOOSTER ROCKET and the earlier posting by Ferryman of the CONSORTI PROBE FORCE 3 - like those toys this Ranger has the CONSORTI juggler label stuck onto the box, in this case on the top right hand corner of an otherwise unmistakeable TARHEEL box!

However, Arto explains  "In these pictures of an Italian Tarheel Moon Ranger box you can see areas blacked out (the Tarheel and SWORD logos, Ed). AND a new item no "No. 103" has been printed over the old one. I tried to take a close-up of the new item number stamped on the corner, but unfortunately I did not succeed too well. To make comparison easier I also took a joint photo of the original Century 21 and Italian versions of the box (below)."


Why did the Italian toy importer/ trader feel obliged to black out the Tarheel link? Did Consorti do this officially or was it an unlicensed move? Does anyone have any more information about Consorti? Are there any more Consorti SWORD like the frequently-copied Prospector perhaps?

Fascinating stuff as always Arto, Woodsy.

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