For many years I have been looking into the history of PROJECT SWORD toys. One of the many problems facing research like this is the time that elapsed - it was all so long ago. Many of the companies involved have either changed their names many times or vanished altogether. I have posted all of my correspondence previously on the blog. From a variety of sources my current 'address book' for the main SWORD toy companies looks like this:
1. CENTURY 21 TOYS - previously Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Bucks SL0 0NH, England. Previous Correspondence posted.. Current Company status unclear.
2. J. ROSENTHAL TOYS (JR21) - company dissolved 1984 (Companies House).
3. REGENT TOYS MAIL ORDER (PROJECT MOON) - previously 58 Dean street, London, W1, England. No current information.
4. SPACE MODELS (Modellers used by Century 21 for TV shows) - currently active company here (logo below)
5. TARHEEL INDUSTRIES - previously Tarboro, North Carolina, USA. Became EMPIRE TOYS. Currently active compnay under the new name of GENERAL FOAM PLASTICS (logo below) with a site still in Tarboro.
I recieved this kind response from Tarboro's Planning Director in September 2009:
"Thank you for your inquiry Mr. Woods. I hope all is well with you. Although I am not aware of archives for Tarheel Industries, I believe that the plant is still in operation. It has gone through many incarnations over the years, but is currently operating as General Foam Plastics. The plant is located at 501 Daniel Street, Tarboro, NC 27886 and can be reached by phone at (252) 824-1321. I hope this information is helpful, please contact me with questions or if I can be of further assistance.
Troy R. Lewis, Planning Director, Town of Tarboro, P.O. Box 220 - 500 Main Street, Tarboro, NC 27886 Phone: (252) 641-4249, Fax: (252) 641-4286"
6. T IN A CIRCLE - previously Hong Kong based. Identified on the respected Alphadrome Robot Database as "Tai Hing Metal and Plasticware Fty Ltd" (unconfirmed). There are many modern companies with the prefix TAI HING in Kowloon. One such company, TAI HING PLASTICS COMPANY, does have a sort of T Circled logo (below) but the connection to the original T in a Circle toy company is completely unconfirmed (this has been previously discussed on the blog by various readers).
7. HOVER - no current information
8. HOOVER - Thailand - no current information
9. 'NASA' - no current information
10. SL - no current information
The other SWORD related toy or kit manufacturers: Imai, Takeuchi, 'Space Bird' have not been covered in this list. Any information from readers about these or any of the above companies would be welcomed and posted for readers to share. The search goes on!
No comments:
Post a Comment