The friction drive Thunderbird 1 from JR21 toys is one of the lesser seen toys in the Rosenthal range nowadays. Despite being sold in two versions, with alternate colour schemes, the remote control version appears with far more frequency in decent condition surprisingly. This very fragile toy really never was likely to survive the rigours of rescue missions with a 4 or 5 year old controlling things. Even the example seen here has a rear fin which came off in my adult hands and only carefully applied glue holds it in place.
The general shape of the toy is pretty close to what children would have recognised from the show itself and the friction drive and 'variable wing movement' facility offered kids some play value but the bottom line is that it really wasn't best toy ever put out by JR21 Toys in the opinion of many. Strangely enough though the blue body version of this toy actually appeared in an episode of THUNDERBIRDS itself when Jeff Tracy acts as Santa Claus in 'Give Or Take A Million'.
I often puzzle over why, to me anyway, this looks very dated and old fashioned when compared to other toys in the JR21 THUNDERBIRDS range. Something about the colour or construction. I really can't put my finger on it myself. Maybe it's just me? Despite the flaws this toy is highly sought in boxed decent condition and I feel privileged to own one.
Jim Lewis.
I know what you mean Jim, I think it's a combination of the un-aerodynamic cruciform boxy bit on the tail, the swing-wings from a fighter, the tail forms from 4 airliner kits...it's the most 'cobbled together' and least aesthetic of the range?
ReplyDeleteI have a rip-off version with a small transistor radio inside, fixed wings and no airliner winglets in a sort of camel-dung yellow (which I think might actually be 'UV' white!).
'Aunton'...space-ship designed by an aunt!
I dunno ... but I think it works. Maybe it's just ME?
ReplyDeleteLiked it as a kid, but not the friction motor -felt the same about the SWORD craft -wheels at the bottom just didin't look right.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Andy - the wheels are always wrong. But the rest of this I like.
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