The US toy companies Durham Industries and Tarheel Industries appear to have been best mates. The packaging of the HELICOPTER shown above is a good example.
First up, pictured avove we have the box marked with the standard 'D' with a globe, the trademark of Durham Insustries.
Next, above, we have a crossover box marked Durham and also mentioning 'Johnny Tarheel' with the same location as Tarheel Industries, Tarboro in North Carolina.
Finally here's the same box now marked with the 'T' with kids logo of Tarheel Industries. Of the three boxes it appears to be the only one with a model number, which is repeated on the undercarraige of the toy as you can see below, NO. 5605.
So it would seem that the two companies crossed over quite formally rather than knocking each other off. We're they virtually one in the same? It's worth remembering that Tarheel were the second most prolific maker of PROJECT SWORD toys after Century 21. We know that Durham also re-branded Tarheel's Space Glider as their own. Did Durham re-brand any more Tarheel toys?
Looks to me like the Marx USAF helicopter which also was made in Germany with ADAC markings. I have the USAF version in my collection but haven't yet photgraphed/blogged it.
ReplyDeleteSomeone else would have to say how many toy companies were located in North Carolina, but that actual town of Durham is very close to Tarboro...and "Tarheel" is the nickname for anyone from North Carolina. I've always taken it for granted Durham and Tarheel were, in fact, the exact same company. Possibly they used more than one trade name imprint for tax or accounting reasons.
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