Although I don't know the year of manufacture I reckon it's maybe mid to late seventies.
I blogged it last year in the hopes maybe one of you folks might have a boxed version which might help identify it, but sadly it still remains a bit a mystery.
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/mysterious-flying-saucer.html
However, quite recently I did pick up a bubble packed version of this UFO which I suspect is a later release than the one I already have.
While the card has no obvious makers name it does carry a logo which looks like J S, (this might be J S International toys) and a sticker on the plain back says the toy's been imported by PMS , a leading UK importer.
Although both toys look virtually identical there are small differences.
The most obvious is that this later variant has no evidence of the NASA or American Flag stickers, and the red and blue clear plastic is of a deeper shade. The red dome interiors are slightly different too, with more detail on the NASA version.
This is the underside of my original toy, the NASA version which has an orange cog and rubber wheels, with the on/off switch situated next to the loose rear wheels. It has 'made in Hong Kong' and the number T29 embossed on the white part. The silver top part is glued to the white base using three moulded plastic prongs.
The base of the newly acquired toy. Note a different motorised section with plastic wheels and a white cog.
The on/off switch is set in the white base, which is held to the silver top section by four 'Philips' head screws.
Made in China is embossed on the battery cover.
Side view with NASA version on the left.
Meanwhile the search goes on!
As a child, I had a version of this toy back in the early 1960s, mine however had a battery-operated gyroscopic motor and metal balance point.
ReplyDeleteTook a moment for the toy to get to full rev but once there it would stand up and 'glide' about on any hard surface.
So, another variation of this toy. The mystery deepens.. Thanks for the info, Patron.
DeleteFound this on eBay.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Space-UFO-Gyroscopic-Spinning-Flying-Saucer-Top-Vintage-/331115600499?nma=true&si=evyJVoraBXgaRk%252BvbDgIbVhA7KU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557