Five years ago I wrote this post about the development of the Apollo Saturn rocket toy. I think I can add a little more now. Purely my own opinion mind.
1963?
I believe the first Apollo Saturn was the Japanese Tomy version, which came in both English language ["Ranger 7"] and Japanese ["Apollo"] versions, probably around 1963 [confirmation of the year and date needed].
1964
DECEMBER
In Oxford Street, London, Christmas 1964, we find an Apollo Saturn in a shop filmed for British Pathe. This dark headed example was presumably either the Japanese Tomy or the American Sears version and was apparently sold in the UK. It appears unboxed at 1.02 minutes for a few seconds along with a working Dux Astroman robot. Source: British Pathe.
In the Christmas Sears Catalogue 1964, their Turnpike Line Rocket Base 3-Stage Rocket appeared. It was made in Japan for the American company Sears. I assume it was made for them by Tomy.
1965
JUNE
Then in June 1965 an Apollo rocket appeared in this TV21 ZOOM competition advertisement. The toyis presumabley the Tomy / Sears version from the year before as it lacks the chequered neck-band, which appeared on the later Century 21 version.
1966
DECEMBER
The American Sears 3-Stage rocket appeared again in their 1966 Christmas catalogue.
1967
The UK's Century 21 Project SWORD toys were available. Now named the Apollo Saturn Rocket, it was advertised in TV21 Issue 145 on the 28th October 1967. You can see that its still the dark [i.e. blue] topped Tomy/ Sears version.
It appeared again in this TV Tornado comic in December that year. It's still the Tomy/ Sears version being advertised for its first and presumably biggest Christmas audience, even though the toy children would get would be the all white and red Century 21 version.
The Century 21 Apollo Saturn toy and box released in 1967.
1969
19th JULY
By Summer 1969 The Century 21 Project SWORD toy brand had all but disappeared and the Apollo Saturn was being advertised as part of the Project Moon mail-order range from Regent Toys of London. This is one of several adverts they placed in Century 21's own JOE 90 Top Secret comic. This is issue 27, 19th July 1969.
It remained pictured as the blue topped version till the end of its advertised life.
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If you have any other adverts, pictures or dated material concerning any of the versions of the toy Apollo Saturn Rocket I would be very glad to hear from you.
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