Here's my slightly knocked about 'Atlas' Harbour Tug toy from Ideal's 'Boaterific' range.
For a toy it's got plenty of little bits of detail, unfortunately most of it is quite delicate.
There's a few broken or missing pieces on mine, but it still looks the part.
There were six boats in the set when they originally came out in 1967, and used Ideal's 'Motorific' electric motors, which were first used in 1964 for Ideal's Motorific slot car sets.
The motor is slotted into the hull with the batteries. Ideal's exclusive automatic bailer pumps any water out of this lower compartment.
To accommodate the workings the hull has to be quite deep, but once in water that wouldn't be a problem.
The rudder acts as the on/off switch. Note the auto bailer tube.
The case display card,
I've got to hand it to Ideal, they did come up with some fun toys in the sixties.
My brother and I received Boaterific toys for Easter when we were kids. I have forgotten which models they were, but I would have enjoyed having a PT boat if only this line had included military vessels.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Jim K.
ReplyDeleteOddly, enough, when I was a kid I had a Motorific slot car set( with a Triumph TR3 if I remember) and a couple of Zeroids but until now the Boaterific's have eluded me.
That last shot is so neat Scoop. The plastic cases are so similar! I take it that the Zeroid motor was motorific too?
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed Woodsy, all interchangeable.
DeleteI love the artwork on the backing card. The whole toy and case is thing of beauty, just like the Zeroids themselves. I have a book on toy boats, I'' see if there's a section on them. In the meantime look at this amazing collection Scoop: http://daveshobby.net/Boaterific_Collection.php
ReplyDeleteI've seen the 'Motorific'/'Boaterific' toys on eBay but never took the plunge. It's great to see a good review of these toys Scoop!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed. It's a nice toy, although I've yet to try it in water!
ReplyDelete