Spurred on by finding what appear to be the wheels of the Scramble Bug and by the fact that couch research is such a good form of recuperation after illness I thought I would have a crack at the Scramble Bug cockpit.
For some time I have seen a similarity with a much older 'toy'. See what you think in the comparison below [not to scale].
The American Plan It money bank by Astro was released in 1959 and was largely made of metal. Other versions appeared as well incorporating a clear plastic ring. The coloured half-globes are the planets of our system.
Whether Britain's Century 21 Toys saw the Plant It Bank and developed the Scramble Bug cockpit from it I've no idea but they do look similar. Then again in the Fifties and Sixties world of manifold flying saucer toys it could just be down to pure cosmic coincidence.
What do you think?
The golden pilot looks somehow archaic as well. Is he from another toy? I wonder....
close but no banana this time mate!
ReplyDeleteI want my banana!
DeleteI must admit personally I do see the similarity between the two. But as you say Woodsy, the 50s-60s were the age of all things 'flying saucer'. A tricky one.
ReplyDeleteDeffo same ballpark, but not a home run like the wheels, Woodsy.
ReplyDeleteAs you and the previous comment state, there are plenty of flying saucers with those coloured details on them, including Thunderbird 5. So the essential idea can be from any of those and engineered for a slimmer shape which is a better fit on the Bug and costing less plastic too. Though a dead ringer would still be brilliant to find. :)
Lovely toy bank though!
Best -- Paul
Thanks guys, it is a long shot. Maybe the design lies in the original concept drawings at GM or Grumman.
ReplyDelete