I'm pretty sure I had a US style plastic Fire Chief Helmet like this when I was a kid. It was great fun to wear.
About ten years ago I very nearly bought an illuminated version of it still in its box in a discount store full of 80's toys. The box was window faded so I didn't bother. Maybe I should have.
The helmet and light looked like this one on You Tube
I was amazed to see that the toy in this clip was by Radio Shack. I associate them with radio-controlled vehicles and not general toys like this.
Did you have a fire helmet as a youngster readers?
Hi Woodsy. My late Mother worked for a company called Welsh Plastics from around 1963, and all of the employees were able to bring home a selection of toys they produced. One was the Fire Chiefs Helmet as in the first picture!
ReplyDeleteThe one I had was fitted with a 3D Badge, which was secured through two plastic pins. If it wasn't for your post I would have forgotten I'd ever had one: - I also remember it had a specific smell too, and for some reason to do with the manufacturing process it started to de-laminate in parts, a bit like the layers of an onion!!!
That's a superb memory Bill and glad Moonbase nudged it along. I remember wearing my helmet round the house and garden. I wonder what else Welsh Plastics made?
DeleteWelsh plastics made a varied number of products, including a train set with tracks and turntable etc - [I had enough tracks to run the train several times around the house and garden! - Talk about overkill.] - Toy soldiers similar to the TIMPO ones, and this huge detailed racing car big enough to fit an Action Man in. Plus a number of Househould products.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention an Action Man racing car, we're running a feature on one this morning! Welsh Plastics sound an interesting company.
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