Hello, The tugboat is Tri-ang/Penguin, It dates from about 1955 Woodsy, when like you I summered in Butlins, My cousin and I with our mother's were sent by train, before departure our fathers went to a toy shop and bought us each a tugboat and submarine to play in Butlin's many water features. This one is marked MARY which was the prewar name as the later ones were marked as Annie. It's original except for the funnel. The original red plastic funnel broke on it's hinge as it was lowered just like the real thing to pass under the bridges on the Thames. On the toy it was to insert the key for the clockwork. The freighter behind is kitbashed. The hull was a Pyro Lightship, the cabin and wheelhouse are from Frenchman River Model Works.
My original submarine split apart in hot baths many years ago, this one is a reissue made in Mexico and found on eBay. The original maker was Ideal Toys in the US mine was a UK version but I do not recall the maker, possibly Kleenware. The two torpedoes when fired on land travel about 20 feet and about 5 feet under water.
The tin taxi on the top shelf is marked Made in Japan, the other is unmarked. The diecast to the left on the lower shelf is a Road Champs Chevy Caprice that was a RCMP patrol car repainted by me as a NYC cab. Back then in the 90's NYC allowed old police cars to be 'Hacked' that is repainted and licensed as taxis, so I did the same!
A tin and die-cast taxicab collection has to be one of the coolest genres of toy collecting I can imagine. These are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree Zigg. A lovely collection Terra. What toy makes are those vessels and the sub?
DeleteHello, The tugboat is Tri-ang/Penguin, It dates from about 1955 Woodsy, when like you I summered in Butlins, My cousin and I with our mother's were sent by train, before departure our fathers went to a toy shop and bought us each a tugboat and submarine to play in Butlin's many water features. This one is marked MARY which was the prewar name as the later ones were marked as Annie. It's original except for the funnel. The original red plastic funnel broke on it's hinge as it was lowered just like the real thing to pass under the bridges on the Thames. On the toy it was to insert the key for the clockwork. The freighter behind is kitbashed. The hull was a Pyro Lightship, the cabin and wheelhouse are from Frenchman River Model Works.
ReplyDeleteMy original submarine split apart in hot baths many years ago, this one is a reissue made in Mexico and found on eBay. The original maker was Ideal Toys in the US mine was a UK version but I do not recall the maker, possibly Kleenware. The two torpedoes when fired on land travel about 20 feet and about 5 feet under water.
The tin taxi on the top shelf is marked Made in Japan, the other is unmarked. The diecast to the left on the lower shelf is a Road Champs Chevy Caprice that was a RCMP patrol car repainted by me as a NYC cab. Back then in the 90's NYC allowed old police cars to be 'Hacked' that is repainted and licensed as taxis, so I did the same!
Thanks Terra. So you and your cousin's Dads didn't go to Butlins too?
DeleteMy Uncle had to work and my father was still recovering from the Chicken Pox he caught from me although his mother said he had had it as a child.
ReplyDelete