Following Woodsys query about the Sears/Tomy rocket on the Pathe film and relative to my comment on the post, heres my longer response.
Woolworths, an american company are featured heavily in the Pathe short, so I imagine it could well be the store on the film showing the rocket. Woolies probably had a deal with Sears to sell their products in store and I recall seeing the big Sears Moon Rover in Woolies in the Sixties. Equally, Airfix early forays into selling toys in the late sixties were helped by Sears products as seen in this 1971 catalogue.
As to whether the Tomy version of the toy was available, i'm sure it will have been, as the sixties was a boom time for cheap imports from manufacturers in the far east and it may well have represented a more affordable option to the Sears gantry set. Also, Project Sword appeared at a similar time, so this is clearly the toy that Sword Saturn is based on.
That's one great looking toy Bill that Sears Moon Rover you have. The antenna reminds of the one on the Firebolt Laser Canon. The two 8 wheel vehicles in the brochure, yellow construction trucks, look like they have your Moon Rovers wheels. Are they related? Its fascinating what you say about Woolies and Sears. Just imagine if a shop sold all three versions of the Apollo Saturn at the same time in the Sixties!
ReplyDeleteThe two trucks are from the Earthworms range and are a lot smaller. Probably about six inches long, whereas the Sears rover is about 11”
ReplyDeletegreat name that, Earthworms!
DeleteAt the rate Sears'stores are closing around here,they could actually be "Gone Tomorrow".I still buy tools,clothes and small appliances there and hope they can continue to hang on,somehow.
ReplyDeleteBlimey, a US institution like Sears is actually closing branches Bri?
DeleteIt seems the "Brick and Mortar" stores are not competing with online giants like Amazon and Alibaba,so Sears(and K Mart)stores are closing at a frightening pace.
ReplyDeleteI suppose its telling that the owner of Amazon is the richest person on Earth!
DeleteI admit I have used Amazon, and getting stuff delivered is nice,but certain things need to be physically handled before purchase.Clothes need to be tried on.Tools need to be hefted in my hand.If I wait 2 days for clothes to be delivered,and they don't fit,then it's 2 days to return and 2 days to get correct size.OR...I can try them on at the store and get what I need that day.Brick and Mortar stores are NOT obsolete,they serve a definite purpose,unlike a substantial number of corporate employees who make big bucks while doing NOTHING.. except maybe laying off more cashiers,making my wait in line a longer one.I think its pretty obvious where re structuring is needed to help these businesses survive...TRIM THE CORPORATE FAT.
ReplyDeleteIts the big battlefield on the High Street isn't it Brian, Online V. Bricks and Mortar. Online seems to be winning, certainly here in the UK, although very small towns which are full of small independent shops seem to be thriving!
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