Dear Woodsy,
I came across this page in Ideal Toy Catalog of 1958 (from the http://www.usdimestore.com/ website).
Look at that boxcar - is it not a dead ringer of our dear TB2?
Look at that boxcar - is it not a dead ringer of our dear TB2?
The overall shape which with minor adjustments would turn into that chubby fella, the opening front which reminds me of an opened TB pod with ramp and all, but especially the similarity of textures both on the chequered body and on the striped tail fin.
The most important thing from the likeness list: it's all in the eyes! The line of four squinty windscreens zeroing on the potential threat and ready for rescue!
The Ideal plane was released as Globemaster Flying Boxcar
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ideal-globemaster-flying-boxcar-499048475
Looking at the toy itself, the resemblance is not as striking as in the catalog photo because of different materials and of the colour scheme. Perhaps Derek Meddings leafed through the Ideal '58 toy catalog and that stuck with him!
The most important thing from the likeness list: it's all in the eyes! The line of four squinty windscreens zeroing on the potential threat and ready for rescue!
The Ideal plane was released as Globemaster Flying Boxcar
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ideal-globemaster-flying-boxcar-499048475
Looking at the toy itself, the resemblance is not as striking as in the catalog photo because of different materials and of the colour scheme. Perhaps Derek Meddings leafed through the Ideal '58 toy catalog and that stuck with him!
This might already be common knowledge among anderson aficionados, but wanted to share nevertheless as the similarity is (at least to my eye) so striking.
Cheers
Arto
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Woodsy's Footnote:
Arto has struck a chord here.
Looking at the 'pod' vehicles in the Globemaster a little closer I was amazed to see the Jeep and the Radar truck!
The amazing Toy Soldier HQ website showcases them all:
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Woodsy's Footnote:
Arto has struck a chord here.
Looking at the 'pod' vehicles in the Globemaster a little closer I was amazed to see the Jeep and the Radar truck!
The amazing Toy Soldier HQ website showcases them all:
The Jeep could easily double up as the Land Rover in the JR21 Thunderbird 2 release [or the Spanish Molto version].
You can see what I mean in this comparison.
Ideal Globemaster and descending green Jeep photographed by our own Ed Berg.
JR21 Thunderbird 2 and descending green Land Rover photographed by our very own Scoop.
And the moment I think about Flying Boxcars, I think of "The Flight of the Phoenix"
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else remember this movie? (not the rather awful remake!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flight_of_the_Phoenix_(1965_film)
Not a flick I know Lewis but I will check it out. Just catching up with comments and emails.
DeleteI remember it. Always liked it!
ReplyDeleteI can see what you mean. What an intriguing theory! I think you've put forward a good case there, Arto.
ReplyDeleteIdeal's Flying Boxcar is a fantastic vintage toy, combining simple plastic and pure imagination :)
Thanks guys for all your support. When I came across that Ideal catalogue photo, for me it was a surefire TB2 doppelgänger, all out of the blue!
ReplyDeleteLove the advertising Arto! AND I very nearly bought the Ideal castle playset just a few weeks ago to add to the castle collection!
ReplyDelete