The animated Beatles film Yellow Submarine came out in 1968, and Corgi released a die-cast version in 1969, which has been re-released several times. This was a normal Corgi-sized model - there was no small Juniors version.
In 2016 Hot Wheels finally released a mini version of the Yellow Submarine in the Mainline toy range. In 2018 it was also included in the premium Replica Entertainment series. The colour scheme is basically yellow, with a white top, twin propellers at the rear in red plastic, and coloured trim.
The Mainline releases of this model are of mixed metal and plastic construction (only the upper portion of the hull is metal). The more expensive Replica Entertainment versions, aimed at adult collectors, also have a metal lower hull, with just the smaller details in plastic.
Hot Wheels like to re-issue their models over and over again in different colour schemes, but with some of the film and TV tie-in models they are limited to the official, on-screen colour scheme. I assume this is a condition of their licence from the film or TV company. They can vary the wheel types, but not a lot else. Some versions do have more colour detail printing.
This version of the Yellow Submarine, part of the 2021 Replica Entertainment line, is a little different. It has a snarling mouth on the bow, showing off large, square teeth. The Hot Wheels Wiki page for the model describes it as grinning, but it does not look very friendly.
This is a screen accurate version, as this US theatrical trailer for the film shows, at 1:03. The 2019 Replica Entertainment version also had teeth.
Beware of Dates. There are two copyright dates on the underside of this model. The earlier one is for the copyright holder for the submarine design - © 2014 Subafilm Ltd., and © Mattel 2015. The model itself was part of the 2016 line, and this version has a copyright date of 2021 on the back of the card. Confused yet ?
Most of the card designs for this model show both the submarine, and the cartoon versions of the Beatles. This one however only shows the submarine itself, underwater, but it is not snarling. The first Replica Entertainment card also showed only the submarine.
Did you or do you have a Yellow Submarine?
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Oh yes! I have several of the standard HW models AND the "University of Whales" version!
ReplyDeleteI have the 10/10 HW Screen Time version. Its 2016 Mattel and 2014 Subafilm Ltd on the bottom. The package has copyright 2017 Mattel and 2020 Subafilms Ltd on the back.
ReplyDeleteThe card is almost identical on the front as your 5/5 at the top but has a slightly darker blue as swirls in the background. It also has a Guaranteed For Life stamp on the hang tab and 226/250 at the top right of the card where yours has 225/250.
More oddities on mine. It has a base code (black ink tsamp) of N24which makes it a 2020 model but it is stamped Made In Malaysia. It also has 1186 MJ, 1, NL. Down by the transition towards the props, it has DHP 33. It is Pearl White but has the HW logosabove the props. It is like a mash of the 2016 lower, the 2017 upper with a dash of 2020 logos on a 2020 card.
ReplyDeleteGreat models Paul. You and Lance really know your stuff. I love the Prince of Whales name Looey!
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! The Yellow Submarine with the grinning teeth does look fairly sinister, but it goes in keeping with the creepy ambience of the movie itself, which actually scared me a bit in '68.
ReplyDeleteIt was those Blue Meanies Zigg!
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