Like Clockwork

Beach shops at holiday destinations would always hold interesting toys in the 1960's and some of my favourite finds often arrived while on holiday in North Wales or occaisionally Devon. One memorable little toy was a clockwork army tank that shot sparks out the front, struck from a small lighter flint.

Just this week I came upon a new version of the tank that I had never seen before, by japanese maker Aoki.

I have come across a clockwork jeep in chrome finish, but never a tank. While this one looked cosmetically similar to my original green one, there are several distinct differences. The first one was all plastic and marketed by Lincoln International and had a turret with two 50 cal cannons. The Aoki version has different surface detailing, a metal chassis and a quad ant-aircraft array.
 

Compare the main body of the Aoki (top) and Lincoln (below).

My original Lincoln version has gone, apart from a turret, so this boxed version is a much more recent addition. At the time I got the first one it was followed up the following year by a Moon Probe version in a small window box.

Again made by Lincoln, with the flint striking sparks that light up the red canopy, rather than simulating gunfire as with the tanks.

From the same line, I discovered a Lunar Drill in the same red white and blue livery on ebay.

courtesy Ed Berg Collection

Addendum - Shortly after publishing this post, blogger Ed Berg sent me some shots of his 'Lunar Drill' in its box - so now I know its a 'Moon Explorer'! cheers, Ed!

My original Moon Probe survives only as the body, which shows the small Spacex scale astronaut driver.

The boxed version is unfortunately missing one of the two radar dishes from the back.

Lincoln released a number of  Mini Wind Up vehicles, which presumably include the army jeep in their number.

So far I have come across this bulldozer with sparks and elevating blade and the Steam Loco with flashing smokestack.

The train has a much larger flint holder and is distinctly different from the other toys. Each one would come with a replacement flint, which in turn could use standard petrol lighter flints inserted. 

Finally a loose sparking Army Jeep. The flint holder is narrower than the tanks and there is no makers mark. Originally the jeep would have a pair of 50 cals on a stand behind the drivers seat. I am on the hunt for a chrome jeep and any info on the line, to see what other models were available.