This is the biggest tin-litho airplane in my collection at 19" (48.26cm) L x 17 3/4" (45.08cm) wingspan x 7 1/8" (18.09) H and unlike most of my battery operated vintage toys actually works!
It takes three 1.5V (D-cell) batteries and the nose lights up, the engine nacelles light up, it makes a jet engine whine, and then starts rolling across the floor. The front wheel is permanently turned towards the right as are many batt-op airliners, which forces it into running in a big circle.
The nose is odd-shaped giving it a 'porpoise' outline which could have been negated if they had included cockpit window stickers or decals, but as it is that plain white plastic nose makes it look a bit odd. Construction is pretty much on a par with the vintage Japanese toys we collectors are familiar with.
The fit between the wing and fuselage assemblies is a tad off though and so tight that the wing doesn't slide all the way forward. Unfortunately I don't have a video of this in operation.
From Vegas Air Field
Ed
Good Night Nurse, what a majestic toy that is. I forgot how BIG some of those 50s/60s battery operated toys were, and that many took those humongous D batteries, making the working toy “heavy” in both senses of the word. What an amazing collection you have! SFZ
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! When it comes to tin, the bigger the better, and the very best always need big batteries! LOL As far as my collection, while this is one of the larger tin pieces it's not THE largest.
DeleteBeing of a certain age, I vividly recall the tail end of the tin toy industry, and that is why these posts of yours bring back such good memories. Plastic toys dominated by the mid-60s, and I certainly liked them, but all of the tin planes, cars, locomotives, etc. I was lucky enough to own were my true childhood treasures. SFZ
DeleteWhat a wonderful, and huge, toy. Monsters can be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed Paul! It's funny, but when it comes to tin toy collecting I favor big, but when it comes to space toys I tend to favor the smaller SpaceX-ish stuff.
DeleteTin toys were never my favourites.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid of the '60s, die cast or plastic was the future, with their increased level of textural detail.
However, in light of your extensive and quite beautiful collection of tin wonders, I may have to rethink my earlier prejudices.
A stunning toy aeroplane !
Comparing Tin Toys with Plastic Toys is the “Apples and Oranges” debate. Tin Toys are priceless for their sheer weight and presence, and for the amazing art of lithography, and Plastic Toys are legendary for their detail and versatility. I wouldn’t trade either for the world. SFZ
DeleteA true jumbo size passenger jet. Another beauty, Ed. Amazing collection.
ReplyDeleteThanx Tony!
DeleteHave you bought this on porpoise?
ReplyDeleteLOL ***groan***
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