Johnny Seven's Phones

 As a Sixties Boomer I, like many kids, adored my Topper Johnny Seven One Man Army.

The big brother-repelling jewel of Santa's pile one Christmas, it's easily one of the best toys I ever received.

So having only had the rifle I was naturally intrigued by a single Johnny Seven Walkie Talkie in a Matlock junk shop I found this summer.

Not the familiar military green, it was red and much lighter than I expected. Still, it was big, as you'd expect from Johnny. A real thrill to handle, alas without it's cable and the second handset it was a challenge I sadly passed on.

Interestingly it's non-battery operated, which I assume means that it relies on paper cup and string technology. Does anyone know?

A full red phone set would look like this. I guess it's non-military looks gave it a more general appeal in toy shops.

And the more familiar army green came in a box like this, the Combat Phone Set.

There was also a helmet set which I think included a field radio.

Topper really were at the top of their game with these toys in the mid to late Sixties.

Did you have one readers?