Hi Woodsy
The recent post from Lewis about his visit to the Hurstville Collectables Fair included a photograph of a mystery Spitfire toy.
It is a pretty terrible model of a Spitfire – probably the Mark Vb, which had two long barrelled 20mm cannon in the wings, along with four .303 inch machine-guns which did not project from the wing.
The deep chin is probably meant to represent the Vokes tropical filter, intended to keep dust out of the engine. The Middle Stone and Dark Earth colour scheme was used mainly in North Africa.
Lewis has mentioned Google Lens a few times, but I thought this was something you had to sign up for. It turns out I already had it on my computer, but have only just discovered it.
Using Google Lens I was able to find several matches for the model. It is marked under the starboard wing UNIVERSAL PRODUCT © 1977, and under the port wing SPITFIRE, with MADE IN HONG KONG under the starboard tailplane.
Although a basic toy, the undercarriage does retract. The colour scheme is original, and has not been re-painted.
Thanks to Lewis for explaining what Google Lens is, in previous posts. I think it is going to be very useful, now that I know I have it.
Four photographs from Worthpoint.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Gotta say that toy looks awfully familiar. Especially now that I see pics of the bottom. But if it was 1977 I was too old for toys. Still building models though.
ReplyDeleteGotta love a Spitfire! SFZ
ReplyDeleteGood detective work, NZ Paul!
ReplyDeleteIt's kinda funny, my whole quest for a die cast Spitfire came about because of my current obsessions...
I was thinking "What if Gerry Anderson and Benny Hill decided to film the Battle of Britain, as a home movie?"
I never had the Dinky BoB toys, but I thought it would be fun to make a "toy from the film" for my Special Features.
I thought I might find an old clunker at the Hurstville Fair, but $50 was more than I was prepared to pay.
I was quite surprised when Paul pointed out the Universal Product toy is actually in faded Tropical camouflage, which is exactly what I want for my film!
As an aside, about 20 years ago now, I bought a 1/18 scale Blue Box F-16:fighter which came with an articulated pilot.
There was a similarly scaled Spitfire in the range, but I wasn't interested at that time.
Duh! Now I have had to buy three Trumpeter 1/24 scale kits, which are waiting to he converted into filming miniatures...
Thank you. This is going to be an Epic film. Although Gerry Anderson and Benny Hill does seem a slightly strange combination...
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