I recently stumbled across two fantastic plastic knock off carded rack toys.
I immediately recognised the 'Sea Explorer' duo from my own childhood summertime inflatable paddling pool days. I think around the late '60s - early '70s.
The card art is simple and colourful, packed with the promise of underwater adventure and excitement. The illustrated character with the tuxedo and bow tie needs no intro. The futuristic plastic underwater craft offer a shamelessly unlicensed nod towards 'Thunderball'. The generic plastic frogman were familiar favourites often found in an assortment of HK rack toys from the era. A paddling pool of warm summer water and imagination set the scene.
Once, cheerfully cheap and very disposable, these vintage gems are now very difficult to find. I had endless fun with rack toys as a kid and perhaps appreciate them even more now, when I think back to the fun and value for money they provided.
Tony K
UK
Blimey what a great find. I've been racking my brain for years about this toy as I have fond memories of seeing the grey one in my local newagents when I was a kid but I've never seen a picture of it so thought I must have been mistaken. I also recall a virtually identical larger version in tne same shop that was a carded accessory pack for one of the cheap soft plastic Hong King Action Man knock off toys of the time that was also sold there. I had the figure - can't remember tne name or manufacturer but recall the hands and feet popped off easily! Anyone remember the underwater sub toy for that figure or was it just my childish imagination?
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