Some of my favorite toys are the pieces included in the circus set manufactured by Corgi in the 1960′s. The Chipperfields Circus crane truck pictured here is only one piece of the set and what I’ll cover today. Other pieces (which I wish I had) include :
1. Circus animal cage with animals
2. Platform trailer with elephant cage and elephant
3. Bedford tractor unit (truck with cargo case), animal cage with lion
4. Articulated truck and trailer with horse box and horses
5. Scammell Highwayman crane truck
Our truck today is described as having a chassis-cab with the rear body resting on a base that extends off the bottom of the cab. The rear body section contains a working crane with a yellow base. The crane actually works by way of manual crank.
Other features of this truck are clear windows, silver grill, headlights, case wheels (rubber with light blue metal hubs), ‘silver’ sheet metal boom, raised lettering on either side (Chipperfields Circus). The truck also came with a die cast hook attached to the cord on the crane, however, it is missing off this truck.
The bottom of this toy is marked: International, 6 x 6 Truck, Corgi Major Toys, Made in GT Britain. According to my reference book – The Unauthorized Encyclopedia, Corgi Toys – this particular style of truck has the designation 1121 A1…. meaning the wheels are free on the axle.
Overall length (including crane) is 8-1/2″; truck length is 5-1/2″.
Posted 1 month, 1 week ago at 6:53 pm. Add a comment
One of the more interesting and unique toys is this well detailed ‘California-style’ motorcycle. Produced by Hasbro circa 1971 this battery-operated motorcycle came with jointed rider – manufactured to appear he is wearing black leather suit while the helmet is affixed to the head. This toy was manufactured in Hong Kong but sold in the U.S. market.
This battery-operated toy came in two pieces – motorcycle and motorcycle rider. As mentioned the rider has jointed arms and legs so he can be mounted or removed from the motorcycle with ease.
The motorcycle itself is brick-red in color with accents of chrome colored plastic and opaque windshield. The rider has a black suit with a helmet with yellow goggles. His hands have ‘gripper’ holes so that he can be attached to the handlebars of the motorcycle steadying him and keeping him from falling off when the motorcycle was in operation.
While this battery-operated toy was manufactured primarily of plastic parts, some metal parts were used. These metal parts are the handle bars, sissy rack bar, and small parts in the battery housing.
Two (2) AA batteries were needed to power the motorcycle. In addition, it also has an on and off switch located by the left foot of the motorcycle rider that was integrated into the design to look remarkably like a kick-start. Plastic stabilizers underneath the engine keep the motorcycle in an upright position whether it was operating or not.
This battery-operated toy motorcycle manufactured by Hasbro would be a great addition to any collection of toys – battery-operated or not.
Posted 3 months ago at 5:29 pm. Add a comment
This vintage airplane is reminiscent of stamped steel toys like those produced by Wyandotte, Hubley and Dent. This pressed steel toy airplane is in the style of a Navy folding low-wing fighter. I could not find this plane in any of my reference books, but in my opinion it looks to fall into the period of toys dating in the 1920-1930′s.
The overall wingspan has a measurement of 9 inches and the length of the airplane is 6 inches. Painted both inside and out with two-tone paint job - red body and blue wingtips. There are six cut out windows and this airplane sports a four blade propeller with the three (3) landing wheels being made of wood. The tail configuration is a twin vertical tails.
I have done quite a bit of research trying to locate the manufacture and age of this toy, however, so far have struck out. If you have any information about this airplane please let me know so I can update this post for the benefit of my readers . . . thank you.
Posted 4 months, 1 week ago at 7:35 pm. Add a comment
Thanks !
