I think it's fair to say this helicopter is a bit fictional, looking more like a deformed
Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw from the 1950's, rather than the famous
Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King '66' of the Apollo programme, but then this set probably predates the Apollo missions by a year - my cursory investigations suggest these sets date from 1968, the set was renamed the
Johnny Apollo Moon Launch in 1970?
In the simple style of a dime-store 'readymade' but in a soft, polyethylene plastic, like the
T.Cohn/Airfix vehicles in the shops at the same time, rather than the more frangible polystyrene of the true 'dimestores'.
The hook and string are missing, usually a sturdy length of button-thread, I'll have to hope one turns up on a damaged model, going cheap! There was only one helicopter in the set, one of the few pieces not duplicated.
The bulges seem to be an attempt at the flotation wheel-housings of the
Sea King, but placed up on the top of the helicopter? It's a 'space helicopter' isn't it? For a space station! It's certainly in 'space toy' metallic blue plastic!
6 comments:
Hugh, your helicopter is by Marx. It is missing a second long blade. This is a later version as the original version did not have the winch. The original version was in their Training Center Playsets. Stad
Cheers Paul, like a second whole pair of blades sitting on top of the ones in the photo's? Makes sense, there's a spigot for something! I knew it was Marx, I'm going through the set in parts, but cheers for the other bits!
H
nice helicopter even though it is missing a blade.
It would look good painted-up and posed with those Dan Dare ones we looked at, Jan!
H
Hello Hugh, I think this is meant to be a Sikorsky S-56 load carrier - so the side bulges would be the engine pods. The picture on the case suggests it is transporting the capsule.
Oh blimey! Yes, what an ugly beast! I think you're right though! I've also since discovered it should have plug-in wheels (4 & 5) under those bulges, I did wonder if anything should be in the two little holes?
For other readers;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_CH-37_Mojave
H
Post a Comment