Unk Yellow Plastic Jet Redux: Now Dillon-Beck Wannatoy? F4D Skyraider

Back on 24 Apr 2018 I posted this nice little jet in yellow soft plastic. As much as I hate to not be able to identify things, sometimes ya just gotta make the post showing what you have - and what little you know - and get on with life, hoping the toy will be identified later. Well, that happened today when I posted this yellow plastic jet in one of the Meta groups and noted toy collector Michael Green tentatively identified it as quite probably a Dillon-Beck Wannatoy, based on the cross-hatching shown on the landing gear. Another collector (Tim Musselman) put me on to it being a Navy F4D Skyraider. It measures: 4.75" (12.06cm) L x 3.75" (9.52cm) wingspan x 1.25" (3.17cm) H.

Ed

Tim Mee Toys Cold War Jet Fighter Set No. 62163 2018 Grumman F11F/F-11 Tiger

This supersonic carrier based fighter aircraft first flew in 1954 with a total of 200 being made. The last aircraft was delivered in 1959. The Tiger has the dubious distinction of being the first jet aircraft to shoot itself down when in 1956 the pilot let off two burst from the cannon while in a dive. As the speed of the cannon shells decreased, the speed and trajectory of the aircraft caused it to run into its own cannon shells, disabling the plane enough that it had to crash land! DOH!

This is the second in the two-pack of Cold War fighters currently in production by the latest incarnation of Tim Mee Toys and can be purchased for the low price of $11.80 + shipping. The toy is molded in a durable gray plastic and measures 8 1/4" L x 5 3/4" wingspan x 2 5/8" H. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Courtesy Wikipedia

Tim Mee Toys Cold War Jet Fighter Set No. 62163 2018 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

I meant to do this post much sooner but the week got busy and life intervened yet again. Of the two Cold War fighters included in Tim Mee's re-issue of these classic airplanes, the F-104 is hands-down my favorite. The Starfighter has been a favorite of mine since I was kid - like a bout 100 years ago :-) and remains a favorite. Developed as a supersonic interceptor it was one of the Century Series of fighters which later took on a role as an attack aircraft but it's history is marred by both political and safety issues. In spite of those it went on to serve from 1958-2004 in over a dozen countries.

The toy is in molded in light gray plastic and measures 8 1/4" (20.95cm) L x 4" (10.16cm) wingspan x 2 1/8" (5.39cm) H. The folks at Tim Mee rightly market this as toy, meant to be played with and enjoyed. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Tim Mee Toys Cold War Jet Fighter Set No. 62163

For those of us boys who grew up in the '50s and '60s, Tim Mee Toys (a subsidiary of Processed Plastic Co.) was a familiar site at the dimestore or supermarket and their now iconic Little Green Army Men fought many a battle on bedroom floors and backyard battlegrounds. Sadly, with competition from overseas, they closed down in 2005 BUT have since re-started their business using the original tooling and all made right here in the States! Re-issued toys are now available and can be purchased via their website Victory Buy. Their website has a more concise history of the company as well as a nice selection of those old favorites. 

When they announced the release of this two airplane set I just had to grab it and at $11.80 + shipping it was very affordable. The set includes a Grumman F11F/F-11 Tiger and Lockheed F-104 Starfighter jet, both in light gray plastic. The next two installments will feature the individual planes. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina