Toys and Stuff

Monday, May 25, 2026

Marx TBM-3W Avenger "Guppy" - Yellow HP

Researching toy planes to see if they match up with real life planes is fun, and I've been able to identify a lot of toys, but every now and then toy companies just do their own thing and throw me for a loop. This was one of those times. At first I was thinking this plane could be a Seversky P-35. Marx had done a stamped metal version of the plane which I posted here on Toys and Stuff back in 2016 but it didn't quite fit the bill. After some time scouring the Internet, the only plane that came close was the TBM-3W Avenger which first appeared in 1946. The give-away was that gawky, awkward canopy but there appeared to be a couple of versions of the plane, neither of which was an exact match to the toy version. One of the real version's had mini-vertical stabilizers at the end of each rear horizontal stabilizer while the other had a normal horizontal stabilizer. Both versions have that bulbous radar housing under the fuselage not seen on the toy. The TBM-3W was nicknamed the "Guppy" and is also referred to as "The Ugly Avenger" but it was America's first foray into the airborne early warning system of which planes like the AWACS are descendants of.

Marx's version omits the large radar housing under the fuselage but is otherwise an okay rendition. I 'get' that Marx couldn't do the radar bump because nearly all of Marx's small airplanes were molded with a hollow fuselage's. Adding that bump in a way that allowed the plane to look prototypical would have been more work than was profitable. The toy measures 4.75" (12,06cm) L x 5.75" (14, 60cm) wingspan x 1.5" (3,81cm) H.

Seversky P-35

Culled from the Internet

Stamped Metal P-35

TBM-3W Avenger "Guppy" (The "Ugly" Avenger)

Culled from the Internet

Marx's Fantasy TBM-3W

TRAIN TIME: Running Custom Marx Army Trains on Memorial Day

For some people - like me - it seems that holidays just sort of sneak up on us and we're caught totally unprepared, which is strange because it's not like they're kept a secret from anyone! This year's Memorial Day was no exception. It's the day we honor those who have fallen in the service of our country and it always comes on the last Monday of May. So why then do I always end up rushing at the last moment to prepare a little something for remembrance???

Each year I generally run an Army train on Memorial Day because my brother -who was killed during WWII - had served in the Army, so it seems fitting. For days like Armed Force Day, or Veteran's Day or July 4th, I tend to pull out other trains like Cape Canaveral, Air Force, or a patriotic themed train. This year's train is one which I haven't run yet because a couple of the cars were relatively recent purchases. Details about each car are covered below..

Memorial Day Custom Marx Army Train Run

Here's the link to the YouTube video I just posted of this year's Memorial Day run

The Train

The Engine

The engine used for this years run was a repainted Marx diecast #666 2-4-2. This engine was purchased as part of a custom Marx Army train with plastic Army train cars but is pulling a load of tin cars this year. I didn't keep records of who actually did the work on this engine, but I do like it.

The Cars

All the cars were handmade by Peter Wassmiller (eBay seller 'handmade toys') and were purchased over the course of several years. He doesn't make many cars - apparently preferring to make tin buildings instead - and so it's a treat to be able to acquire them when offered for sale. All the panel lines, rivets, and lettering is done by hand, giving each piece a folk art feel. His metal-working skills are far beyond anything I could do so I'm glad to buy from him.

Army No. 7 AA Missile Battery Car

The basis for this custom is a Marx 6" 4-wheel tin car which has had a custom made missile launch rack installed. The metal launcher raises and lowers, however, the launch tube is too tight be able to actually fire off a missile, so it just sits there looking pretty.

Flatcar With Army Truck and Trailer Load

The basis for this mod, was a Marx 7" 4-wheel flatcar on which sits two handmade faux Marx loads. Both the truck and the trailer are totally handmade but made to look like Marx Prewar stamped metal pieces.

Crane Car

The basis for this was a Marx 6" 4-wheel flatcar. The crane is scratch-built and operates by hand. The crane swivels, and the boom raises and lowers. I haven't yet gotten around to doing a complete photo essay on this one.