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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Marx Air Force Rescue Battalion Helicopter - large

Last week on Toys & Stuff we featured the Haji tin-litho Vertol 107 helicopter. In 1955 Piasecki Helicopter became the Vertol Aircraft Corp. and the CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter took flight in 1958.  The Haji version looks nothing like its real life counterpart, however this week Toys & Stuff features the Marx Air Force Rescue Battalion helicopter which more closely resembles the real thing. This is the second helicopter Marx made with the 'Air Force Rescue Battalion Helicopter' scheme, the other one being much smaller (see the 9 Nov 2010 Toys & Stuff post). Although the toy is done up in a U.S. Air Force scheme I could find no mention that the helicopters ever saw U.S. Air Force service. Also, the door on the prototype sits further forward than on the toy. But that brings us to a point which I make constantly, when all is said and done, these are just toys after all! This is a large toy measuring 17" (43.2cm) L x 7 3/4" (19.7cm) H (at rear) / 5" (12.7cm) H (at front) x 5 1/2" (14cm) W. The toy is battery operated and is supposed to have lights and an operating side door. My example, unfortunately, is inop. But, like they say - it displays well :-) I like it though and it makes a terrific visual impact alongside some of the smaller helicopters in the collection. Enjoy!