REMCO Hamilton's Invaders - Pt 5 The Toys: Horrible Hamilton - The Big Bug

Here's the basis for this whole line-up of toys: Horrible Hamilton himself (herself? its self?) The Big Bug. Again, how and why they came up with 'Horrible Hamilton' as a name befuddles me (or, as my 10yr old granddaughter says "I'm confuzzled" LOL). This bug operates on a pull-string spring mechanism: pull the string which winds up the motor, release, causing the front and rear legs to move in an alternating fashion, propelling the beast forward. The pincers or mandibles open and close manually allowing Junior to place a hapless victim in its grasp. Many bugs have broken pincers.

If you're a collector, be prepared to shell out some serious money for a fully intact, working bug in pristine condition. I've seen them offered for $600!! However, bargains are to be had. As stated in a previous post, these toys couldn't withstand rough play and were prone to breaking. I bought one years ago that had the right front claw and antennas completely missing for about $50 (a lot for a broken toy, but still okay for these guys). I figured I could use him as a casualty in any future set-up. Last year I bough a nearly intact Horrible that was inoperable. That one has a broken tail but as they say "it displays well." Enjoy! Opa Fritz

My two Horrible Hamilton's

The bug measures: 10.75" (27.30cm) L x 7" (17.78cm) W x 5" (12.7cm) H

Horrible #1

The right front claw is gone as are the antenna.

However it has an intact tail.

Horrible #2

This one has a broken tail and no longer works

Pincers closed

Pincers open

Here you can see the pull-string taped to the underside. On a working bug, this string would have retracted into the body. The front and rear legs move independent of each other allowing it to scurry along the floor. Quite frankly, it worked better on a hard floor vs. a carpeted one or on the dirt in the backyard