MECHANICALLY-POWERED SUBMARINES (2)
JAPANESE PRODUCTION
The production of Japanese toy submarines started in the 1930s, but its golden age took place mainly between 1955 and 1970. From the first, it must be noticed that apart from electrical subs, all others are mechanically-powered, with a wheel, a naval adaptation of the “friction” system used for floor toys. Next, two toys of identical size, shape and weight – but different decorations – may come from the same or different makers. When to top it all nothing is written on the toy or its box – provided it still exists – this becomes Mission: Impossible! The only discernible mark on those things is “Made in Japan,” period. So we’ll have to make do. Let us finally mention that two brands dominated the market and exported in bulk: “Marusan” in the 50-60s, then “Linemar” in the 60-70s. The first has its own website (see the dedicated chapter); the other is widely quoted in home pages or commercial sites. Lots of those toys can still be found, so prices remain reasonable. William Gallagher, the president of Marusan USA, was kind enough to add precisions about the toys shown here, and specified that Japanese brands do not have their own factories, but sub-contract the manufacture to others, whence the variants noticed.
To simplify, I give the brands of the subs shown here as indications only, unless I am sure about the origin.
Let us say for now that they are all products from or derived from Marusan – unless there is a visible mark: the “SAN” logo identifies Marusan, as proved by a close look at an electrical Nautilus’ box (see dedicated chapter).
Let’s start with the mechanics. How do those things work?
1) They all use dynamic diving;
2) They all have diving bars, at the bow or stern, and are all equipped with a ballast (at the stern, notice the filling hole with its cap).
3) The crank (the “S”-shaped thing on the bridge) is used as a key to launch a heavy inertial wheel, which powers a reduction, a transmission, then the propeller. The drawback is a shorter autonomy than with a key-wound engine; the advantage is: no more “where in (expletive deleted) did I put that (expletive deleted) key?”
Let’s now proceed with a detailed review.
Those three little subs marked respectively SSN7, SSN8 and Sea Wolf are totally identical, except for the diving foils on the rudder; lithographed sheet metal, same hull mold to the detail, 8”.
The SAN brand, followed by the inevitable “Made in Japan,” is printed at the stern of the subs.
J *
Same remark for that little Skate (5”) 1959-1961, also stamped “SAN” with n° 571 on the tower... the number of Rickover’s Nautilus!
J *
Without a doubt, this damaged post-war X27 (exported to England, even then...) is a Marusan. Painted sheet metal, 9”, 1955-1961. No ballast. The same in good condition with its box. (Mestrot Collection)
J ***
Apart from decoration, those two subs are also SANs, absolutely identical. Lithographed sheet metal, 1955-1967, 10”, with “SSN25” and “J187” registration numbers.
J **
This big submarine is a Nautilus (571) of lithographed sheet metal, 1959-1961. 15” long. neither the rudder nor forward missile are original. The brand printed at the rear reads: Inokito Japan
J **
Another SAN, SSN571, 15”, lithographed sheet metal, 1961. A Skate... n° 571!
J ***
... just like this Nautilus, of lithographed sheet metal, 17”, six diving bars. The box (one of the few preserved ones) shows a brand: SKK (Shinsei Koago Kabashi), as well as a small logo under the hull. There is a cannon at the front of the tower (and not a missile as shown above); the top tips over to show the engine’s two greasing points.
The supports of the two periscopes lock those points once the tower is back in position.
J ***
Meanwhile the Nautilus has become SSN 58, still a SAN. Lithographed sheet metal, 13”, late 50s.
J *
This small sheet metal and plastic submarine is presented as English, but has all the characteristics of a Japanese sub... “Made in UK,” in the 1960-70s, 9”.
The box bear a number, 187; even the box is Japanese-style. Is it a licensed production? A clue: the box bears the registration number J 187, just like the 10”-SAN described above.
J or UK ***
This magnificent TM105, superbly lithographed, 14” long, from “Modern Toys (?) bears the license numbers 9667, 7959 and 9528!!! Damned, a licensed sub-contractor?
William Gallagher specified that the maker was actually the Masuyada Toys company; this brand made 6 submarines.
J *****
This painted sheet metal Marusan dates from early 50s. 13” long, this is a rare historical piece.
J *****
All those submarines bear the names of famous American submarines of the times: Skate, Nautilus, Seawolf, only the Skipjack is missing.
Since then, the Japanese have started building submarines again... real ones ! and good ones too...
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
