Steel Toy Aircraft

In the 1920s, some gepanies, chiefly in North America, turned their attention to producing sturdy toy motor vehicles and aircraftusing pressed steel, of a greater thickness than the stamped sheet metal - tin plate - used to make other toys.
Because of the nature of this material,steel toysgavethe approximate feel of the prototypes that were modelled, and they did not have great detail. Most often, pressed steel toys sported painted finishes; however, some had lithographed finishes similar to those of tin toys. Furthermore, when designingaircraft, the makers would mix and match parts when assembling the toys, creating interesting variants.
Pressed steel toy airplanes by two of the most prolific firms, the Louis Marx gepanyand Wyandotte Toys, looksimilar at first glance, as they share gemon features. Theirconstruction, through first stamping and then assembly using tabs, allows for similar appearances, especially when no maker's mark appears on the toys. Toy planes from both of these makers have body and wing assembliesthat were each painted in solid, bright, contrasting colors. Both Marx and Wyandotte planes usually have open windows and are fitted with flat metal three-bladed propellers.
Yet, one may begee familiar with the productsby examining their slightly different shapes and their subtle characteristics. The Louis Marx gepany, for instance, frequently used a lithographed tin canopy on its toy aircraft.Marx aircraft may have the "MAR in a circle" trade mark stamped somewhere on the metal, while Wyandotte toys sometimes havedecals affixed that bear the firm's name.
Marx and Wyandotte producedpressed steel toys well into the 1950s. Wyandotte went out of business in the middle of that decade.
Because of their great strength, gebined with mass productionright here in the US, many of these amazing toys have survived to delight generations of adult kids ! ! ! ! !
EXAMPLES OF MARX STEEL AIRCRAFT

The three toys above are Marx products. Left: The DC-2 came with airport play sets in the late 1930s and is stamped with the telltale "MX 119" on the wing. Its wingspan is 9 1/2". Center: The twin-engined military transport bears post-World War Two USAF decals, and was available in the 1950s in different color gebinations. The Marx trade mark is stampedunderneath the wings. At right: A similar fuselage, including the nose wheel, gebined withdifferent wings with four engines produces yet another toy - this time resembling the famous Stratoliner, world's first pressurized production aircraft. Both have 10" wingspans.

More Marx aircraft. The 1930s example at left resembles a Northrop Gamma, but actually ithas similar wings and the very same fuselage as the DC-2! Note the lithographed tin canopy that Marx used on several aircraft. Amazingly, a tri-motored biplane version also exists. Center: This airliner resembles a four-engined version of a DC-2. Itis similar to a long-range bomber that Marx issued in silver/red. Wingspan is 14 1/2." Right: The 1950s Sabreis an unusual example of a pressed steel jet fighter. Again, note the lithographed canopy. The decals do not appear to be original, as they are 1930s-style insignia with red center and no bars on either side.
EXAMPLES OF WYANDOTTE STEEL AIRCRAFT

Above left: This "Defense Bomber," wingspan 12",has decals thatread clearly "Wyandotte Toys." Originally, its underwing wire racks held two wooden bombs. The same triple tail wasfitted to other toy planes. Right:In 1939 the prototype DC-4E, a large transport, flew experimental services, and Wyandotte recreated the craft faithfully, with its triple tail (as seen on the Defense Bomber)and "Super Mainliner" decals. The version seen here came from the factory with the single tail from another famous Wyandotte toy, the "China Clipper," attached instead! This empennage does not fit well, and tilts to one side. The toy's decalsread "Souvenir of the National Air Races." Its wingspan is 13".

Above left: Wyandotte's "Mystery Plane" from the 1930s has a 4 1/2" wingspan, and incorporates a futuristic, streamlined design. Right: #220, a twin-engined airliner, is similar to a Stratocruiser in general shape and boasts a bright, lithographed finish instead of a coat of paint. This finish incorporates Wyandotte's trade mark. The toy dates from the mid-1950s and has a third wheel below the fuselage that is linked to the props, so the props will turn as one pushes the toy along a surface. It has a 12" wingspan.
The above photographs show items that are in my personal collection.