Tinplate6 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I recently acquired this neat little gun with the name Rocket Control on the left side... It is roughly 5.5 inches long... Ah, but when you turn the gun over, the name becomes very clear... It is a "Rocket" control, for a toy, most likely a robot. So, what robot, or space toy did this little gun control? At least 3 of you probably knows the answer to this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Toyman Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 ...glad it arrived safely, but as to what it controlled? Noel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Early catalog sightings of Robert The Robot by Ideal show a similar shaped controller. This style controller is also associated with a toy car made by Ideal (I believe called something like the Rocket Controlled Sabre Car) but I can't find an image of it. Does anyone have a pic of this car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandro Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Are you sure it is not a water pistol? I have one with a similar crank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian.. Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Here's the rocket control for Robert. Very similar but I can't see the top fin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Alessandro, it actually has remnants of a cable still in the metal collar at the muzzel end. I suspected Robert, but I wasn't sure. Toyman, yes, it arrived in perfect condition, thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 . It's actually a Marx piece: See this thread for more info: The "Jaguar" pictured in the ad: is actually a Buick Le Sabre concept car: More info on this toy car, here: http://veratryl3.rssing.com/chan-2654312/all_p1.html Here's a yellow color variation of the same car (also missing the controller): This close-up leads me to believe that the remote control cable was permanently attached. See how the outer, coiled cable looks broken off. The complete toy can be found here: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/wind-rocket-control-car-148545736 and here: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-rocket-control-futuristic-238472497 and here: http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/marx-futuristic-buick-car-controlled-134679804 Marx also released a friction version: Who has a photo of the "Rocket Control" version box? A YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bgwR_04yuM As to how this MARX car controller ended up being used in an IDEAL robot illustration is anyone's guess. The toy industry makes for strange bedfellows. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinplate6 Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Marx...of course! Thanks Joe! Now I remember...the Botstock XI ray gun paperweights Doc Atomic made from the original mold! There you go, mystery solved. Now all I need is the car to go with it. Honestly, it is an odd design choice for a toy car controller, even a futuristic one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 . Is it possible that this controller was originally meant to be used with Marx's Electric Robot? Perhaps, the decision was made NOT to do so, since it would infringe even more upon Ideal's patent for Robert the Robot? Louis Marx was always careful about copyright violation lawsuits. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electric Robot and Son Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Noel, Didn't you also have some of the cars up for auction on ebay? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dratomic Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I was watching this one... Kind of forgot to bid, though. Glad it went to a friend! :) (Joe Markee was nice enough to give me one at Botstock so I've got an example in my collection.) JOE K. -- Doesn't an early photo or drawing of Ideal's Robert the Robot show this style of controller being used? Oh, and to clarify: I don't actually have the mold cavity -- I have the reverse piece (the die? the hob?) that's used to create the mold cavity. From that I was able to make those paperweights for Botstock. The thing weighs about a million pounds -- it's solid steel! Credit to David Kirk for finding it at a flea market and calling me, and then picking it up and holding on to it until we could meet up about a year later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe K. Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 Here's the box for the rocket control version (click on images to enlarge): As seen in this BIN listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MARX-PROTO-51-BUICK-SABRE-MECHANICAL-CABLE-REMOTE-ROCKET-CONTROL-RARE/302575386628?hash=item4672e60004:g:jyMAAOSwg0pZY6nS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fineas J. Whoopie Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 I think it would be cool to get one of these remotes to use with a Robert The Robot. A Banner Helmet and Goggles and maybe a framed print of this picture would complete the display. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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