Line Mar - SABENA Piasecki

[Tone]

I have this tin Line Mar Toys Piasecki HUP1 that's 10 inches long. It's missing the rear wheel but the action still works fairly well even though the toy rests on its "direction changer." What is the proper name for that piece?

I have seen other toys using this tooling or similar tooling.

I doubt SABENA operated this helicopter model in reality.

[hovermd]

Thanks for the great post!

I personally would call that missing part a "tail wheel." On the clockwork toys like yours, the tail wheel is almost always fixed in one position and at a slight angle to cause the toy to move in a circle. Many of the clockwork versions of this toy also feature "take-off action," which amounts to a small arm that periodically lifst the rear of the toy skyward as it rolls.

You are correct that Sabena Airways never operated the Piasecki H-25 (HUP-1 and HUP-2) helicopter shown here. In 1950, Sabena began using the Bell 47 helicopter for mail transport. However, the Bell 47 was soon replaced the Sikorsky S-55 and S-58 helicopters. And, passenger services were established. The Sikorsky helos were used by Sebena regulary during the 1950s to early 1960s.

I do have a number of Sikorsky S-55 and S-58 toys in the Sikorsky livery. As a side note, I also have a couple different Boeing Vertol 107s in the Sabena livery - more "poetic liscense" by the Japanese manufacturers.

I might also mention that the styling of your Piasecki H-25 Sabena helicopter is probably one of the most frequently used by helicopter toy manufacturers, especially the Japanese. I have just shy of 50 different Piasecki H-25 toys in a huge variety liveries and lithos.

[grwebster]

mark, get out the camera! We would love seeing much more of what you have.

[alas]

two nice sabena's!

[Tone]

Looks like you have got a "Cragstan" (upper photo-I don't know the real maker, yet) and a Daiya (lower photo).

[hovermd]

Marusan of Japan released a Sabena toy identical to the first one in this post.

I'd love to hear who made that Cragstan toy. I've never been able to examine the original box to see if a maker is identified there or not.

I do own the toy and can see no identifying maker marks on it...

By the way, the Cragstan toy was released at least as early as 1957 based on ads I've seen.

[Tone]

Here is a photo of a New York Airways version I have seen recently. Note the different flight deck and cabin windows.

[craviola990]

Great photos guys, thanks!

Did anyone ever do the Boeing/Vertol 107 in the rare Pan Am livery, or even New York Airways?

Best, Christian

[Dakota]

Hello chopper boys,

Very nice models. SABENA was indeed helicopter pioneer in Europe. They operated the Bell 47, S-55, S-58 but also one Alouette II and on loan during the Brussels World Exhibition 'Expo 58', a Widgeon and two Vertol 44. During the last years of helicoper services they had on trial a S-62 (N976) and a Vertol 107 (N74060).

Fernand - Belgium

[fliegerii]

Did anyone ever do the Boeing/Vertol 107 in the rare Pan Am livery, or even New York Airways?

Look here:

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=1036