Barrage Baloon

Continuing the occasional series of pictures of Toy Soldiers.

This is a great little 'toy' from the 1940's and shows that the Model companies like Britain's were responding to the potential market of young boys in wartime. Nowadays I guess we would be horrified if a toy manufacturer brought out an 'Afghanistan Line' of Taliban v's British/American toys specifically targeted at children, but in 1940's Britain this clearly wasn't a concern! This reminds me of an recent discussion over on the Terminus Omega blog about comfort zones, particularly in relation to us wargamers. It makes some interesting points and well is worth checking out. 

This particular model can be seen at the House on the Hill Toy Museum in Stansted Mountfitchet. Made by W.Britains c 1940 this Miniature Barrage Balloon Unit comprises an OO Gauge 6 wheeled lorry with a winch and 10ft of twine linked to a latex rubber three fin Barrage Balloon also OO scale.

A Briton's latex rubber three fin Barrage Balloon in OO scale

They even have the box showing the OO Gauge 6 wheeled lorry with a winch which came with the Baloon