Marx Battleground, Training Center, and Other Military Playset Pieces - Nike Missile Launcher - Complete Original - Silver HP

With today being the 4th of July, nothing says The Fourth like setting off a bunch of Nike missiles! 😁

These things first appeared in 1956 Marx military playsets. Later, Marx would make a larger version which appeared in Cape Canaveral sets, but these smaller ones were just right for the Training Center and Battleground sets. I have two of the originals in the collection, but the second one has an incomplete launch mechanism and is missing the compass on the base. Missiles came in a variety of colors: silver, metallic blue, gray, red, white, and blue, and yellow. Overall it measures: 5.75" (14.60cm) D x 3.125" (8.25cm) W x 4.5" (11.43cm) H. 

Ed

The launch mechanism is the same one that was used on Marx military trains, as seen below as part of a Marx Cape Canaveral Express train set:

1956 Sears Wishbook Extract

A clever little addition to the missile launcher - a little compass in the base

Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A. - Pt 2 Missile Defense Base

According to the box, this component of the Deluxe Reading Rocket Base USA is called the 'Missile Defense Base' and consists of a launch pad with three missile launchers. It is faced by a really cool control panel albeit with non-operating controls. My sample is missing two of the missiles and one of the launchers, and the other two launchers will not maintain an upright position. Still, it's a pretty cool toy and I'll have to be on the lookout for replacement pieces this year. The whole thing measures: 9.75" (24.76cm) W x 6" (15.24cm) D x 5" (12.7cm) H (to top of railings). Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed

Deluxe Reading Rocket Base USA - Pt 1 Box & Set

A couple of years ago I got this boxed Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A. set to go with my Operation X-500 (which still hasn't been photographed!). While my set has issues - lots of them - all the major components are there (minus one missile launcher): 

-the beautiful colors on the box are gone, faded to nothingness

-a previous owner put decals on the truck that are more appropriate for the service pit at a NASCAR race

-there are no figures

-two of the missiles are missing

-and some railings are broken

I have yet to find an item number or set number as none is listed on the box or any instruction sheet I've seen on the Internet

Yet, in spite of all that, when this is assembled it still looks like a formidable toy. 

Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed

Culled from fleaBay

Culled from fleaBay

A nice compact grouping of awesome toys.