# What was this toy called? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 22, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414 "2013-04-22T17:20:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/1 "2013-04-22T17:20:49Z")
When I was little, mid-'60s, I had a Naval toy consisting of a motorised ship and a torpedo-firing submarine; both in ‘battleship grey’. The ship might have been about 12" long, and the sub was probably shorter. The ship rolled forward on the motorised wheels; and as it did, it rocked side-to-side. In the middle of the ship was a panel 2" or 3" long and maybe an inch high. The object of the toy was to fire a torpedo projectile from the submarine’s spring-loaded torpedo tube, and hit the panel on the ship. If the panel was hit, rubber bands (IIRC – maybe it was springs) inside of the ship would cause the decks to blow off in two sections, indicating that you’ve sunk it. I don’t recall if this also shut off the battery-powered motor that propelled the ship. Can anyone tell me what this toy was called, and who made it? ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/2 "2013-04-22T17:42:28Z")
Well, here’s one page with a section of “Ships and Submarines” fairly far down. I can’t tell if yours is there, though. > **[Top Vintage Toy Favorites - 1950s 1960s 1970s](https://www.timewarptoys.com/toptoys.htm)** > > 1950s, 1960s, 1970s Vintage & Collectible Old Toys For Sale, antique toy, games, toy robots, play guns, monsters, space, 1964 NYWF, 1960's,1970's ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/3 "2013-04-22T17:57:14Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Well, here’s one page with a section of “Ships and Submarines” fairly far down. I can’t tell if yours is there, though. > > [Top Vintage Toy Favorites - 1950s 1960s 1970s](http://www.timewarptoys.com/toptoys.htm) Those are all earlier than I would have had. I’m thinking 1966 at the earliest. I recall that the ship and sub looked pretty ‘accurate’ for being toys, as opposed to some of the cartoonish-looking ones on the page. The sub might have had a waterline hull, since it was supposed to sit flat on the floor. ISTR that the bottom of the ship was open, to facilitate putting it back together with the rubber bands. (I’m pretty sure the ‘explosion’ was powered by rubber bands.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/4 "2013-04-22T18:06:41Z")
I don’t know what it was called, what it was, or ever saw one or heard of it before, but it sounds really cool! ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/5 "2013-04-22T18:11:25Z")
This reminds me of a car I had as a child that would wind up and go, and when it hit the wall it would “crash” into pieces. It was so cool (off to eBay to try to find one!). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/6 "2013-04-22T18:17:59Z")
> [@Lukeinva](#): > > This reminds me of a car I had as a child that would wind up and go, and when it hit the wall it would “crash” into pieces. It was so cool (off to eBay to try to find one!). I had one of those, coolest toy I ever had, some relative gave it to me, and this thread reminded me of that too. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/7 "2013-04-22T18:21:46Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I don’t know what it was called, what it was, or ever saw one or heard of it before, but it sounds really cool! Oh, it was! The only bad thing was that we had shag carpet, and the strands would get wrapped around the axle. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/8 "2013-04-22T18:29:46Z")
Here’s another sight. I’m at work now, so I don’t have time to check and compare with your description, but just maybe… > **[antique TOY BOATS and NAUTICAL collectibles memorabilia for sale Gasoline...](http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/transportation/nautical.htm#SUBMARINES)** > > antique and collectible toy boats for sale with photos ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/9 "2013-04-22T18:33:55Z")
Did it go “zip” when it went and “bop” when it stopped? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/10 "2013-04-22T18:38:24Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > Here’s another sight. I’m at work now, so I don’t have time to check and compare with your description, but just maybe… > [antique TOY BOATS and NAUTICAL collectibles memorabilia for sale Gasoline Alley Antiques](http://www.gasolinealleyantiques.com/transportation/nautical.htm#SUBMARINES) Not there. I should mention that the submarine was not powered. It sat on the floor and was aimed by hand. > [@Doug\_K](#): > > Did it go “zip” when it went and “bop” when it stopped? There were no sound effects. The only sound was from the motor that drove the ship. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/11 "2013-04-22T19:27:22Z")
Alas, then. It may have been a good toy, but it wasn’t marvelous. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/12 "2013-04-22T19:31:24Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > [Top Vintage Toy Favorites - 1950s 1960s 1970s](http://www.timewarptoys.com/toptoys.htm) So many choking hazards, so little time. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/13 "2013-04-22T19:44:25Z")
This looks similar in concept, but is older and not motorized. [Schoenhut Toy Submarine & Exploding Dreadnought Battleship](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CTXJ1vUdms) StG ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/14 "2013-04-22T19:50:06Z")
Very similar, indeed! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/15 "2013-04-22T19:57:19Z")
[Is this it?](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Exploding-Battleship-Torpedo-Firing-Submarine-Toy-Premium-Hard-Plastic-/360640567531?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item53f7da58eb) No name, alas. StG ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/16 "2013-04-22T20:01:26Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I had one of those, coolest toy I ever had, some relative gave it to me, and this thread reminded me of that too. Hell yeah! I got TWO of those one Christmas. BEST CHRISTMAS EVER! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/17 "2013-04-22T20:15:56Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > [Is this it?](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Exploding-Battleship-Torpedo-Firing-Submarine-Toy-Premium-Hard-Plastic-/360640567531?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item53f7da58eb) No name, alas. > > StG That looks very, very close. I can’t tell if that one has a motor. If I’m remembering correctly, mine was all grey. I also recall 9within the limits of recollection) that the target was flush with the ship’s hull, on the port side. ISTR that the ship ‘steamed’ from right to left. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/18 "2013-04-22T20:27:20Z")
[Here’s one in a box](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thomas-Toy-Torpedo-Attack-Exploding-Battleship-Torpedo-Firing-Submarine-/140960938553?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item20d1ed3a39). It says it rolls on land and floats on water, meaning probably not motorized. Any chance you are conflating two different toys? It looks like it was also sold as a Bazooka Bubble Gum premium (“send in labels”). StG ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/19 "2013-04-22T20:31:13Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > Did it go “zip” when it went and “bop” when it stopped? And “whirrr!” when it stood still; I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will. I get the song reference, but can’t remember the song… :Googles: ah yes, Val Doonican and the song “Marvelous Toy”… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2013, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414/20 "2013-04-25T13:29:30Z")
So it looks like it might have been made by Thomas, and was called Torpedo Attack; only the ones posted don’t have a motorised ship. I remember that the ship was self-propelled, and I remember that it rocked as it went; but is my memory accurate? Could I have had this toy, and also a different motorised ship toy? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-this-toy-called/656414.md?page=2)