Canamwing

I finally got a tin TCA aircraft!!!
Does anybody know of other TCA tin planes that were made?

ExCPAir

Hello .... Several tin models of TCA a/c have been produced. When I was a kid I had a super model of a Viscount with retracting landing gear. The props turned when you squeezed a handle underneath the model. Played with that Viscount until It was retired to the bone yard. It had a beatiful litho print ... quite accurate. At last week's YYZ Airliner Show, one table had a well preserved model of a TCA connie, and I remember there was a DC-8. Happy hunting! Let me know if you ever find another Viscount!

Canamwing

I have seen the viscount on ebay a few years ago. The auction was cancelled before it was over. The person probably just wanted to see what they could get for it. If someone would have a picture of one it would be nice to see.

ANTHONY F DUVA JR

"Does anybody know of other TCA tin planes that were made?"

Funny you should ask, I just got one last week. In excellent condition, span of 15 1/2" (38 cm), looking much like a DC-6, but with the "Viscount" markings, and registration CF-TGI.

I too have the realistic Viscount with retracting u/c/ and lever-operated props. It was made in Germany by Biller, which used a trade mark of the letter "B" with a wind-up key.

The other one I have was made by Line Mar Toys. It has a wing span of 11" (30 cm) and registration CF-TGM. More commonly found in 50s United colors, by Line Mar Toys, i.e. made in Japan for the Louis Marx Co., a leading US toy firm since the 1920s.

A large Constellation with 19 1/2" (49 cm) wing span, and friction-powered with spinning props, was made in Germany by Arnold. The TCA version sold for over $1,000 US in a 1991 sale - I kept the auction booklet.

Two other interesting and inaccurate models exist. The first has two props, and was made by Bandai. It has a round nose like a Stratocruiser and span of 16" (40 cm). The second is a Stratocruiser with span of 15" (38 cm), made by the Momoya company whose logo was a peach with two leaves, and in addition to the regular red TCA markings, it has blue stripes. It says "North Star" on the nose in small letters. I have both of these planes in my collection in different colors. I had not seen the TCA versions until I started looking at eBay auctions.

In addition to the tin toys I have a very small grey plastic Vanguard and DC-8 marked "TCA" - both were actually made in Canada.

Interestingly - all of these models are in the bare metal colors. None has the white crown.

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ANTHONY F DUVA JR

This is my TCA Viscount made in Germany in the 1950s by Biller.

One lever atop the fuselage raises and lowers the gear, while a lever underneath rotates the props.

This is a very well-made toy with a span of around 11".

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ExCPAir

Anthony .... That's the one I had as a kid! It looks like yours just came out of the box. If you ever see another, I would appreciate knowing about it. Thanks for the pics. ~ Hugh

ANTHONY F DUVA JR

For what it's worth, I bought it from a fellow named Bruce Charkow at Airliners Northeast 1992. He is from Toronto ON and he collects TCA memorabilia and Stratocruiser stuff.

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ANTHONY F DUVA JR

A similar TCA Viscount is up for auction on eBay currently. It looks even better than mine, since it is not missing any prop blades. Do a search for "tin airplane."

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