c.1940s.
Street Corner, Auckland.
Slush-moulded in lead, these were distinctive because of their lead hubs, and large softish black rubber removable tyres. Wrapped in newspaper and stored in boxes for many years these often exhibit 'flat' tyres with a little bit of newspaper stuck to the 'flat'. A Fordson-like tractor and two racing cars are known to be made by Tommy Doo, who was an importer, manufacturer, and distributor of many products, including firecrackers!
Tommy Doo also made some smaller figures - soldiers - each in the 'lying prone' position. One had a rather bulky machine gun, complete with matching tripod. The second man must have thought he had something even heavier, for his weapon was equipped with a two wheel carriage !Yes, you're right! The wheels had lead hubs and were decidedly heavy pneumatic tyres, same diameter as the racing car and tractor front wheels! They sure would have been handy in muddy country!
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