The effectiveness of aircraft carriers during the Pacific War revolutionised naval warfare strategy.
When Japan surrendered, the US Navy had 128 combat and escort aircraft carriers.
In the 1950s, toy manufacturers began selling these ships to Nimitz young admirers.
In Germany
Gama offered a large toy with a lithographed metal deck and a plastic body.
The yellow plane could be pushed along the runway in both directions, rolling on the floor.
1950s, clockwork mechanism, length: 44 cm
Lehmann offered ‘Mars’, made of plastic with a clockwork mechanism, the marine propeller propelled it on the water.
1960s, length: 20 cm
In Spain
Here is a mechanical aircraft carrier from Rico, it rolls on the floor and two planes fly over it.
1950s, length: 20 cm
In the United States
Marx did not escape the craze for these toys and had the Enterprise 65 manufactured in Japan. Equipped with an electric motor, it could perform numerous actions, including launching missiles, catapulting fighter planes and taking off in a helicopter. The toy rolled along the floor and its lights flashed.
1960s, length: 51.5 cm
In Hong Kong
Plastic toy with clockwork mechanism, the marine propeller propels the ship through the water.
1960s, length: 40 cm
In Italy
Siro Ferrari included this painted wooden aircraft carrier in his catalogue. The clockwork mechanism drives a propeller that moves the ship, its rudder can be steered, and there are small lithographed metal planes.
Circa 1940, length: 50 cm
In Japan
Many Japanese manufacturers produced amusing toy aircraft carriers with multiple actions.
Daiya
A crank activates a flywheel, propelling the ship forward on the water with its marine propeller, while the helicopter’s rotor spins.
1953-1955, length: 24.5 cm
S.N
Friction mechanism: the toy rolls along the ground and the helicopter lifts off.
1960s, length: 24 cm
Friction mechanism: the toy rolls along the ground, the helicopter rotor spins and the flag waves.
1960s, length: 24 cm
Yanoman
Friction mechanism, the toy rolls on the floor, the helicopter flies over it in a circle, its rotor spins.
1960s, length: 22 cm
Friction mechanism, the toy rolls on the floor, the propellers of the planes spin.
1960s, length: 22 cm