Tonka Pressed Steel T.F.D #5 Life Net Aerial Ladder Truck Fire Engine *SOLD*

Tonka Pressed Steel T.F.D #5 Life Net Aerial Ladder Truck Fire Engine 

This is a vintage pressed steel T.F.D #5 Life Net aerial ladder truck fire engine that was manufactured by Tonka Toys of Mound, Minnesota.   

All of the ladders are present, the ladder rotates, raises, lowers, and extends by hand. The black plastic tiller (pictured) has been replaced by an appropriate recast (see picture). It looks great and displays well.

The black rubber tires are still intact, but as per usual with toys of this age, they may have petrified, discolored, warped, and/or cracked. We did not notice any issues with the tires and the wheels turn as they should.  

This piece is in great all original condition with repairs or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. This is approximately 35″ L from the front of the cab to the end of the ladder. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.    

A brief history of Tonka Toys of Mound, Minnesota:   

Tonka was begun by Lynn Everett Baker, Avery F. Crounse, and Alvin F. Tesch in 1946, but it didn’t start out as Tonka; instead Mound Metalcraft in 1946.   Tesch re-engineered some old toy concepts left by their building’s previous tenants and dubbed the toys “Tanka,” which means “big” in the Dakota Sioux tongue.