Yonezawa Toys (Y) Tin Lithographed Friction “Boeing B-50 Superfortress” Bomber BK250 USAF Japanese Toy Airplane *SOLD*

Yonezawa Toys (Y) Tin Lithographed Friction “Boeing B-50 Superfortress” Bomber BK250 USAF Japanese Toy Airplane 

This very large tin toy is a masterpiece of 1950’s Japanese toy making.  Each of the four propellers spin using a coil of wire coupled to the wheels, and the size is impressive. This piece was manufactured by Yonezawa Toys of Tokyo, Japan. 

The rubber tires are still intact, but as per usual with toys of this age they may have petrified, warped and/or cracked. However, we did not notice any problems with the tires. The friction mechanism works on both sides to turn the propellers; however, one side is harder to turn than the other. The wings can separate from the body. 

If you have not read “Yesterday’s Toys” by Teruhisa Kitahara, please get Volume 1.  In the book Mr. Kitihara shows beautiful pictures of the B-29 and B-50 toy variants along with concise descriptions as such: “These figures are variations on models of B-50s jets.  On some the…. propeller whirls.  All of these are large toys.” 

The Boeing B-50 Superfortress is an American strategic bomber. A post–World War II revision of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, it was fitted with more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, stronger structure, a taller tail fin, and other improvements. 

This piece is in good all original condition with no breaks, restorations, 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 18 ½” W wingspan x 14 ½” L from nose to tail. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.     

A brief history of Yonezawa Toys Co. Ltd.  (Y) of Tokyo, Japan: 

Yonezawa Toys (米澤玩具 Yonezawa Gangu) (known also as Yone or simply Y) was founded in the 1950’s in Tokyo. It was one of Japan’s largest and most prodigious post-war toy manufacturers and an early participant in the growing radio control market. 

The company and focused on the production of thousands of different electrically operated and mechanical toys through the early 1970’s. Some were branded not as Yonezawa but as STS. It is unclear as to the origin of the STS label, but it is presumed to be that of an importer. Yonezawa briefly dabbled in radio control in the mid-1980’s with the introduction of the 1/10-scale Wave Hunter buggy, sold in North America as the Monogram Lightning. 

Under Sega’s leadership, Yonezawa Toys was briefly known as Sega-Yonezawa until the Yonezawa branding was dropped entirely in April 1998. Once Sega Sammy Holdings was formed, Sega Toys was reorganized under Sega’s entertainment contents business. 

Since the early 2000’s, Sega Toys markets itself distinctively from the Sega brand, with some occasional collaboration between the two. An example of their collaboration is Sega and Sega Toys producing the UFO Catcher prize games jointly, where Sega manufactures the arcade equipment, while Sega Toys produces the prizes. (From Wikipedia)