Another REALLY COOL toy I had (Christmas, 1966) that I wish I still had, was the battery operated "Lost In Space Robot!" (I STILL remember the noise it made, and, also, the box it came in!)
I still have this Robby the robot, but it doesn't move much... Mine is plastic not die cast like this.
"ROBBY"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bought a replica off eBay a few years ago (gotta get new batteries!) One of the COOLEST "classic-era" 'bots of ALL time!!!!!
Speaking of the SUPER-COOL b/o 1960s "Lost In Space" Robot; I've recently seen examples (w/box) going for over $1,600!!!!!!!!! NEVER thought that the toys we once so happily played with, 50-60 odd years ago would one day be valuable (and COSTLY!) collector's items!!
Star Cruiser UFO (Cox, 1978) It was powered by a Cox engine that used a methanol-oil mix. Star Cruiser 1978 image:
That is COOL!!!!!!!!!! Think of all the non-"Star Wars" toys which were clearly inspired by the original film alone; the unspiration was indeed QUITE clear! I STILL remember a "Star Wars" arcade game wedged into a corner of the convenience store a few blocks from my brother's house, well over 40 years ago (was QUITE popular, indeed!) Was TOTALLY cool (be worth a fortune, today, especially in working order!)
Anyone else remember those clear plastic "water pressure-powered" rockets that you'd pump full of water, to launch them? (I'm going back to the 60s, here!) You could find these in any five-and-ten, or any candy store, and pay about 59 cents; seemed all the guys on my block had one, back then....they WERE a LOT of FUN, for sure!
The basic one is shown in the image below. One was multi-stage. Some had a capsule on top that would separate and descend with a parachute. image:
That flying saucer toy conjures up late-70s images of an aging Lorne Greene in Battlestar Galactica flying cowboy-style on a Star Wars-inspired, giant, gas-guzzling, lumbering, Chrysler spaceship, complete with rich Corinthian leather!.
Yep, that'S JUST what I was recalling! Man, the fun we guys had, playing "Cape Kennedy", so long ago!
I was thinking of the same thing after reading about the gyrocopter. I had one of these. It was fun. I'm sure it broke at some point.