De Havilland Venom toy ?

[Paul-427]

A few years ago at a jumble sale,I came across this cast aluminium model of a Venom that had been used as a toy for a number of years. It was just in a toy box and absolutely battered.

I bought it and thought I can clean it up a bit and it might be interesting.

After straightening, filing and polishing, it came out quite well. However, there are no markings to suggest who made it or why so I thought I'd ask here.

Any ideas ?

[NDA]

Perhaps it was someones metalwork project at college and not commercially produced?

[Eric Mc]

That is quite nice.

It depicts one of the twin seat versions.

Technically, it looks more like a Sea Venom than the RAF night fighter version.

[twister]

Hmm, that tickles a vague memory from my childhood - somewhere in the loft there's a storage crate that has something that looks very similar to that, though mine was never as clean as that, and I don't recall it having wingtip tanks either.

[twister]

Actually, a quick Google suggests the thing in my loft is actually a Sea Vixen:

https://www.toymart.com/Dinky-738-DH110-Sea-Vixen/...

[Mort7]

My father worked as a craftsman in a foundry in Slough, and regularly made cast aluminium models for travel agents, etc, which would then be painted for display. I remember a Boeing 707 and Lockheed Constellation which I had at home when I was young (no idea where they are now). He also had a gunmetal Spitfire with a .303 round as a stand which he'd made. I think my brother has that.

He was a very skilled, and made all sorts of stuff including, I believe, parts for Concorde. It's possible that this may have been one of his, but can't be certain of course.

[hammo19]

Could be an apprentice item. Made by someone on an aviation/engineering/metalwork course. I have an Aston Martin moulding made by an apprentice.

[Paul-427]

There must be an amazing amount of special stuff like this.

Let's see what else you have.

[sir benny]

I have this P38 Lightning model. I was told that it was made by a prisoner of war but I have no way of knowing if that’s true. Unfortunately over time it’s lost a propeller which prompts me to ask if anyone knows how I could get a replacement made up?

[Yertis]

A silversmith would be a good bet for getting a new prop made.

These metal models seem to be of the post-war period. I’ve no idea who made them but I’ve had a Spitfire, sadly lost somewhere, and a Fulmar. My Nan picked them up at jumble sales. I’ll dig the Fulmar out.

[Simpo Two]

sir benny said:

I have this P38 Lightning model. I was told that it was made by a prisoner of war but I have no way of knowing if that’s true. Unfortunately over time it’s lost a propeller which prompts me to ask if anyone knows how I could get a replacement made up?

The answer is probably to make a mould of the one you have and cast it in a suitable metal. Not something I've tried though.