BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters

Subject: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Bert
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 01:29 AM

In Christmas 1945 my Grandfather made me a toy battleship (Yes there was a war on). It was about two feet long and made of wood.

Actually it was made out of pieces of wood which you put together to make a battleship.

Inside was a mousetrap and the trip was connected to a button on the outside of the hull.

You shot marbles at this button and when eventually you hit it, the mousetrap tripped and the battleship exploded.

Now in all of our travels thy battleship was lost.

So, my darling Mud Catters, can anyone supply me with the plans to make this. I think they originally came from a woodworking magazine.

Thanks,

Bert

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 01:33 AM

Well, technically the war was over by Christmas 1945. (Thought I'd beat the others to it. *G*) Sounds like an exciting toy. I wonder if Little Hawk might have information?

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 05:10 AM

You might try contacting the Bethnal Green Toy Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum or this link but I think it's closed until next year.

Good luck.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 06:51 AM

My father, who was a joiner, made two of those for myself and my brother. I think he may still have his set of Practical Woodworker books from the time.

I won't be seeing him this side of Christmas, but I'll try to find plans ASAP.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: MMario
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:15 AM

this book says it has plans for a mousetrap powered exploding battleship.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:24 AM

don't forget the cheese...........................

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 09:37 AM

Mudcat is so great. Who would have thought?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 11:10 AM

Who indeed? A mousetrap powered exploding battleship. You couldn't make it up. The fulfillment of that request makes me proud of my species.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 01:05 PM

And it sounds like a lot of work only to demolish the toy. Or does it simply break apart and go back together again?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Bardford
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 01:40 PM

Here are some pictures

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Nov 05 - 04:25 PM

My dad made one of those for me too - it would probably have been for Christmas 1946, or my birthday a month earlier, because he was still away for Chriistmas 45 I'm pretty sure.

It was great, because you had to find all the bits and reassemble it before blowing it up again. Heavy ball bearings worked better than glass marbles, I seem to remember. Or you could cheat and detonate it by hand.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Peter T.
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 06:54 AM

More questions -- How is the mousetrap attached -- does it simply hit the piece above it which flies up? How does the whole thing "explode"?

How does the torpedo boat work? A catapult or something?

(I may have to get one)

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: Bert
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 03:39 PM

Wow! I KNEW I could rely on you lot.

OK, Ebbie, be pedantic *GRIN* I was six years old and we had a German prisoner of war camp right on our farm. We used to go into the village and buy cigarettes for the prisoners.

Ok Don I'll look forward to the plans your dad has.

MMario, I'll have to buy that book, it looks great.

Silly River Sage, half the fun was assembling it again.

Bardford, The one I had was a lot mre detailed, more guns and painted in grey camouflage. Thanks for the link though I bet kids could still have lots of fun with that one.

Peter T, The mousetrap trip had a pice of wood connecting it to a small button in the side of the hull. When you hit the button with a marble it tripped the mousetrap. You kept throwing marbles at the button until you hit it or until you got fed up like MgGrath did and pushed it by hand.

I have to make one soon 'cos I have a new grandbaby and I'm sure he'll grow up being a real tough guy.

Subject: RE: BS: I know I can rely on Mudcatters
From: GUEST,Chongo Chimp
Date: 19 Nov 05 - 04:42 PM

Pretty cool. I've got an exploding gorilla paperweight toy that works kind of like that. You shoot at it with a potatoe gun or something similar to that. When you hit the gorilla between the eyes, his head flies off. When you hit him in the belly button area his body explodes in all directions. It is then easy to reassemble the gorilla and start over again. Great for parties or slow afternoons in the office.

- Chongo