Information about the Taiyo Japan M-4 tin toy tank
Quote from egsegs39 on September 12, 2023, 8:31 pmHey everyone, sorry in advance if this is not the place to ask but I have just acquired a roughed up toy tank from my uncle and I've been trying to find any sort of info on it but besides some internet sales with short descriptions there wasn't much that I could gather. I can only assume this is a Taiyo Japan M-4 tin toy tank from the 60s or 70s, also the battery cover is made from plastic which I've seen is a factor that may separate models. This is most likely not an University Fleet model but I'm not betting on it. Also some bit of interesting backstory of this particular toy, the lack of some important decals raised a few questions for me when I was comparing it with some online models, especially the more American looking decals which were missing, this in combination with the paper stamp on the bottom of the tank(shown in the picture) made me realize this tank was most likely censored by a government(asked someone to read the text and it roughly translates to "the general wing for gymnastic, entertainment, educational toys and contraptions"), later when I asked my uncle of the origin of the tank he said that it originated from Libya, which explains the stamp and the censoring.
Another thing that confuses me is the circuitry of the tank: the circuit just seems to be cut off when it goes down to reconnecting all of the parts back to the batteries, so the batteries have an output but no input, the motors output is straight up connected to the chassis. I may just be uninformed on how these things work but for now it's a really confusing thing which makes me contemplate if I should just "fix" the circuit by connecting all of the elements back to the batteries. Also there's a random rubber band for which I cannot figure out a purpose.
So yeah, I think that's all for now, sorry again if this is no place for this kind of post and if it is then further questions are welcome.
Wish everyone a great day
Hey everyone, sorry in advance if this is not the place to ask but I have just acquired a roughed up toy tank from my uncle and I've been trying to find any sort of info on it but besides some internet sales with short descriptions there wasn't much that I could gather. I can only assume this is a Taiyo Japan M-4 tin toy tank from the 60s or 70s, also the battery cover is made from plastic which I've seen is a factor that may separate models. This is most likely not an University Fleet model but I'm not betting on it. Also some bit of interesting backstory of this particular toy, the lack of some important decals raised a few questions for me when I was comparing it with some online models, especially the more American looking decals which were missing, this in combination with the paper stamp on the bottom of the tank(shown in the picture) made me realize this tank was most likely censored by a government(asked someone to read the text and it roughly translates to "the general wing for gymnastic, entertainment, educational toys and contraptions"), later when I asked my uncle of the origin of the tank he said that it originated from Libya, which explains the stamp and the censoring.
Another thing that confuses me is the circuitry of the tank: the circuit just seems to be cut off when it goes down to reconnecting all of the parts back to the batteries, so the batteries have an output but no input, the motors output is straight up connected to the chassis. I may just be uninformed on how these things work but for now it's a really confusing thing which makes me contemplate if I should just "fix" the circuit by connecting all of the elements back to the batteries. Also there's a random rubber band for which I cannot figure out a purpose.
So yeah, I think that's all for now, sorry again if this is no place for this kind of post and if it is then further questions are welcome.
Wish everyone a great day
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Quote from Admin on September 16, 2023, 8:48 pmHello Egsegs39,
You're absolutely welcome to post any Taiyo product here! And thank you for doing so. Before making R/C cars, Taiyo produced these tin toys - it's where they gained all their industry knowledge and experience before they were ready to start production of radio controlled cars. That's a very interesting detail re: censorship. I'm guessing this toy was sold in the 1960s-1970s, around the time of the coup there. I love finding signs of history on vintage toys, it gives them so much character compared to something that's untouched.
The motor output being connected to the chassis (I assume you mean electrical output?) must be the earth/negative wire, so likely the battery's negative output also connects to the chassis, so that's ok. But there should be another positive wire going into the motor somewhere to control it and power it. I'm guessing it's missing, as is the turret.
Unfortunately I don't know much about Taiyo's Tin Toys at all, but that circuit/internals really is fascinating...
Trying to find info is difficult as you say, as Google just seems to return sales / stores these days, and very little information. However the best Tin Toys site I know of is here: TINPLATE TOYS JAPAN: TAIYO TINPLATE TOY MODELS (tinplate-modeltoys-made-in-japan.blogspot.com)
They don't have anything on your M-4 from what I can see, but maybe you can glean something, or contact the maker.
Also another great place to ask would be Reddit's vintage toys board. Taiyo Tin Toys are very popular, so there surely has to be someone there who knows how these are wired. Link: reddit.com/r/VintageToys/
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with your Taiyo M-4. it's a beauty, and actually in pretty darn good condition I reckon! Very clean, looks like it could be restored to mint condition.
Take care,
-OzzyMuppet / Admin
Hello Egsegs39,
You're absolutely welcome to post any Taiyo product here! And thank you for doing so. Before making R/C cars, Taiyo produced these tin toys - it's where they gained all their industry knowledge and experience before they were ready to start production of radio controlled cars. That's a very interesting detail re: censorship. I'm guessing this toy was sold in the 1960s-1970s, around the time of the coup there. I love finding signs of history on vintage toys, it gives them so much character compared to something that's untouched.
The motor output being connected to the chassis (I assume you mean electrical output?) must be the earth/negative wire, so likely the battery's negative output also connects to the chassis, so that's ok. But there should be another positive wire going into the motor somewhere to control it and power it. I'm guessing it's missing, as is the turret.
Unfortunately I don't know much about Taiyo's Tin Toys at all, but that circuit/internals really is fascinating...
Trying to find info is difficult as you say, as Google just seems to return sales / stores these days, and very little information. However the best Tin Toys site I know of is here: TINPLATE TOYS JAPAN: TAIYO TINPLATE TOY MODELS (tinplate-modeltoys-made-in-japan.blogspot.com)
They don't have anything on your M-4 from what I can see, but maybe you can glean something, or contact the maker.
Also another great place to ask would be Reddit's vintage toys board. Taiyo Tin Toys are very popular, so there surely has to be someone there who knows how these are wired. Link: reddit.com/r/VintageToys/
Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with your Taiyo M-4. it's a beauty, and actually in pretty darn good condition I reckon! Very clean, looks like it could be restored to mint condition.
Take care,
-OzzyMuppet / Admin
Quote from egsegs39 on September 17, 2023, 6:04 pmHey, thank you so much for the reply.
I will see what I can do about the electrical side, as long as it works it should be ok. The condition of the toy is as you said, the only problem being some missing parts.
Also thank you for the links, I will totally check them out. You we're a real help and even your insight is important so don't worry about that!
Good luck and take care!
Hey, thank you so much for the reply.
I will see what I can do about the electrical side, as long as it works it should be ok. The condition of the toy is as you said, the only problem being some missing parts.
Also thank you for the links, I will totally check them out. You we're a real help and even your insight is important so don't worry about that!
Good luck and take care!