5 replies to this topic

[Firefiend]

I thought you might like to see these adverts for some very interesting vintage firework designs which were well ahead of their time.

Astra Black Night Sputnik - 1959
Astra Orbit Lunik Rocket - 1961
Benwell Polaris Missile Space Satellite - 1962

The last one reminds me of the little Brock's (Chinese) Flashing Firework With Voice that did not appear until the late 1970's in their selection boxes.

Edited by Firefiend, 08 October 2009 - 11:03 AM.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Firefiend,

Love the 3 colour art work on 50s stuff! and the idea of putting novelty toys in the rockets (i wonder if they were attached to parachutes?)

Are those actual size adverts? can you tell me what publication they appeared in?

[Firefiend]

Hi. They are slightly reduced to fit on this site - actual size is A5. They came from toy trade publications. Not sure about the parachutes, but possibly like the old parachute floating lights.

[Rip Rap]

Interesting that the "Lunik" rocket was going to be "TV advertised". I cant remember any TV adverts from any of the individual manufacturers!

I can remember the public information firework safety adverts, but no TV adverts from say, Astra or Standard. Does anyone else recall seeing any?

[David]

I'd guess the plastic toys were just novelties, cosmetic headers, rather than part of the firework itself- I doubt they would have been on parachutes. Still a wonderful idea.

Probably couldn't do that now as they might be classed as "being designed to appeal to children" or some such shite.

Edited by David, 09 October 2009 - 06:14 AM.

[Firefiend]

The 'space' compartments on the two Astra rockets were simply plastic tops with the spaceman or dog inside which were ejected similar to the way in which stars are on any normal small rocket (a little puff of gunpowder). I have spoken to a couple of collectors who remember them but I don't know anyone who has an example. I don't know anything about the Benwell rocket but guess it would operate like a bigger version of the little Brock's Chinese rocket shown, which used to work well.

I have scoured the web to find examples of TV advertising as I'm certain it existed - I have numerous trade adverts stating as such (examples below both from 1960). The only one I personally remember was the Standard advertising of the 60's which went something like:

"Please do remember The Fifth of November, Light up the sky with Standard Fireworks"

This was accompanied by a press campaign with similar wording shown below from 1966.

I have also found this: Standard Fireworks Television Advert

Edited by Firefiend, 09 October 2009 - 07:46 AM.