Rather hard to find German die casts

[grwebster]

I obtained this series of German Schuco aircraft toys in France at a retail toy store in the early 1980s. I have never seen them much around since.
The first range, 1/200 scale, was called Piccollo and had only 4 aircraft in the range, all used the same box, and I wonder if each one was finished in silver and red?
I was told they were made from 1956- 1966. Rubber tires. Nice, solid, well made toy quality.




In 1966 until 1976 the Microjet range featuring the same aircraft, all using the same box, and in 1/100 scale were made available. These were supplied with a key, often missing, for the wind-up motor, and there was a control wheel to fix the nose wheel steering direction, and a rubber bumper nose. I believe the Microjet series was reproduced after the Schuco bankruptcy without the Schuco name for a while.

[Tone]

I have the little Skyray and the three larger wind-ups "Spiel Nutz" brand, still made in Germany but without the Schuco name. I've also seen photos of Schuco Piccolo autos from this series.