FROG 322P Westland S.55 Whirlwind

Over The Counter

... at the Triang Trade Fair held last month. Comlpetly new were the atractive 1/72 scale plastic kits, of which the Hunter and Whirlwind are now in the shops. Appearing soon will be the Canberra, Javelin, and F-86E Sabre, in that order. Prieses range from 5s 3d to 8s 6d.

Model Aircraft, April 1956

Over the counter

The model aircraft section at the Tri-ang Trade Fair held in London recently presented the usual galaxy of models and accessories, although the number of new additions to the Frog range was less than in previous years.The aircraft carrier which was a feature of the Tri-ang Toy Fair. The propellers on the helicopter and "Gannet" revolve, but were stopped by our camera.

A novel touch was the presentation of the plastics—a Sikorsky helicopter stood on the deck of a large model aircraft carrier, its rotor arms revolving slowly, while a Gannet's engine revved up—the realistic scene is shown in the accompanying photo. Motive power was provided by 12 volt electric motors of the type used in model locomotives, and operated through an ordinary train controller.

Model aircraft, april 1958

FROG F322 Westland S.55 Whirlwind Helicopter, International Model Aircraft Limited, 1963

Tri-ang/Frog (France)
Lines Freres S.A., Route de Dunkerque, Calais, France (to mid-1964);
Meccano - Tri-ang Lines Freres S.A., 70-88 Avenue Henri Barbusse. 93 Bobigny. France (from mid-1964)
Period: 1962?-1972?

FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom

Tri-ang/Frog (NZ)
Lines Bros. (N.Z.) Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand (to Feb. 1969);
Tri-ang Pedigree (N.Z.) Ltd. PO Box 14-146, Panmure, Auckland 6, New Zealand (from Feb. 1969)
Period; 1967?-1972?

In February 1969 the company name was changed and subsequent new kit releases had a new style of box with new artwork for some kits. Decals were standard Frog.

In 1971 the company was dis-associated with Britain and certain product ranges dropped. This included plastic kits which were soon discontinued.

The ultimate fate of the moulds has not been conclusively established. They are said to have been sold to another NZ toy manufacturer in 1977, but no details are known. Rumour has it that they were bought by Lincoln Industries Ltd. and shipped to Lincoln in Hong Kong, but that they were lost or destroyed while en route. This is unconfirmed, however.

Tri-ang Pedigree did, for all practical purposes, cease to exist in 1978 and all their records have been destroyed.

"Old" Style

FROG model aircraft 1932-1976, R. Lines, L. Hellstrom