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NAVIGATION
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Scorpion : Model Engineering
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Due to war time conditions the supply of toys to Australia ceased towards the end of 1944.
Walther and Stevenson, the largest toy shop in Sydney started to look for local supplies of toys to fill the gap.
Ted Wallis and Ted Peell saw a chance and offered to supply a simple oscillating marine engine.
They soon followed with a boiler for the engine.
At this point the operation was very small and all work was carried out in their spare time in a shed at Ted Peell's house.
The next engine they produced was a Horizontal boiler model.
Some time around the introduction of the horizontal model they decided on the name 'Scorpion' as both their star signs was Scorpio but the business name was 'Model Engineering Products'
Next the produced a vertical donkey engine which was by far the most popular model as these may still be found with relative ease.
During 1946 their 'spare time' venture was doing so well they left their regular employment and took on making toy steam engines on a full time basis.They moved to a large shed at 23 Grove St, Lilyfield only to move onto larger premises at 96 Nelson Lane, Annandale and finally in 1950 to Taylor St.They average 8 people employed but peaked at 30.
In 1948/9 they started to manufacture an 0-4-0 'O' gauge steam loco followed by three four wheel goods wagons.
In 1952 they made a 4-4-0 loco with 6 wheel tender.
In 1954 they produced their last model, a steam driven road wagon which was made to look like a Sentinel,
Scorpion products were sold at Walther and Stevenson and Hobbyco in Sydney, The model Dockyard in Melboure, Bridglands in Adelaide and Stanbridges in Perth.
Around 1956 with the influx of overseas toys Model Engineering discontinued making steam toys.
So the list of products produced was.
An oscillating marine engine with separate boiler
A Horizontal Engine
A Vertical Engine
0-4-0 'O' gauge loco
4 goods wagons
4-4-0 loco
'Sentinel' steam Wagon.
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©2007 Tony Muir unless stated otherwise. Should you wish to use any photos though just ask and permission will most likely be given
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