Way back in 1956 when I was a young lad of 10 I received "My All Time Favorite Christmas Gift" -a deluxe Radar Set. Remember this was during the "Cold War" with God forbid RUSSIA !! It was every Red Blooded American Boy's duty to be vigilant about a possible Russian attack by air. I loved my Radar Set, but unfortunately it was lost in a flood that ironically took place on March 6, 1962 - 58 years ago.
About 20 years ago I began a quest to find a replacement for my beloved Radar Set. I looked all over the country, but I was not able to find one anywhere. I saw a couple over the years that had been sold on the internet - so I knew there were some out there - I just had to keep looking. About 2 weeks ago I checked on ebay and lo and behold there was not one but five different examples of my prized Radar Set for sale !! The prices of the various toys ranged from a high of $600 down to an auction listing with a starting bid of $29.00. The one in the auction was in great shape and the box was also also in fabulous shape. I bid on this one and got it for around $115.00 including shipping. I anxiously waited every day for my special gift to arrive. Since March is my Birthday month - getting it in March would be very special.
The ebay seller said the box was in good shaped but there was some writing on the top lid. I didn't think the writing was a big deal. However when I got the Toy, written on the box was "RIR Jerry". How crazy it that - someone named "Jerry" had written there name on the box. What are the odds that another person named Jerry had something to do with this toy - unbeliebable !!!
The long awaited Radar Set arrived in the Post Office on Wednesday. Shown below are pictures of the Toy and also pictures of me in 1956 on Christmas Day and earlier today striking a similar pose. I still have the table that was in the background of the picture taken in 1956 (the Birl's keep everything). The picture from today was taken about 50 feet away from where the original 1956 picture was taken, since I live on the same property that I did in 1956. Although the original house is long gone.
I hope you enjoy the pictures and LMK what was your "Favorite All Time Toy".
Take care,
Jerry " Just a Kid with His Toy" Birl