Jet Threat Pantograph Pattern


The Jet Threat was designed by Larry Wood and was first issued in the 1971 product line.
The casting is characterized by the sweeping body lines and the large combustion turbine.


The original "4 Up" pantograph pattern for the Jet Threat has survived as well as some of the original plans.



This pattern piece is especially interesting as the historical documentation which has
also survived show that these were active working components of the manufacturing process.




As seen in these historical photos, the first release, from 1971 the Spectraflame era, has a
hinged cover on the top of the engine which opens to reveal the turbine blading.




This design required five separate parts.



In 1972, the Jet Threat was selected as one of nine castings to be re-issued in the Shell Oil Company promotion.
Several of the selected castings had moving parts or details which contributed to the cost of production.
Three of the castings, the Jet Threat, Rocket Bye Baby and Swingin' Wing were re-tooled to reduce the number of parts,
thereby reducing the cost.



For the Jet Threat, the moving hatch was integrated into engine piece and
the blade part omitted entirely, reducing the parts count from five down to four.




This is the pattern as it is today. As with other patterns, some of the details are broken off and lost
to history. The turbine blading piece did not survive.


Photo & info credits: Ted Gray

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