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1971 Tonka Gas Turbine Trucks

1971 Tonka Gas Turbine models were the #2465 Dump, #2585 Hydraulic Dump, #2620 Cement Mixer, #2690 Sanitary Service, #2820 Pumper, #2850 Car Carrier, #2950 Snorkel Pumper, #2998 Aerial Ladder and the #3109 Construction Set. No new models were added however, model #2910 Bottom Dump was deleted.

And while the flotation tire was the primary tire being used on Gas Turbines in 1971, the TX-500 was still being used on Model #2998 Aerial Ladder trailer only.

In the book Tonka co-authored by Dennis David and Lloyd Laumann, reference is made to the Federal Child Protection and Toy Safety Act of 1969. The act was signed into law in late 1969 by President Nixon. The act was developed to enhance the safety of toys manufactured in the U.S.A. and compliance was mandatory. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare was charged with enforcing compliance and testing. And they pulled their first samples for testing in December of 1970. 39 toys were immediately banned. Tonka trucks were not among them. To comply with the act however, Tonka trucks manufactured in 1971 had to be deburred, hemmed edges appeared on many models, finger entrapment or pinch points were eliminated, non shatter materials were used on windshields and non toxic paint, that Tonka was already using, was now mandated. Many of the safety changes altered the look of many toys but did not diminish the quality.

CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The load on the #2850 Car Carrier changed from one red Mustang and one light green Ranchero in 1970 to one red Mustang and one blue Ranchero in 1971.

CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: Model #2620 Mixer, long a favorite in red, went through a color change in 1971. Ocher (orange) was selected as the new color.