Hamilton's Invaders
The Hamilton's Invaders toy line was conceived and marketed by Remco during the early 1960's, inspired by the giant insect movies that were popular from the 1950's, and were then in reruns on TV. A child could propel the giant insect toys via pull-string motors towards smaller blue soldiers while counter-attacking with heavy motorized artillery and Helicopters. Remco also produced a bug-eyed helmet and Grenade pistol which the child could wear for total immersion in the play-acting scenario. Parts to these playsets are rare, as the line was ended after selling for a single season (the copyright on all found toy packaging is 1964).
Items and Playsets available:- Hamilton Helmet with Non-Shattering Goggles (silver and black variations)
- Chrome Grenade Pistol with yellow grenades - this pistol was also used in a green variation for the Remco Monkey Division and Land of the Giants toy lines
- Pistol - silver and yellow light-projecting pistol, also used in variations for other toylines
- Hornet Helicopter and Blue Defenders
- Mosquito Jeep and Blue Defenders
- Torpedo Tank and Blue Defenders
- Spring Motor Beetle and Blue Defenders
- Horrible Hamilton with Spring Motor
- Horrible Hamilton / Torpedo Tank and Blue Defenders
- The Battle of Horrible Hamilton - Horrible Hamilton, Hornet Helicopter and Blue Defenders
- The Battle of the Spider - Spider, Mosquito Jeep and Blue Defenders
- Battle of the Monsters Sears Exclusive - (includes both playsets above)
The Bugs:
- Horrible Hamilton - large green bug featured leg articulation
- Yellow Spider - black and yellow spider with red spines
- Yellow Beetle - black and yellow with red bumps
Advertised names for the spider and beetle were 'spooky spider' and 'gruesome beetle.' The colors were not consistent; Horrible Hamilton usually was made in green, but some yellow versions were made. Some of the spiders and beetles were issued in a green base color plastic. The spider and beetle were reissued by Remco with the large Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea playsets in the late 1960s.