Ken Wallis 1942 Racing Track

[HomeRacingWorld]

[Czar]

What a hero!!! Taking the weapons of war and turning them into toy cars - brilliant!

[mattb]

I still think this is the first successful slot car system built as we know it today. He doesn't get the credit he should.

[Broman62]

Fantastic tid bit of slotting history!!!

[btaylor]

Just awesome!

Bob

[mattb]

I think that Scalex is typically credited with the first system using a slot, and obviously Commander Wallace was at least 10 years before that.

[HomeRacingWorld]

Well, Lionel is usually thought of as the first or one of them. 1912 I think.



But what this man did is nothing short of incredible. Making his motors? Using bombsight mechanisms? Here is a guy who REALLY wanted some electric cars.

[mattb]

I think Lionel ran on a rail and not a slot, I could be wrong.

[HomeRacingWorld]

[model murdering]

I always enjoy reviewing the tiny bit we have on Ken Wallis. Me Pappy, circa 1913 himself, would have reminded me that in those days, those early Lionel and Marklin sets were rich kids toys. Funny dat, they still kinda are!

What always leaves me absolutely dumbfounded, is the degree of opportunistic miniaturization Ken Wallis accomplished on the little versions. His beautifully matter fact explanation of the moment in time reveals his genius. At a glance 1/43 ! I'd love to get a close up look at his semi independent front suspension WITH steering. Who am I kidding, I want to carefully dissect them and photograph/video them in great detail; then re-assemble them, run them, and pick his brain over a jug.

The ultimate Grand-daddy scratchbuilt slotter.

I'm both agog and inspired per usual.

[dw5555]

On the Lionel set add a couple of track switches in the mix and you have digital...Now you're talkin. :lol:

Dave