ERTL Fireman Sam Jupiter
The Jupiter fire engine was based on the original 1974 Bedford TK. There have been several toy versions of the Fireman Sam Jupiter fire engine all released after the first UK-wide series aired on the BBC in 1987. Toy companies ERTL, Born to Play and Character Options have all made versions of Jupiter.
ERTL
From 1988 American toy specialist ERTL produced their die-cast version of Jupiter. This was a carded Jupiter in a blister pack, ‘Jupiter The Pontypandy Fire Engine’.
The ERTL Jupiter, registration Jupiter 999, was all metal with a plastic base, approximately 3″ in length.
ERTL Motorised Jupiter
ERTL also released their ‘Motorised’ Fireman Sam Jupiter Fire Engine. This was a larger scale fire engine with pull back and go action which came boxed.
Born To Play
Born to Play Fireman Sam Friction Action Jupiter
Born to Play released a larger scale friction powered Jupiter as well as a smaller scale Jupiter under the Snap Trax brand.
Snap Trax Fireman Sam Jupiter
The Snap Trax Jupiter came in a playset ‘Fireman Sam Snaptrax Station Play Set’ which also included Venus, Pontypandy Fire Station and a track. The Snap Trax Jupiter has a pull back and go action.
Character Options
Fireman Sam's Jupiter Fire Engine
Character Options have also released a push along Jupiter, much smaller than the Born to Play friction powered Jupiter, though larger than the first ERTL die-cast model. The Character Fireman Sam Jupiter has push button sound effects.
Fireman Sam Jupiter Convertible
Character Options have in addition released the Fireman Sam Jupiter Fire Engine Convertible. This is a Transformers-inspired toy Jupiter that converts into a passable ‘robot’ Fireman Sam figure in under ten moves.
