Ertl Company

Template:Realworld

ERTL brand logo
1945-1981, 2004-current

The Ertl Company (or Ertl for short) was a maker of die cast and injection molded plastic models.

History

AMT/Ertl company logos
File:AMTErtlLogo.jpg
'82-'86	'87-'92	'93-'05
2010 (Japan only)

Founded in 1945 by Fred Ertl, Sr., the Iowa-based Ertl Company occupied a niche in the booming post-war die-cast model market by specializing in the production of agricultural farming equipment and vehicle models. These licensed models were initially created for real-world farming equipment companies' marketing departments but Ertl soon began to produce die-cast models for sale to collectors and as toys.

In 1972 the company introduced injection-molded plastic model kits based on their established product lines. Unable to garner sufficient sales, Ertl strategically acquired a number of model kit and die-cast model-making companies.

Over three decades, Ertl acquired Carter Tru-Scale (1971), Structo Stamped Steel (1974), Aluminum Model Toys (1981), MPC Model Kits (1985), ECSI Model Kit Company (1987), and Britains Limited (2000) to become one of the largest US manufacturers of model kits and die-cast models. Ertl's complete acquisition of AMT from the near-bankrupt Lesney Products led to the new name AMT/Ertl which falsely hinted at a merger. Ertl retained the AMT brand name until 2000.

While itself an active acquirer of companies, Ertl was in turn owned by a succession of larger corporations including Victor Comptometer Corporation (1967-1977), Kidde, Inc. (1977-1987), Hanson PLC (1987-1999), RC2 Corporation (1999-2011), and Tomy (2011-present)[1]

RC2 Corporation's ownership proved to have the most far-reaching effects on the company, though the Ertl name was at first incorporated in the new parent company's name as Racing Champions/ERTL. By 2004, Ertl was relegated to a mere subsidiary brand under the RC2 umbrella, though the former renowned brand name AMT/Ertl was still (ab)used as late as 2010 for Platz's limited edition Japanese Star Trek model kit-line. The brand had come full circle and was used to market die-cast models of agricultural equipment and vehicles exclusively, just as it did following the company's inception in 1945.

Star Trek association

Star Trek model kits

For individual Star Trek model kits listing see AMT/Ertl.

With the acquisition of AMT, Ertl gained the license to produce a Star Trek model kit line. Over nearly twenty-five years, the company produced products from two more live action Star Trek series and eight Star Trek films. AMT/Ertl lost out on the license for Star Trek: Voyager which was awarded to Revell-Monogram.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 1984 toy line

Ertl released a small toy line based on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock in 1984 which consisted of four plastic action figures and three die-cast ship models (two of which were re-released in 1989) under the Ertl brand name.

Item	Scale	Release	Item number	Material	Notes	Coverart
Mr. Spock	n/s	1984	331	Plastic	With phaser
Captain Kirk			332		With tricorder
Scotty			333		With phaser
Klingon Leader (Kruge)			334		With Klingon monster dog
USS Enterprise refit	1/2743		1372	Diecast
USS Excelsior	n/s		1373		Labeled as "NCC-1799"
Bird of Prey			1374		Two variants, one light blue and one light green on slightly differing cards
USS Enterprise-A	1/2743	1989	1372		Re-issue for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Outfitted with new decals; On new card
Bird of Prey	n/s		1374		Re-issue for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier; Outfitted with new paint scheme; On new card
USS Enterprise-A	1/2743	1991	n/a		Re-issue for Star Trek Smithsonian Exhibit as merchandise for their gift shop; On new card	File:Ertl 1991 diecast Enterprise Smithonian.jpg
USS Enterprise-A		1994	n/a		Re-issue in Limited Edition gold deco for Spencer Gifts; Individually serialized on new box

See also

• Star Trek starship miniatures
• Star Trek model kits

External links

• Ertl Company at Wikipedia
• ErtlToys.com - official web site