ROCKET METEOR - MARUSAN - JAPAN

This space toy is certainly a unique piece in many ways and may be the first battery operated rocket.

This is a silver and white patterned tin rocket with a blue nose and red trim. The litho incorporates lots of rivets. It has three red and silver fins that extend well beyond the exhaust. Along the sides are two rows of four red lights or portholes. There may be a light in the nose. At the back is a rod with a propeller at the end. The rocket can be attached to a string and will fly in circles while the lights flash. 1950s styling. Marked SAN

The box art depicts a slightly different style and color of rocket.

This is the same pressing as used on the HIGH SPEED ROCKET THE MOON ZX-8 and UNIVERSAL ROCKET, THE MOON X-1

There is a reference to a "Rocket Meteor" toy for sale in November 1959 (Press and Sun-Bulletin)