Maker record
Ites
Ites was a Czechoslovak toy maker based in Trhové Sviny. Its products included tin and plastic vehicles, among them a wind-up Willys Jeep and battery-powered tanks. The T-54 tank, introduced in 1967, could move forwards and backwards and turn; later versions included a bridge-laying variant and a rocket launcher. In the mid-1980s, plastic replaced tin in the tank range. Ites toys formed part of Czechoslovak post-war toy production.
- Founded
- 1991
- Countries
- Poland
- Locations
- Poland
- Founders
- Unknown
The story of Ites
In 1938, Ladislav Stránský began making toys in Trhové Sviny under the Lastra name, including electric trains. After nationalisation in 1949, the enterprise changed its name and production programme several times before returning to toys. Ites became known for vehicle toys, including a wind-up Willys Jeep that was later made with a flywheel drive, and battery-powered tanks. The T-54 tank appeared in 1967 and had forward and reverse movement and steering. Variants included a bridge-layer and a rocket carrier. In the mid-1980s, the tank's tin body gave way to plastic, with a tank crew figure added. The range was later updated with an engineering version fitted with a blade and a white version associated with UNPROFOR.
