Overview

In the early 1970's to the mid 1990's a series of 1:87 tanks was produced by Zyll Enterprise Limited of Hong Kong. Zyll marketed these toys under the Zee Toys and Zylmex logos. These tanks feature fair to good detail, and were moderately priced. In addition to tanks, Zylmex produced a series of other military ground vehicles (halftracks, jeeps, etc.) as well as numerous airplanes and jets. Intex Corporation served as the importer of these models to the USA.

Prices for used tanks now range from $3.00-$8.00. Mint boxed tanks range from $15-$20. These tanks are relatively common on eBay, so there are bargains to be found!
 

Gallery

Zylmex T401	Zylmex T401	Zylmex T402	Zylmex T402a
Zylmex T403	Zylmex T404	Zylmex T405	Zylmex T406
Zylmex T407	Zylmex T408	Zylmex T409	Zylmex T409
Zylmex T410	Zylmex T410a	Zylmex T411	Zylmex T412
Zylmex T413	Zylmex T414	Zylmex T415

Base Plate Markings

Zylmex base

Zylmex base

Zlymex base late 1990's

one to one comparison

Zylmex bases are clearly marked with the Zylmex logo and the name "Zylmex". Earlier versions are marked "made in Hong Kong". Late versions have the Hong Kong words blanked out, and have the words "made in China" on the base.

Listing

Roughnecks, odd blends of tank and monster truck (circa 1974, more below)

Zylmex Tanks - a pseudo-chronological history

This chronological summary is the result of 1) researching the web, 2) detective work based upon Zee toys packaging and copyrights, 3) inference and deductive reasoning.

1970's - Dynamights, Landmaster

1973 Trooper, Hunter, and Commander series

	The Hunter series consisted of models T401-T404. The box was orange with a hanging tab. The rear of the box differentiated between the two series (Hunter and Trooper), and listed 8 of the models (T401-T408)
	The Trooper series was models T405-T408 and were featured in a red box with a hanging tab. The rear of the box listed models T401-T408, and did not differentiate between the Trooper and Hunter series.
	The Commander Series consisted of models T409-T412. It sported a yellow box, and the rear of the box featured all 12 models

Catalog from early 70's, introducing the "new" Commander Series

 

1974 Zylmex Roughnecks

Zylmex T502 Zylmex T504

What better way to capitalize on the CB radio and Semi-Truck craze of the early 1970's than to turn a tank into a truck! Zylmex utilized the hull and turret from the existing tanks, reduced the wheels to 3 on each side, and then belted the rear two wheels, creating a truck/tank hybrid (a kind-of half track). Versions included the King Tiger, M60, Chieftain, and JS III. I am speculating that the initial release were in traditional colors (gray, olive green) and later release feature more "mod" metallic colors: Purple, Green, Red, etc.

Base of Roughneck Color variation

		Base of Box, US release	Top of Box, US
Top of Box, UK release	Base of Box, UK release	Note that the US release feature George Barris. Mr Barris is   a famous custom automobile designer. He designed the   Batmobile for the Batman TV series, the Munster Mobile, the   Beverly Hillbillies Jalopy, and others. Interesting, theUK release   does not mention this, indicating how Zylmex focused it's   marketing to fit the "pop culture" of the area.

197? Dynamights "bigbox"

This issue featured a bigger box than the Trooper and Hunter boxes. It had no tag on the back. The back of the box featured only four models: T401-T404

197? Landmaster

The Landmaster release featured 12 models (T401-T412). It also displayed the Zylmex logo, rather then the Zee Toys Logo. The box is the same size as the Trooper and Hunter boxes, and has a hanging tab.

Landmaster, British Version, 197??

The Landmaster version was also released in the United Kingdom. It featured at least two box types. Both boxes are blue, with black lettering and yellow highlighting, and the Zylmex logo. Both boxes also showcased six tanks, T401 through T406. The first style, however, lacked the plastic "hill" inside the box, and the tanks pictured on the back are a brown/sepia tone (as pictured to the left). The other version features the tanks, but they are grayscale, and the tanks are shown at a different angle. This version also featured the green plastic base seen in the US versions. Thanks to Allan for the additional info.

Zwheels, 197??

Zee toys also packaged their tanks in a gray box under the Zwheels Military Collection logo

M*A*S*H Circa 1975?-1979?

Although it did not feature any tanks, it is worth mentioning the Zee toys M*A*S*H collection, featuring vehicles from the TV series.

1978 Dynamights - Card

Dynamights were also released on cards with "bubble" shells. On the back, these cards featured 12 tanks, T401-T412

1979 - Catalog

This catalog page from 1979 shows the original 12 tanks, available boxed or in blisterpacks. For the more from this catalog, click HERE

1980's

1984 Dynamights Giftsets

Zee Toys, now associated Intex Recreation (the US importer) offered eight giftsets. Among these was the Dynamights set, which offered a tank, ambulance/truck, jeep with trailer, and helicopter.

1990's

1991 - Fast Lane

In 1991, Toys-R-Us released the Fast Lane Military Collection Set. Thus toy sets included a tank, airplane, Jeep and truck, all from the Zylmex military lineup.

Early/Mid 1990's - Action Masters

In 1994, Zyll reintroduced the military line as "Action Masters". The tank line up included the first models (T401-T412), and added T413, T414, and T415.

This release featured the tanks on cards. The cards came in at least two types, those with white backgrounds and those with yellow-pebble background. Manufacturing moved from Hong Kong to China (as is marked on the base of the model). Hint: This is a great way to tell which "vintage" your model is!

Late 1990's to Present- The MotorMax years

In 1996 Zyll Enterprises closed up shop. After the dissolution of Zyll Enterprises in 1996, it would appear that some of the molds were acquired by other companies, and continue to be produced today. The molds were purchased by Red Box International.  Red Box models are sold under the MotorMax name.

MotorMax

MotorMax appears to have obtained the models for six of the models (see below) in the "Command Force" series. They appear to be virtually identical to the Zylmex tanks. The early version Patton tank even has the words "Zylmex" cast into the base of the tank! Subsequently, the "Zylmex" logo has been removed. MotorMax also appears market the other old Zylmex military ground vehicles.

Hot Power

Hot Power T10 JSIII	Hot Power T10 JSIII	Hot Power T10 JSIII box
Hot Power T10 JSIII side of box	Hot Power T10 JSIII top of box	Hot Power T10 JSIII side of box
Hot Power King Tiger	Hot Power King Tiger	Hot Power King Tiger box
Hot Power King Tiger side of box	Hot Power King Tiger top of box	Hot Power King Tiger side of box

Zylmex models were also released under the "Hot Power" name in Asia. The tanks bear Zylmex logo and numbering scheme, but are mounted on different bases. The bases feature a tag with the tank name in English. The box is also unique to this release.

Models released:

Model	number
M60A1	T401
Chieftain	T402
King Tiger	T403
T10 Joseph Stalin III	T404
Type 61 (Japan)	T405
AMX 30 Napoleon	T406

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Danish Release

Alan in Denmark sent me this Danish version of the Zylmex Sherman - Thanks Alan!\

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"Motorized" Zylmex

Rear of Card	Front of Card	Rear of card	Zylmex logo
Zylmex Motorized Type 61 T514	Zylmex Motorized Type 61 T514	Zylmex Motorized Centurion Mk III T512	Zylmex Motorized Centurion Mk III T512
Zylmex Motorized M60A1 T511	Zylmex Motorized M60A1 T511	Zylmex Motorized Base
Comparison Motorized in rear	Comparison Motorized to right	Comparison Motorized  bottom of pic	Comparison Motorized to right
Comparison Motorized to right	Comparison Motorized rear	Comparison Motorized to Left

Zylmex also released 4 "motorized" tanks. These were "pull back" tanks which would then move forward under their own power. The tanks are predominantly plastic, they are actually larger than their all metal cousins.

Type	Number
M60A1	511
Centurion MK III	512
King Tiger	513
Type 61	514

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Imex - close but not quite!

Why Imex tanks are often confused with Zylmex tanks

At first, it would appear that Imex picked up nine of the casts, and is marketing them in their "World Armor Series". Upon initial inspection, these nine models appear to be the same as the Zylmex models. Closer inspection reveals, however, each model has changes to either the hull or the turret (see table below and pictures below). Also, at least six of the IMEX models were sold at during the same time period as the Zylmex models (circa 1974). This has led me to conclude that the Imex casts are similar, but not the same as the Zylmex casts.

A Company associated with Imex is Golden Wheel Diecast. Golden Wheel sells the same tanks as Imex, but under the "Metal Beast" Logo. Metal Beast tanks are sold as individuals, and in "four packs". See my Imex and MotorMax pages for more information on these models

Some examples of the difference between Zylmex and Imex tanks

Centurion Zylmex: left, Imex: right Note difference on the detail of the rear of the hull, and the cabling on the Zylmex model.	Centurion Zylmex: left, Imex: right Close up showing detail on antennas machine guns, and rear of turret	Leopard Zylmex: left, Imex: right Note the difference in the rear deck of the hull and the turret
Chieftain Zylmex: left, Imex: right Note the headlights on the Imex version, as well as the indentation in the side of the turret	Chieftain Zylmex: top, Imex: bottom Base of tank Zylmex base is flat, the Imex base is sloped

Summary of Differences

For more information on Zee Toys, go to the Zee Toys tribute page or Zed's Zee Toys collectors page, including his page on military Zee Toys.

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