Tin Can Alley

[remember]

Quintessentially American in every way, Tin Can Alley (named after Tin Pan Alley, a district of New York) brought a touch of the exotica to any British housing estate in the late-70s. Not only did it mean that we got to manhandle your very own rifle - albeit a plastic one at that - but we also had our first introduction to Dr Pepper, which were the tin can targets. Tin Can Alley looked like a real-life replica of a rickety fence with some tins of drink perched precariously on top. The aim was to use the battery-heavy supplied rifle to fire off red beams at the sensor pads beneath each of the tins. Every time you managed to hit on target, the tin above would shoot off the fence, making you feel instantly like a real cowboy. You may have even celebrated with a diginified "Yee-haa!". Because of the toy's appeal among young boys, Tin Can Alley was superseded by numerous copy-cat games, such as Marksmen, Magic Shot Shooting Gallery, Electro Shooting Gallery and Shoot Out In Space. Later, a hand pistol version of Tin Can Alley was also produced, but true fans of the game mainly prefer the shotgun for its ability to '**** and shoot'. The advert for Dr Pepper these days asks the question: "Dr Pepper... What's the worst that could happen?" Thankfully, compared to some other toys around at the time, the worst was probably just a screaming hissy fit after hours of realising it wasn't the can but rather the sensor three inches below that you had to hit. At least you knew where you stood with pellets - even if it was a dent in mum's dado rail!

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[Derekflint]

Re: Tin Can Alley

I had one, but seldom used the fence. Tended to just use the beam to 'shoot' any target that took my fancy. After seeing Fistful of Dollars, I took to cocking it by swinging it down by my side, Ramon Rojas style.
Mine was just a normal beam of light (if I recall correctly, the cans started flying off one time because it wasn't angled away from the window enough). Can still remember my Dad sticking the little crosshair labels on the cans.
Apparently, it's still around somewhere. Last I saw of it was '91/'92 when I took the stock off to twirl it like Arnie! Nearly took my chin off.

[Richard1978]

Re: Tin Can Alley

This is one toy I can remember being advertised in a long TV ad for a few Ideal toys, but never remember seeing in the shops or any friends having it.

[Terrier]

Re: Tin Can Alley

Wanted it....but never got .....but made up with it in later life with shot gun

[zabadak]

Re: Tin Can Alley

Quintessentially American in every way, Tin Can Alley (named after Tin Pan Alley, a district of New York) brought a touch of the exotica to any British housing estate in the late-70s. Not only did it mean that we got to manhandle your very own rifle - albeit a plastic one at that - but we also had our first introduction to Dr Pepper, which were the tin can targets. Tin Can Alley looked like a real-life replica of a rickety fence with some tins of drink perched precariously on top. The aim was to use the battery-heavy supplied rifle to fire off red beams at the sensor pads beneath each of the tins. Every time you managed to hit on target, the tin above would shoot off the fence, making you feel instantly like a real cowboy. You may have even celebrated with a diginified "Yee-haa!". Because of the toy's appeal among young boys, Tin Can Alley was superseded by numerous copy-cat games, such as Marksmen, Magic Shot Shooting Gallery, Electro Shooting Gallery and Shoot Out In Space. Later, a hand pistol version of Tin Can Alley was also produced, but true fans of the game mainly prefer the shotgun for its ability to '**** and shoot'. The advert for Dr Pepper these days asks the question: "Dr Pepper... What's the worst that could happen?" Thankfully, compared to some other toys around at the time, the worst was probably just a screaming hissy fit after hours of realising it wasn't the can but rather the sensor three inches below that you had to hit. At least you knew where you stood with pellets - even if it was a dent in mum's dado rail!

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Tomy's Shoot Out In Space

[victorbrunswick]

Re: Tin Can Alley

[victorbrunswick]

Re: Tin Can Alley