Entertech
Entertech was a brand of battery-powered motorized water guns sold in the United States from 1986 to 1990 by the now-defunct LJN Toys.[1][2] Unlike the colorful designs of many of the simple hand powered pump water guns of that time, most of the Entertech water guns were manufactured from black plastics with a matte finish to resemble actual firearms. Marketing materials and television spots would tout, "The look! The feel! The sound! So real! Entertech!" These water guns were revolutionary at a time when most children were purchasing inexpensive clear colored plastic squirt guns that were hand powered, had poor effective range and looked like toys.[3] The Entertech line boasted realistic looks and water storage in the form of detachable magazines (in most models) like their real firearm counterparts. In addition, the motorized water pumps made noises that, while not realistic, added an extra level of sensation. Finally, the guns all boasted full automatic rate of fire (approx. 60 rpm) and a 30-foot effective range.[4]
Models
First generation
- Side Kick Pistol (Product design based on the Colt M1911 pistol, it was connected via a vinyl tube enclosing a water feed tube and trigger actuation wires to a separate pack fashioned to look like an ammo box that was slung over the user's shoulder which also held a 1 quart water supply )[4]
- M-16 (Product design based on the Colt M16A2.)[4]
- R.P.G. Water Rocket Launcher (Product design loosely based on the rocket propelled grenade launcher RPG-7.)[4]
- AK Centerfire (A submachine gun with a number of design features from the Intratec TEC-22)
- Double Clip Baretta (A submachine gun design loosely based on the Beretta M12 also supplied with two magazines.)
- Water Laser (A futuristic looking laser gun with the same power and water delivery mechanism as the Side Kick Pistol, except with a 2 quart capacity and designed to be worn as a backpack.)
- Water Hawk (A large machine pistol based on the Interdynamic AB KG-9.)
- Uzi Cap Repeater (This was the only item that was not a water gun. It was simply a cap gun designed to look like a Micro Uzi.)
Second generation
- Water Grenade Set (A portable water balloon filling device. The unit was designed to resemble a detonator device. It includes a plastic storage unit for unfilled balloons, and was shaped like an actual hand grenade.)[5]
- Defender Shotgun (A pump action shotgun with a detachable magazine for the water supply and powered by an air pressure discharge system similar to Larami Corporation's Super Soaker guns.)[5]
- M-60 Rambo Edition (A re-branded M-16 with a Rambo logo sticker on the gun and a red Rambo headband. This product was released as licensed merchandise after the release of Rambo: First Blood Part II.)
- R.P.G. Water Rocket Launcher Rambo Edition (Same as above.)
- Baretta (A copy of the Beretta 92 pistol, released in stainless steel or all black versions.)
Other products
- Photon: The Ultimate Game on Planet Earth: A laser tag system.
- Gotcha! The Sport!: Non-motorized guns which fired ink-covered soft plastic pellets, a combination of paintball and airsoft. The toys were released in conjunction with the video game Gotcha! The Sport!, also by LJN.
Company closure
The short-lived success of Entertech was due to law enforcement officers who claimed to have mistaken toy guns to be actual firearms, killing children toting toy guns.[6] In addition, there were report incidents of criminals utilizing toy guns in robberies of retail establishments and even banks.[7][8] In the midst of these highly-publicized incidents, Entertech voluntarily began manufacturing their guns with blaze orange-colored caps in 1987, and began a line of less-realistic neon-colored guns later that year.[9][6]
After Acclaim Entertainment purchased LJN in April 1990, they began phasing out toy manufacturing. Using LJN to make video games instead of toys increased the limit of titles Acclaim could produce for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In September 1990, Acclaim sold the Entertech brand for $1.7 million.[2]
References
See also