Chi-Chi the Panda

1963 Edwin Hall Catalogue

 

Made by Edwin Hall & Co., this panda was released in 1962.  It is usually referred to simply as "Panda" in advertising material, but I have evidence that at least some of the pandas were originally named "Chi-Chi" as the base of my Hall galloping horse once held a panda under this name.

Beautifully and realistically painted, as Edwin Hall rides usually were, this was a large machine which I can remember being quite uncomfortable to sit on!  How any small child was supposed to be able to reach their feet down to the footplates on either side of the animal is anyone's guess!  The markings of the actual panda varied over the years (as did the handles/grip rails), but it seems it wore a red and gold saddle.

1966 Edwin Hall Catalogue

According to the 1963 Edwin Hall catalogue, the ride weighed 254lbs and measured 58" x 52" x 33".  By 1966, this had changed to 58" x 45" x 36", 290lbs.  I understand that most Edwin Hall bases were downsized in the mid-1960s to a more practical, easier to manouvre, plain red box...however, that still doesn't explain how the panda put on so much weight in the space of three years!

Kiddies' Corner, Bridlington, circa 1966