Danny Deer

 Danny Deer was part of RG Mitchell's original wooden animal range, released at the Amusement Trades Exhibition in January 1963.

He was recreated in fibreglass in the mid-1960s. The fibreglass Danny was much larger than his wooden predecessor. Two versions of fibreglass Danny were made.  One is much rarer than the other and I believe to be the original, the second was in production well into the 1990s.  Although Danny was never as popular as some of Mitchells' other animal rides, I can remember riding several of them as a child, both at amusement arcades and shops.


Fibreglass Danny I.  This particular unit clearly dates from the 1960s with metal star decorations on the base and no speaker. 

The first version of fibreglass Danny has smaller ears and tail, antler nubs and an arguably "cuter" Disneyesque type face with a turned up nose and puffy cheeks.  I have only ever seen two of these.


RG Mitchell Advert - The Coin Slot, November 1968

The second version of fibreglass Danny has large pointed ears, a bigger tail and long back legs.  His face is large and rounded with a small snout.


Fibreglass Danny II - Dr Ying Chinese Medical Centre, Lowestoft, May 2019.  This unit probably dates from the 1970s.  While the deer himself appears to have been repainted, the "Danny Deer" name on the base is original and was used on all Danny Deer rides manufactured in the '60s and '70s.

Interestingly, most if not all early Danny Deers appear to have been sold on pale green bases, an unusual colour for RG Mitchell.