346 Jumbo Jet
General Information
The following information has been collected from original newspapers, catalogs, and magazines, some of which are freely available for reference below. The rest can be found in the site’s gallery. No aggregate catalogs (BrickLink, Brickset, etc.) were used.
Instructions: H-5111
Advertised Part Count(s): 121 pieces
First Year Confirmed Available: 1970(USA)
Likely USA Only.
Most Likely Retirement Date: 1971(USA)
The 346, as with the rest of Samsonite's line, would not have continued production after the loss of the LEGO license.
Last Year Seen Available: 1973
The Boston Globe, December 2nd, 1973
Aliases: Jumbo Jet Model Maker, Jumbo Toy
Retail Price(s): $1.99(USA)
Discounted Example(s): 99c(1971), 99c(1973)
Rarity Score(Index): 5/7
Box/Overview
The 346 Jumbo Jet released in 1970 at the beginning of the mini-wheel line. It was a North American exclusive set(probably exclusive to the USA, but I have nothing to prove that absolutely) designed by Samsonite, one of two examples(the other being the 157 Auto Transport).
Both the 157 and the 346 completely omit the alternative number featured on Model Maker sets from 1967-69. Why? I have no idea.
Intended Model
The constructed model is exactly as you'd expect it, very difficult to build and very fragile given changes in parts overtime:
