Since 1964, the Hess Corporation has released a unique toy for the holiday season. From tanker trucks to airplanes, these limited-release collectibles have become beloved icons. While supply often runs out by the new year, you can still get your hands on a Hess truck if you look hard enough.
Whether you’re looking to round out your collection or getting a gift for your favorite Hess fan, the Hess Toy Truck Cargo Plane and Jet Holiday 2021 is a latest-and-greatest hit in the franchise.
Hess has a few different collectibles across their product lineup that they release each year.
Hess trucks and other vehicles often include small parts. For this reason, Hess only recommends their products for ages 3-years-old and up. Each toy is tested to meet children’s safety standards, and the paint is tested each year to make sure it is lead-free. If you’re looking for a Hess gift for a child younger than 3, the plushies are safe for all ages.
Each Hess product is released during the holiday season at a pre-set production run. This means that supplies are limited. Hess closely guards its quantities, so there’s no telling how many will be released any given year. Hess notes, however, that they set each production run to anticipated consumer demand. So, if you’re quick enough, you should have no problem grabbing one. Worry not, as there are often leftovers available online if you do miss out.
Since the very first truck, Hess has made interactivity a central feature of its yearly releases. Each truck, boat, race car and plane includes battery-powered lights. Many also come with realistic sound effects.
As the years went on, Hess vehicles became more elaborate. In addition to rolling wheels, these highly detailed toys have many moving parts. Fire trucks with rotating and telescoping ladders, dump trucks with hinged beds and helicopters with rotating turbines make up just a few of their creatively designed machines. Some of the most popular Hess toys have been the two-in-one Hess vehicles, such as the 2011 Hess toy truck and race car or the 1998 Hess recreation van with a dune buggy and motorcycle.
Hess toys and vehicles come with Energizer batteries. However, they recommend that you remove these if you plan to display your toy long-term as a collectible as the batteries can corrode and leak, damaging the product. Be sure to turn your toy off outside of playtime to preserve battery life to get regular use. Rechargeable batteries can help cut down on toy consumables in an age when most entertainment devices use chargers.
The cost of each vehicle depends on the product being released each year. Sets that include multiple units or particularly complex designs retail for more year to year. Expect to pay up to $100 for these, with smaller sets ranging between $50–$80.
These numbers are further complicated by the fact that if you’re buying any Hess truck out of season, whether it's a previous-year model or this year’s outside of the holiday seasons, you’ll be paying a hefty markup.
A. There’s no telling how the market will value Hess products in the years to come, but referencing current online auction sites shows that Hess trucks don’t necessarily retain much of their value. Older models might fetch as much as $400, such as the 1970 Hess fire truck. But enthusiasts are often collecting these for the love of the product, or they’re holding out in the hope that the toys will appreciate in value in a few decades.
A. Online stock is mostly limited to Hess toys from the last decade. These can be purchased directly from Hess during the holiday season or as residual stock. But if you’re looking for a model from a decade before the millennium, you’ll have to turn to online auction sites.
Hess Toy Truck Cargo Plane and Jet Holiday 2021
What you need to know: Light up the night sky with these two big planes released in 2021.
What you’ll love: These are the largest Hess toys released yet, with the cargo plane’s wingspan measuring in at 15 inches. Each plane comes with light-up LED bulbs and motion-activated sound effects. The cargo plane has a drop-down bay door for the jet, and the jet has free-rolling landing gear as well.
What you should consider: These are a bit cartoonish in their design and don’t necessarily resemble the real thing, so diehard collectors might be less enthusiastic about 2021’s release.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
2017 Hess Dump Truck and Loader
What you need to know: The 2017 Hess toy set is great for outdoor and pretend play.
What you’ll love: This set provides loads of interactive fun with a working dump truck and a modern loader. The dump truck has button-activated hydraulics, and both vehicles have LED lights and accompanying sound effects. The loader also has motorized tracks and a jointed excavator arm.
What you should consider: As this is an older model year, it is significantly marked up.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
2021 Hess Toy Truck Cement Mixer My Plush
What you need to know: This cute plush from 2021 makes a great Hess gift for children under 3.
What you’ll love: This is no simple plush. The 2021 release comes with many fun features to delight young ones. There are LED lights for playtime and a nightlight on a timer for bedtime. Parents can quiet the toy with a mute switch and can also play one of two songs, “The Alphabet Song” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”
What you should consider: The price is a bit steep for a stuffed toy that will see heavy wear.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Karl Daum writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
