Shockingly Good! Multiple Toymakers Mission Apollo with Seismometer

 From my archive, I think I saw this on Worthpoint.

A lovely window boxed Mission Apollo set with red LEM and astronauts.

Not sure what the white contraption is at the back. Probably the Seismometer mentioned on the side.

Anyone got this?

Nuova America!

In the forest of old pencils on offer on Etsy I saw these in their gorgeous old box.

I love the hopeful rocket age imagery of the illustration.

The new America!

Do you like it?

  

Have Toy Will Travel

Hi Woodsy.

Went to the Coventry toy fair on Sunday. Got a few bits. 

An Ideal toys turbo jet car (haven’t seen a blue one before) .

 A Corgi Rockets set. 

A Fireball XL5 film, and Sindy’s little sister Patch, to keep the wife happy. 

Are there any other Mrs Moonbasers who had a Patch? 

Will O

UK

I Left my Heart in a Corgi Rockets Skypark

One of the most important toys I had as a nipper was the Corgi Rockets Skypark, a sort of super cool multi-storey for those ace speedsters.

Here's some fab footage of one in this awesome 1971 TV ad.

Did you or do you have a Skypark?

https://youtu.be/O8uBn9K-zok?si=slLBvMTBwjpFjSmT 

Major Matt Madelman Mars Lander

Popular de Juguetes made a really nice Lanzador Espacial (Space Launcher) for their Madelman in 2004, Woodsy. 

Blurb on the box describes it as a Mars lander. Came with a good astronaut figure but it's also very Major Mattable indeed.

Mine has never been assembled (though a previous owner did apply a few stickers) but this offer on Wallapop has nice pictures:

https://es.wallapop.com/item/lanzadera-espacial-madelman-40cm-1221988992

and there's a simple video clip here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_CQCgE1lE4

(There's also a lengthy exposé by a heavily tattooed gent who apparently has written a book. The clip was initially extremely clumsily translated which I found unbearable, but thankfully I got the original Spanish by clicking on the gearwheel under the clip)

Attached are a few pics, including Major Matt for comparison.

My Madelman Lander is available for sale should anybody be interested.

Best -- Paul V.

Majorly Suitable

Hi Woodsy,

Found this image in a 1963 Meccano magazine. The picture on the left reminds me of the Major Matt Mason moon suit. This one is by the Republic Aviation Corporation.

What do you think?

Will O

Sam Neill RIP

I was saddened to read about Sam's passing this morning when I woke. Just 78.

A New Zealand icon, my favourite film of his was the groundbreaking Jurassic Park in the early 1990's. 

So many scenes have imprinted on my brain but I'll never forget Sam's character Dr. Grant falling to his knees when he first sees a whole community of dinosaurs around a lake on Isla Nublar. A really special moment for him and us all.

Our daughter was ten I think and along with pals she thoroughly enjoyed JP and the merchandising frenzy in Pizza Hut and other kids' places at the time.

She was so excited coming out of the Showcase cinema that she fell down some steps and bust her lip! Poor thing.

Sam Neill graced many other movies I know but for me and my family he will always be the brilliant Dr. Grant.

Godspeed Sam. RIP.

Holy Spokes! Batman Pedal Cars

I just found this You Tube video from a few years ago on Batman pedal cars and ride-on toys (including the Marx version you covered recently), along with fair-ground rides, and Batmobile beds ! There were a lot of these vehicles, both powered and unpowered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4nifz_xvNc

The narrator has a slightly creepy voice, but the Batmobiles are great. I had no idea there were so many different types.

Paul Adams from New Zealand