MOONBASE DREAMSHOP: PROSPECTOR IMPACT PLATE

I've long been fascinated by what is in the literature described as an IMPACT ABSORBER [Godwin. R] shown alongside the MOON PROSPECTOR in early illustrations. Star-shaped, the Impact Absorber was docked to the base of the Prospector or other units in order to create a 'soft landing' on the lunar surface. You can see the absorber behind the vehicle on the 1961 Newsweek cover below [bottom] and even clearer on the black and white illustration from the Swift Space Flight book of the same year [top].

 

The Impact Absorber seems like one of those accessories, which should have simply been available with the toy Moon Prospector. So, not wanting to pass up another opportunity to 'mess around' with Century 21 box art I set about planning a SWORD IMPACT PLATE, which I envisaged being available seperately in it's own box. The basic star-shape reminded me of retro sunburst clocks and I was pleaseantly surprised to find that cheap versions are available online. Rather than spending any money I decided to simply use the image of such a clock at this stage. Creating the box art was harder as I am somewhat unrefined in my methods and hampered by my basic 'paint' programme. Nevertheless, you can see my efforts below. To actually go ahead and make a 'toy' would require said clock and it's box if anyone wants to have a go!

 

As a footnote it's worth bearing in mind just how big the MOON PROSPECTOR and as such the IMPACT PLATE were meant to be. Certainly in SWORD-terms the vehicle was much bigger than a person - even the tyres were! This is best shown illustratively in this fabulous drawing from the SWORD comic strip [GACCH]. It would have made quite an impact on the moon!