This time of year, with Xmas fast approaching, nights getting darker and a chill on the wind, it's easy to let my mind drift back to the heady days of childhood. Even now, as I dress the tree in anticipation of another modern xmas, I still wish that one of my carefully wrapped gifts might contain a space toy from 1969 again. Aftershave, socks and novelty undies really don't have the same thrill as those early morning forays into the pile of presents to find Dinky toys, Spacex, board games and kits waiting for me.
One classic toy that I always put on my xmas list back in the day along with the Johnny Seven, Zero-X and large Rosenthal SPV was Spacenik. Oddly enough Santa always seemed to forget this and I used to drool over pics of it in catalogues instead. The 1969 Tri-ang catalogue had it sat alongside the Moonmobile and Jump Jockey, but despite it riding high on my notes, I never managed to get it until many years later when I found an old newsagent had dusted off a load of old stock from an attic storeroom and along with a Marx Dalek, some old Aurora Dinosaur kits and what seemed to be the whole first run of Major Matt Mason cards, I found a boxed version.
I had the moonmobile. The one thing I disliked about it (as a youngster) was that it didn't have a crewman, and it was just too small a scale to fit Matt Mason figures. I recall it had a launcher with two missiles on top, and some useful spares stowed in the cockpit. I had no idea it was by Tri-ang.
ReplyDeleteandy - Moonmobile should have had a crewman: http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2009/08/tri-ang-moonmobile-redux.html
ReplyDeletefirst thing i ever bought on ebay!
Mine didn't- what a swiz!
ReplyDeleteWonder how that happened? :(
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ReplyDeleteI am a lifelong fan of Grippidee Gravidee related toys. The Spacenik 2 set is clearly one of the most rare sets one could hope to find on the open market or on places like Ebay.uk. This set is blessed by the inclusion of the rare Space Freighter vehicle, a vehicle that cannot be obtained through any other set that I know of aside from the Spacenik 2 set. Although both Spacenik sets are devoid of Grippidee Gravidee advances such as the 180 degree right-side up to upside down horizontal rotation track piece, as well as the flat 90 degree turn track pieces, it is unique in having solid track pieces with no "port holes" drilled out, and having the unique and original name, packaging, artwork and text. Along with its rarity, the further challenge of replacing split plastic gears in the gear box in order to have it climb and descend vertical layouts remains - you can thank time and previous use as the culprits to split gears. But should you be lucky enough to own a working Grippidee Gravidee set of any sort, you indeed shall also know true joy and satisfaction. What a delightful, inventive, stylish and ultimately unique toy!
ReplyDeleteHi Joseph. Do you happen to know how much a spacenik 2 is ?
DeleteHi Sue, a fully working Spacenik 2 set goes for $200 on up depending on its condition. That's if you can find one. However almost every GG related set being sold is non working. Cheers!
DeleteHi Sue, a fully working Spacenik 2 set goes for $200 on up depending on its condition. That's if you can find one. However almost every GG related set being sold is non working. Cheers!
DeleteHi Sue, a fully working Spacenik 2 set goes for $200 on up depending on its condition. That's if you can find one. However almost every GG related set being sold is non working. Cheers!
Deleteit took a long time to find the Spacenik 2 set, but well worth it. I’ve got two S1 series and one 2. Just need enough space to set up!
ReplyDeleteA dining room table top is a good spot for setting up GG/Spacenik sets. I would also recommend using AA batteries instead of C to create less stress on the gears during the vertical climbing and descending. I use soft foam peanuts to fill in the empty battery compartment space and secure the smaller batteries. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteCan i buy this item
ReplyDelete