Space Models of Feltham, Master Models of Hounslow and AGM

Master Models and Space Models are often mentioned synonymously when discussing outsourced modelmaking for Derek Meddings. My previous post on Master Models jogged my memory and I recalled looking into them to see if they were one or indeed two different companies. There is certainly mention  of them both on many of the long-established Anderson sites like Fanderson [re. Doppelganger Mini Mokes], Blakes 7 site [Eagle] and in various books etc. Space Models are often cited as Space Models of Feltham and Feltham [erstwhile home of the Concorde] is but 3.5 miles from Master Models in Hounslow, both around the half hour mark away from Century 21 as was when based in Slough.

 

 

 

I wrote to what I thought a likely candidate for Space Models of Feltham exactly 3 years ago and asked Nick Phelps, Managaing Director "I am assuming that your campany is the same Space Models of Feltham, who worked on many of Gerry Anderson's fabulous shows" to which Nick confirmed that yes, they were indeed the same. Nick suggested that I contact him again regarding a member of staff on annual leave, who might be able to expand on the Anderson link but despite my further email, I heard nothing further. Space Models is now part of a lager group called Curvature.

 

 

 

There is also mention of another model making company called A&G, AGM or Aeronautical and General on various Fora like Fanderson and Space 1999 Eagle Transporter. Listening to the British Pathe clip audio again, they do indeed refer to the company as AGM and NOT Master Models. But the same people appear on Master Models own archive photographs. Were AGM forerunners of Master Models?

 

 

Anyone know any more?

Master Models On Film!

A couple of years ago I found some footage of a model making firm on British Pathe's online archive. Could it be Master Models, who made the Zero-X for Derek Meddings? Certainly they can be seen working on Mac's Car at the end of the clip!

The Pathe notes describes the firm being located in Hounslow, which I can see on Google Maps is just 13 miles from Slough Trading Estate, home of Century 21. But the final proof comes when you compare stills of the chap working on Mac's Car from Master Model's own online archive with those of British Pathe. Despite one being colour and the other monochrome, they are quite clearly the same chap!

Compare them for yourselves [can't show copyrighted material here but you can split your screen to compare the two stills]:

1. Master Models still

2. British Pathe still
[be patient, wait for clip 2.03 - 2 minutes 3 seconds - to appear at the bottom]

 

 

 

So, without further ado, watch original footage of Master Models in 1968, makers of Joe's 90's Car, various Thunderbirds craft and Zero-X for one Derek Meddings!


http://www.britishpathe.com/video/model-makers

 

And the icing on the cake, you can see all the famous model vehicles in one shot on Master Models site, including Zero-X, here! http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Television.html#10


Wonder who the modellers are? Did they go on to even greater things?



THE MYSTERY OF ZERO-X "ZX 26"

Recently Shaqui posed a question in the comments section regarding a mystery Zero-X photograph, where the tail fin of the plane is marked ZX26. Shaqui explained:


 "Does anyone know the origin of this photo and the unusual decals of 'ZX26'? (click on my name to see photo). It has been suggested these were the original markings put on by Space Models before it when to Century 21 Productions for modification before filming but no-one seems 100% sure... "

Looking at the Master Models [Space Models] website I found vintage photographs of a model Zero-X made by them for Century 21 Ltd for the 1966 movie Thunderbirds Are Go. The model is marked ZX26, which suggests it is the same one as in Shaqui's mystery photograph.

 

The links to Master Models pictures are as follows [check out ALL their pictures - well worth it!]:

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Television.html#10 Zero-X tail fin, no markings visible, B/W

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Film.html#5 Zero-X full view, no markings visible, colour

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Film.html#26 Zero-X rear view, "26" visible on tail fin, B/W

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Film.html#27 Zero-X side view, "ZX26" and "26" visible on three wing fins, colour

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/Gallery_One/Pages/Film.html#28 Zero-X rear view, "ZX26" and "26" visible, B/W

 

"ZX" is obviously Zero-X but I have no idea what "26" refers to. Anyone know?

Imai's Little Red Booster

Earlier this year I acquired a second Imai Thunderbird 7 kit, aka SWORD Beetle, from 1972 for building up. The cool box with fab Shigeru Komatsuzaki art is shown below. Having no modelling skills whatsoever I predictably made a complete hash of the main vehicle, which now lies sad and discarded in its box for a rainy day when I will have miraculously gained Martin Bower-level skills Matrix-style!

I did manage, however, to glue the little red booster rocket together, which came with the kit, pictured below. I was thrilled with its simplicity and will refrain from painting it, prefering to leave it as it is.

I was double chuffed as the little Booster fits perfectly with my other hard plastic SWORD miniatures from Japan. Adding my new Morinaga Zero-X was the icing on the cake! What do you think?

Ferryman's Fantastic SWORD Fleet: Re-Entry Task Force 1, 2 and 3

 

Top Five Photos: Century 21 Task Force 1,2,3

Photo Six: Yellow US Tarheel Task Force 2 and red C21 original

Photo Seven: US Tarheel Task Force 2

Bottom Photo: LtoR: Orange US Tarheel Nova III, green US Tarheel Nova II, yellow US Tarheel TF2

SOUTHPORT AIR SHOW: Report from our Glenn Field Correspondent Scoop B

Hi Woodsy, I attended the Southport Air show, northern England, last weekend and as usual took a few snaps. Thought maybe you and the blog readers might like to see one or two.

 

There was plenty to see, wing walkers, helicopters, aerial display flying, parachutists and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

 

But, like most overgrown schoolboys with Thunderbirds in the blood the Jet displays are what I look forward to.

 

The show opened with the fabulous Red Arrow display team, always a crowd pleaser. Seen them dozens of times but their precision flying never fails to impress me.

 

As with last year the mighty Vulcan XH558 once again flew majestically over Southport beach. I’m told that next year might be its last outing as it’s Olympus engines would by then have reached the end of their operational life.

 

Another restored vintage aircraft also made an appearance. The Gloster Meteor, the first operational British jet fighter. Looking like a design straight out of a Dan Dare comic strip, these jets first saw service towards the end of the Second World War, shooting down V-1 flying bombs. Unfortunately, these planes were involved in quite a few crash landings, as they proved a bit too fast for pilots at the time who were used to flying Hurricanes and Spitfires.

Coming right up to the present day, the Typhoon Eurofighter multi-role combat aircraft flew past the crowds at a fantastic pace. This futuristic plane is capable of Mach 2, around 1,400 mph.

Finally, two Tornado GR4 swing-wing aircraft treated the crowd to a simulated bombing run, complete with a pyrotechnic display. Both Tornado’s sped above the onlookers from either direction accompanied by loud explosion's and clouds of smoke coming from the beach.

Great stuff.

Watch The Skies

Mike Scoop B

Glenn Field

 

Capsulissima

This simple post has been a while in the preparation,mainly because I had to wait till all the Moonbase Supply bags had landed. Now the cats out of the bag, I can proceed with the post! It all began a few weeks back when I received a Saturn capsule with chute, generously supplied by Kevin D. This is as close as I have got so far to the Project SWORD Saturn and is one of the toys which fascinated me as a kid.

Sunny days on the beach or in the garden almost always involved some kind of flying toy and often it involved a parachute. Countless cheap plastic soldiers and astronauts got tossed into the air and stranded in trees or inaccessible roofs but they were always disposable and easily replaced items, bought for a few pence from the corner shop. Since then, such toys have become rarer due to their limited lifespan and now I find if I come across such a toy, it never leaves the house.

Besides the wonderfully simple and fragile SWORD capsule, here are a few of my other favourites.

The Saturn Sword capsule is a simple clear plastic and 'lance' shaped affair, with a printed card insert showing the astronaut. A  similar shaped capsule came on top of the large Quercetti MACH X catapult rocket, which returned to Earth with its own chute. This three piece capsule has the astronauts moulded into the lower half and a transparent cockpit.

Not designed as a throwable toy, the Dinky Seaking Apollo Capsule is a neat little accessory which had a small ring at the apex where the copters winch could lift it. Simple, but detailed construction with an opening hatch to show the three astronauts.

A recent trip to Cornwall and the rather excellent museum in Truro revealed a neat toy in the gift shop. A basic plastic capsule and parachute. Cast in garish purple plastic, a swift wash of white enamel calmed things down. Lacking the style and aerodynamic properties of its fellows, it was a pleasant reminder of times past.

Finally, a toy which managed to slip under my radar as a kid, but which I found on ebay some years later. The Lone Star mercury capsule was also offered as a mail away with Askeys Ice Cream. A much more complex and delicate toy, the capsule is fitted with a mechanism, which when the capsule touches down, ejects the hapless astronaut out the capsule window. Consequently, it was amazing to find it intact!

So coming back to the Moonbase Supply Bags for the blog birthday - in the spirit of nostalgia, i'd urge everyone to open the bag, hitch the astronaut to the working parachute and let fly! Photos welcome!

Is Dr. Pulaski Batman?

Watching TV today I couldn't help noticing how Adam West [the original Batman] and Diana Muldaur [Dr. Pulaski in Star Trek The Next Generation] have the same breathless stoccato way of talking! Ha ha! Maybe they are the same person! Pulaski looks a bit like the Joker too! Ha ha!

 

Readers' Collections: Randall, USA

Reader and artist Randall Ensley of Minneapolis USA recently recieved a blog lucky baggy and his LP astronaut is in good company as Randall's recent snaps show.

ZERO-X: THE BIG LIST

Our favourite Mars Craft, the Zero-X, has featured in many forms regularly on the blog since 2008 and none moreso than Japanese toys. To celebrate our Zero-X day I've collated several of our older posts by both Wotan amd me into one big one.

 

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Aw, it would have been just cool if Century 21 had put out a SWORD plasticene set. Still, at least there's ZERO X in this rare Japanese one. There's loads more amazing toys like this at the Thunderbirds Museum. Was there a Western version of this set by any chance?

 

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In celebration of the fantastic design of one of the most memorable designs on any Gerry Anderson production, here is a quick rundown of some of the incarnations of the OX in toy and model form, compiled by our far eastern correspondant Terry.

Some of the following items are from his personal collection, others have flown past at auction and one or two are taken from publications. But enough talk - read them and weep!

1. Large Imai motorised model kit. Original 1968 release showing period poster. The later re-release is identical in every aspect except the poster and it has a secondary outer box. The main body is battery operated with the detachable MEV being clockwork driven. Many of the pieces are chrome plated and the overall length on the re-issue is stated as 430mm which must come close to the C21 version.

2. This is the smaller version of Zero - X produced possibly from 1980 to 1988 and it was initially clockwork powered but later kits may have had the motor deleted. The nose cone heat shield is spring loaded and can be launched. This version was moulded all in a medium to dark blue plastic. There was a much earlier version that came with chrome parts having different box artwork and possibly specified as a deluxe version. This picture shows the model built and having silver and red details painted. Sadly no detachable MEV and with the heatshield removed not even a close facsimile of the MEV to look at. (WOTANs note: I have this kit and have to say the only good part about it is the box art! Appaling production quality, bad build and only a passing resemblance to the Zero X!)

3.This little plastic toy as you can see is only 4 to 5 cms long and was issued by a company called Morinaga. They produced dairy products way back in the sixties.

4.Reissue of the large IMAI motorised kit. Purchased in 2008 but the outer box is marked ©1967 - 2007. In these two shots its identical to the 1968 version. Comes packaged in secondary outer 'History Makers' box.

5. Two versions of the die cast Zero X were released side by side in the same Captain Scarlet titled box the only discerning difference from the packaging was a gold/red metallic sticker to denote the contents were the Thunderbirds version with rocksnake included. Whereas the Captain Scarlet version came with a poster and painted in the slightly different shade of blue.
(WOTANSs note: see here for Thunderbirds version in detail: http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2009/06/rockets-red-glare.html)

6. Then a year or so later out came the 3rd die cast issue with completely different box artwork and sporting a Captain Scarlet 40th anniversary sticker. Same toy as before though so no bonus for collectors other than the box artwork.

7.Bandai Plastic Friction toy - (WOTANs note - see more of the range here: http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2008/10/bandai-zero-x-thunderbirds-toys.html)

8.Never seen one in the flesh so this picture comes from the book 'Thunderbirds Merchandise Museum'. It very possibly is a shampoo/bubble bath bottle and several of the Thunderbirds crafts were produced in this format.

9.This model kit was issued by IMAI quite late on and rather unusually contains a mini TB2 and Mole. I would hazard a guess at it being the mid sized kit like the IMAI 1980s version, IMAI Captain Scarlet version and Aoshima version.

10.Project SWORD Annual cutaway illustration of the Zero X craft.

So thats a rundown of all the major contenders outside of the Century 21 toy version, no doubt there were other less well known versions of the craft produced, especially after the release of 'Thunderbirds Are Go!' on the big screen - Do any other blog readers have other toys or models to show ?

 

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Two years ago I blogged a pic of a fabulous 1960's Japanese Thunderbirds Target Game with a stunning Zero-X cover. The game contained a rifle a little like the US 1960's Mattel's Lost In Space Roto-Jet Gun. About a year ago I blogged a pic of a cool 60's Thunderbirds Plasticine Set from Japan, which included a nifty Zero-X mould. Both of these were found on an old Japanese website called the Thunderbirds Museum. Despite a number of dead links I have spent a great hour looking through every picture on the site. Above is a gallery of all the Zero-X items to be found there including the two I've mentioned [tried to contact the site owner but couldn't find a link]. I particularly like the Zero-X record [top left corner]! I don't suppose any of us Swordies have any of this cool stuff so enjoy the pics!

 

 

PS. In the Toys Section there's mention if an unlicensed Flying OX but there's no picture. Anyone know what it is?

The Aoshima and Century 21 Zero X Compared by Jim Lewis

This is a re-posting of a post I made for collector Jim Lewis back in 2010. It compares the C21 SWORD  Zero X and Aoshima die cast version and I thought it would go down well on Zero X day. Here's to Jim.

All photos: Left to Right: Aoshima, Century 21

I have been the proud owner of a Century 21 ZERO X for more than twenty years now. I longed for one as a kid but never got one despite constant nagging of my parents back in the late 1960s when they were in the shops. It was with some excitement that as a fan of this incredible vehicle I heard a couple of years back that a high quality precision created miniature was to become available for collectors. When I first saw images online I was stunned and truly shook by its beauty. However what shook me more was the price to those in England looking to own one.

 

 

When I bought my own boxed Century 21 ZERO X back in the late 1980s it was the most expensive thing I had ever bought for my collection. At £125 my usually supportive partner had her doubts that I had gone completely over the top. However when it arrived even she agreed it was a beautiful looking toy and as it still ‘did stuff’ too after twenty odd years conceded that it was a fine addition to my collection. When the Aoshima die-cast miniature first became available the price was a similar £125 or thereabouts, plus a carriage cost in the region of £20. With the fear of being nabbed for import fees as well a total cost of around £150+ pretty much put me off the idea of ever owning one.

 

 

I would rather have spent that sort of money on a vintage item rather than a modern piece however good it may have looked. Recently the Japanese online specialist company HOBBYLINK JAPAN offered the ZERO X at a knock down price, including postage, of a little more than £70. “I’m having some of that” I thought and within three days of hitting the “BUY IT NOW” button it was on my doorstep. (I’ve waited longer with eBay to get things from thirty miles away so top marks to HOBBYLINK JAPAN!)

The model itself is absolutely gorgeous. Not entirely die-cast in construction, but then of course not even classic DINKY TOYS were, but for the most part it does seem to be metal. The colour seems a very close match to the one seen on the model in THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO too. The small detailing is incredible and the finish is stunning. The paint/decal markings are very accurate although the numbers are not in the old Eurostyle font which would have been more authentic and something that the Century 21 version duplicates a little more exactly, but not quite.

 

As the images show the two models are pretty similar in size but the general scale and proportion of the older toy is way off of course. The newer version is very accurate, certainly to my eye, and gives any owner a pleasing representation of the classic Anderson craft. (The ‘SCARLET’ version differs only marginally in terms of livery on the MEV)

The Aoshima MEV doesn’t do much but then of course it is a display piece and not meant to entertain children. An Escape Unit can be ejected from the main body by depressing a small button at the front end and the large gun can also be deployed by turning over the small oblong section on the roof. The various sets of wheels and undercarriage sections do fold down too and of course the chrome heat shield/nose cone can be removed. In comparison to the ‘all singing all dancing’ 1960s toy it is pretty boring. No flashing lights, no backwards and forwards motion and certainly no friction driven lifting bodies but in terms of appearance it is unbeatable.

 

To compare these two items is to actually offer a disservice to both. They must be judged for what each of them are. The Century 21 toy is now an almost 50 year old toy made cheaply to be sold to children for a few weeks play until it was ultimately in as many pieces as the real ZERO X at the climax of the film itself. The Aoshima is a current piece of precise engineering aimed as a high end collectible to satisfy international adult collectors.

Despite the efforts of all those involved in the creation of this magnificent die-cast piece who I applaud I still cannot help but be dewy eyed when I gaze upon the old toy. I always wanted one and finally got one as a 25 year old man. Whenever I go though my collection there are two or three pieces I still have to pinch myself to see that I really do own them and this is one of them. It’s value, although high when they do appear for sale, is almost an irrelevance to me. It is the pure joy of knowing I finally have one that makes me smile. To a degree the same can be said for the Aoshima as it truly stands out alongside other more recent collectible Anderson merchandise and I am so pleased to own one.

http://www.hobbylinkjapan.com/ Well worth a look!

Jim Lewis 2010

PS. Checkout Jim's You Tube video about his C21 Zero X. Search for modmart. Woodsy.