Recently browsing the cool Britmodeler site I couldn't help noticing the similarity between the UFO Sky 1 model by Imai [above] and my brown HG Toys Pleasure Cruiser kindly donated by Mr. Vreede last year [pictured above, top]. Is there a connection?
As far as I can tell the Sky 1, part of the larger SHADO Skydiver submarine, was designed by Derek Meddings around 1969. As Tri-ang's SpaceX only hit the shelves in 1970 the Pleasure Cruiser design could theoretically have been influenced by Sky 1, but there's no real evidence other than a superficial similarity in both look and name, Sky 1 and Cruiser 1.
About five years ago when many of the SpaceX toy origins were discovered by various intrepid blog readers, a more likely origin for the design of the Pleasure Cruiser was suggested by Toad as seen below.
It appeared in the Boys World Annual 1968 and is strikingly similar, particularly the top drawing shown above. So, there you have it. Boys World and Sky 1. To remind you of what the Triang Pleasure Cruiser looks like here's Kevin's original toy and scratchbiult mega model seen recently here at Moonbase central! What do you think readers? Boys World, Sky 1, both or something else?
Toad tells me she made no claim that the Boys World Annual was the (or an) origin of the Pleasure Cruiser, and would consider such to be a silly claim to make. She merely said the illustrations bore some resemblance to said craft.
ReplyDelete