BLOG LEGEND: THE HOOVER SPACE BIRD

Continuing this month's special look at blog legends, we delve deep into the blog's beginnings to uncover the mystery of the legendary Hoover Space Bird.

It was first alluded to on the blog by Bill Bulloch in the summer of 2009 discussing the header card of the newly discovered 'pop rocket, missile, airplane'.

"Interestingly there is also a Fireball XL5 - esque rocket top right. WOTAN remembers this as the Spacebird toy in the 1960's - anyone else?"

In 2010 Bill described the Spacebird in much greater detail in an attempt to jar someone's memory and identify the mystery toy.

"Round about 1970, when I was bought a different cheap Hong Kong toy every week by my fabulous parents, I got a cool friction drive rocket in lieu of that weeks comics. This was a large toy, maybe 12" long - definitley on a par with Probe Force 2. Wheels were very similar, with embossed spokes and the body was plastic. 

I've created a rough impression of how it looked - the back end was very XL5' ish and the front was a long white cylinder with clear cockpit and pilot. The red nose had a plastic 'needle' in it, supported by an elastic band behind it, so that it would retract on hitting and obstacle. The side wings had SB 3 or SB 2 stencilled on and the box was colourfully decorated with the name 'SpaceBird'. 

Since that day up to seeing the card header, I've never seen another. The picture on the card was clearly based on this toy as its exactly as I remember the toy. Does this ring any bells with anyone ? I cant recall a brand - although it was not any of the usual 'Anderson' makers."

This is all that Bill had left of his Spacebird, a lonely nosecone!

It took three more long years before the next development in this legend when I sent the following email to Bill in 2013.

__________________________________________________

Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 5:23 PM

Subject: Is This It?

Bill, is this toy on Ebay the mystery rocket toy that you once posted on the blog? 

To which Bill replied with the immortal words: 

That's it Woodsy! Straight off the header card of the pop rockets and out of my childhood past! Spring loaded needle nose and everything! 

____________________________________________

So, the Spacebird still exists! Not only that but our good friend Arto went on to win it! Arto kindly supplied these photographs of this marvelous toy, now officially known as the Spacebird 6 by Hoover.

Arto's initial observations were

I think what makes the difference from the quite simple Task Force - type design are the side fins, which for me (for some reason) bring to mind the fins of the C21 Submarine Aircraft Carrier. The SB 6 logos are painted on, so not decals. I also fancy the odd-shaped box with beautiful electric blue space background. Sadly the nose spike is missing, but I guess could be added on with a replacement quite easily.

To which Bill replied:

Hi Arto, congrats on a super win!  I see yours is missing the front needle. This is probably because it was retractable inside the nose. The part itself was shaped like a white darning needle and through the eye was threaded an elastic band, so that when it bumped into a wall, the needle slid back against the tensioned elastic. Alas, I don't have the needle anymore, but I'm sure you can fabricate one. I never realised it was Hoover, but do recall the back wheels are the same as probe force one, but a different colour.

Cheers Bill

______________________________________________

But the story doesn't end there. Like looking for a needle in a nosecone, there is a twist in the tale! I'll let Arto take up the story.....

Believe my amazement when peeking into the empty hole of the nose cone and finding absolutely nothing there, then by chance noticing something white - like a cotton swab - stuck inside the rear exhaust! The needle - pictured below [Ed].

The rubber band must have been broken (with parts of it still inside I believe) and the spike got loose. A very different design from what I assumed at first. Never would have guessed to look for it there and like you explained. Now I see how it could travel inwards if the nose cone. The thin part of the needle fits the front hole perfectly, but no way of getting it back in place as the nose cone is glued fast.

So, the blog legend has come full circle! From Bill first having it as a kid in 1970 with only a nosecone surviving his rough and tumble, to his truly detailed recollections of it on the blog in 2010 right up to Arto actually acquiring a beautiful boxed example of the toy itself in 2013.

Looking at the toy one more time it does recall the sleek speed car design of Project SWORD's Task Force 3 pictured below.

But for me the biggest influence which springs to mind is Fireball XL5 and in particular the rear side wings and the stepped and tapered rear engine. What do you think readers?