OLD SPACE NUTS: SPACEMEN RAMP WALKERS

Some space toys seem to be everywhere. Like old chestnuts they pop up all the time on Ebay, at toyfairs and fleamarkets. One such toy are these spacemen ramp walkers. For some reason Ebay has been full of them ever since I can remember. Produced in vast numbers, they became the 'muzak' of space toys on the Bay so I didn't really give them a second look. Well, I thought I'd give them that second look as well as a few more old 'space' nuts.

The spacemen ramp walkers appear to come in these four basic types [I have made up the names]:

nuts

astronauts

big noses

devils

As with any mass produced toy made in Hing Kong there were countless colour variations and formats such as this merry trio of grey astronauts. Similarly, header cards and names varied. I have seen 'Space Twins' and lovely headers with lifted space art.

Fellow blogger Geoff has even more loose space walkers and probably the best photographs I have seen of them anywhere online: Geoff's Toys.


Anyone got any of these little gems readers or know any more about them?

Brains of the Operation

Ever since I saw the Quatermass Experiment as a kid, I've loved aliens and monsters with huge brains and tentacles. Such classics as Fiend Without A Face and The Trollenberg Terror fascinated me (besides scaring me witless). These were real aliens, not like the animal headed creatures that sci fi is so fond of lately (don't get me started on Guardians of the Galaxy...), without reference to humanoid or animal shapes, they were 'different' and scary.

Since then, I've found the odd toy featuring an octopoid or brainy alien and just this week, got a cheap Lego Turtles toy, with a Krang minifigure. Molded in a single piece, Krangs' bright pink body just reminded me of Terence Cunos' beautiful illustration for Wells War of The Worlds in 1970s mag Tell Me Why.

To go with Krang, I also have 3 Stinkhorn figures from Bluebird Manta Force, a neat rubber pencil top octopod and the daddy of them all, Teachers Pet 'Sandy', as seen resting on my seven year old head in the back garden in Liverpool, displaying my monster collection!

They were the days..

TOMY RUNAWAY ROCKET 1976

Just noticed the handheld game, Runaway Rocket from 1976, on the Bay whilst searching for "Tomy Rocket". I love the little grey rocket, which reminds of a SWORD Scout 2. The graphics on the rolling background are pretty cool too! Anyone got anymore early handheld games like this?

GREEN SLIME LUNAR TRANSPORTER: NEW IMAGE

Lunar Transporter a la SpaceX

The Green Slime

Japanese DVD

Top left

Down To The Sea In...

My latest addition from the amazing world of ebay, is a Gama Sea Ranger. The Sea Ranger was originally designed by Luigi Colani and appeared at the 1979 Essen Motor show, based on a Unimog chassis.

The model is around six inches long with a diecast body, gull wing doors and opening roof panel. Designed as a recreational amphibious vehicle, the sea ranger comes with a large antenna array and detachable sports seat.

Oddly, Woodsy gave me a smaller 6 wheeled version, some time back, but I didn't recognise it!

BOOK COVER SUMMER: SPACE GLIDER

Space Glider cover

Tranquility Down

ANTI-DALEK SONIC DISINTERGRATOR

With reference to Woodsy's post about that mystery Ray Gun toy here's an ad for Lincoln International's Anti-Dalek guns which shows something similar.

Also here's Lincoln International's three other Anti - Dalek arsenal. 

I'd imagine they were all based on previously released toys but now with added 'Dalekmania'!

CODEG MISSILE FIRING CAR AND MISSILE FIRING ARMOURED CAR BOX SET

Ferryman Collection

[SpaceX Cricket shown for scale]

MYSTERY RAY GUN TOY

What's the story behind this ray gun on this old Colliers magazine cover? 

I'm sure I've seen it before.

BOOK COVER SUMMER: TOYS AND ACTION MAN COVERS

I've always been fascinated by the use of toys on the covers of paperbacks. I think it stems from my passion for the photo box lids of the Tarheel Project SWORD toys.


Not sure if we've seen these book covers before but here goes:

and if that wasn't cool enough then take a look at this amazing post done by another blogger with a similar penchant for toy cover art. The Action Man shots are just brilliant!

NEW PROJECT SWORD STORY ILLUSTRATION ARTIST

Image: Paul McCaffrey, ScarComics

The new Project SWORD story illustration will be drawn by Paul McCaffrey, pictured above. The illustration will form part of a newly commissioned TV21 to accompany a Limited edition Blu Ray Box Set, "Filmed in Supermarionation".

I have contacted Paul and unfortunately due to contractual reasons he was not able to tell us any more. He does read the blog though! We'll just have to wait until October for the first official TV21 Project SWORD artwork since Malcolm Stoke's drawing shown here for the final story "The End of the Beginning", 15th March 1969 [I have the full story and will post it next March near the date it appeared in 1969].

For more info about Paul go to COROFLOT.

Image: TV21, Malcolm Stokes

FRED IRA ORDWAY III RIP

Blog reader and publisher Rob Godwin has told me about the sad passing of his friend Fred Ordway, who Rob describes as one of a kind. Mr.Ordway advised Stanley Kubrick when he made 2001.

Orbituary New York Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TRACY ISLAND REVEALED: First look at the home of Thunderbirds Are Go!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Tracy Island revealed: 

First look at the home of Thunderbirds Are Go

Producers release shot from the anticipated re-make of the much loved series

Fans get an exclusive first look at the new Tracy Island

The picture was unveiled to coincide with Thunderbirds panel at COMIC-CON® International 2014.

Thunderbirds Are Go producers have released an exclusive image from the production of their new series; an insight into the brand new Tracy Island. The picture was unveiled as a Thunderbirds panel came together to discuss the heritage of the series at COMIC-CON® International, San Diego, in celebration of the show's upcoming fiftieth anniversary in 2015.

Tracy Island is fondly remembered for its unique features including its retractable swimming pool and tilting palm trees. In keeping with the original setting, the island still stands tall over the crystal clear waters of an exotic location. 

The action packed reboot will be produced using a unique mix of CGI animation and live-action model sets to deliver a new level of action-adventure animation whilst also paying tribute to the classic 1960's phenomenon.

Speaking about Tracy Island, Executive Producer Giles Ridge said, "It's great to have the chance to give fans a sneak peak at the home of Thunderbirds. Tracy Island was a much loved feature of the original show, so it felt right that we showcase our new-look location with the show's followers."

ITV Studios is currently in production with Pukeko Pictures on a remake of the classic series originally produced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson. The series will debut on ITV and CITV in 2015 and has already been sold to Australia's Nine Network.

David Graham, the original voice of Parker, will reprise his role and is to be joined by Rosamund Pike as Lady Penelope. The Tracy brothers are to be voiced by Thomas Brodie Sangster (Game of Thrones), Kayvan Novak (Fonejacker) and Rasmus Hardiker (Saxondale)

For more information:

Rosie Jones

Account Manager

Taylor Herring 

DALEK PATROL SHIP & PILOT

As the hotly anticipated new series of Doctor Who featuring Peter Capaldi  is due to air next month I though it’s time to give some Who merchandise a mention.

Generally speaking Who merchandise for me means  Daleks, and my latest acquisition is this Dalek Patrol Ship complete with pilot.

As far as I’m aware  this particular Patrol Ship first appeared in the fiftieth anniversary special  ‘Day Of The Doctor’.

 It has a spring loaded firing cannon on top, and removable armoured panels.

It’s scaled to the 3.75” series and comes with its own pilot.

It’s a perfect complimentary vehicle to the previously released Dalek Hoverbout.

BOOK COVER SUMMER: THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD

Check out this beautiful Booster Rocket on the cover of Heinlein's classic, The Man Who Sold The World.

TOY FISTICUFFS: SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN V CAPTAIN LAZER

So readers, in the big dukeroo between the Six Million Dollar Man toy figure and the Captain Lazer figure, who would win? Opinions and reasons via comments as usual. Use all the gizmo's they have!

COOL TOY OF THE WEEK

Rocket Truck

Plastic

1960's

DDR

[old East Germany]

online source: virtuelles speilzeugmuseum

Anyone else like Eastern bloc toys like me?

BEAUTIFUL SCI FI SITE FROM FINLAND

Whilst looking for sci-fi covers I came across this lovely Finnish site about Sci-Fi comics. I particularly love the author's childhood comic covers, which have a look of the gorgeous coloured pencil drawings of JRR Tolkien. Of course our very own Bill Wotan B made fab childhood drawings of his favourite spacex toys, which would have made great comic covers.

BLIMEY ANNOUNCES PROJECT SWORD IN PRINT AGAIN!

Blog reader Gerry D has kindly brought to my attention some very exciting news, which has appeared on BLIMEY! Lew Stringer's excellent comics blog.

Lew has announced that Project SWORD will be print AGAIN! Yes, Project SWORD will return as part of a one-off Limited edition TV21 special included in a Blue-Ray set by Network 'Filmed In Supermarionation'. 

If I have understood it correctly, the strip, along with many more Anderson shows, will be NEW, written by a modern writer! Wow! Let's hope it comes off.

Check out Lew's scoop here on BLIMEY! and the actual Press Release from NETWORK.

INSPIRATION FOR THE LUNAR CARRIER

As a post script to the Konami Lunar Carrier I  found this feature in the 1980 Dan Dare annual featuring drawings of real prototype aircraft and the designs did remind me of the SHADO Lunar Carrier. I wonder if Derek Meddings had seen pictures of these exotic looking craft when he designed the Carrier. What do you think?