The English summer is nearly over and our schools reopen next week. I can't quite believe that I have had six weeks off as I really don't know where the time has gone. Despite my best efforts at time-slowing it has still flown by. So, what's happened over the summer....
MOONBASE COMMUNITY GROWS!
First up, Herzlichen Gluckwunsche to Ed B and his family on the birth of their new grandchild. Well done! I think that may be the first Moonbase community grand birth!
MESSAGE FROM THE PAST
I was pleasantly surprised to have got an email from Marc Frattasio. Marc was my earliest contact on the net regarding Anderson models, particularly those used in Gerry's TV shows. Years before this blog came about and with limitless patience, Marc read and answered all my emails quizzing him about Project SWORD! Now a New England railroad enthusiast and author, Marc's help back then was acknowledged on my original Project SWORD and SpaceX online checklist.
A HERCULEAN TASK
The only C21 SWORD toy I don't have in my collection [apart from the Nuclear Ferry!] is the red Task Force 2. This summer I tried again to win one on Ebay but to no avail. SWORD toys do seem to have become more popular!&?! Should anyone have a spare Task Force 2, loose or boxed, I do have a few things I could swap!
MOONBASE VISIT
Bill B made an impromptu visit for a couple of days this summer in which he was able at long last to photograph a complete set of loose SpaceX I toys for the blog. We also kicked around ideas for another blog exclusive. Watch this space!
NO SPACE TOYS HERE!
I have just spent a week in the west of Germany and despite visiting a huge car boot sale I managed to find zip space toys. Nichts. Nada. Nowt. Like in all nations I suspect, toys found at provincial car boot sales reflect the toy culture of the country. In Germany's case it is a combination of Playmobil, Kinder toys, Die- Cast, Maerklin and other train sets and native TV characters such as Sandmanchen, Mainzelmanchen and Der Sendung mit Der Maus. Browsing through Germany's many glossy toy collecting magazines in shops confirmed the homogeneous nature of the country's toy hobbyists. Maybe a large City toy fair like Cologne would have at least a few space toys? Does your country of residence have particular toy collecting habits?
THE AIR IS TURNING
Now I'm back I've noticed an Autumnal tinge to the English sunlight and possible winter projects have flecked my thoughts. I would like to reproduce the inner packaging for all my Project SWORD toys maybe [Cape Kennedy done, 19 more to go!] and finish my Blurb book on Jack Rosenthal toys perhaps. The idea of a Moonbase SWORD Stockist is also appealing. Then again, I may just curl up with Mrs. Moonbase and watch TV for six months!
FORTY SIX YEARS ON
September will bring the first new and official Project SWORD TV21 story and illustration to be published since 1968. Its a hugely exciting prospect and I was pleased to learn from the artist that he has visited this very blog now and then. Despite it being part of a limited edition set from Network, I do hope we get to see the illustration and story at some point. Who'd have thought, Project SWORD Century 22! We wait with baited breath!
Wilkommen nach blog Woodsy. I wouldnt mind visiting a continental boot sale, the ones in Burscough are rubbish and overpriced tat!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Woodsy and aside from the boot sales, hope ya had a great time! AND you can bet when I'm holding the little one she'll be enjoying Moonbase Central with Opa!
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