MOONBASE CENTRAL: January 2015

Saturday, 31 January 2015

MORE MANUAL LABOUR

Hi Woodsy,

Saw your post about the Hover Tank manual page. You asked if anyone had done their own Sword manual pages. Years ago I toyed with the idea of doing a new version of the manual with photographic images. I only got as far as trying three pages and didn't really complete those, but here are my attempts.

Take care,

Kevin D

MASTERMODELS: MORE FILM FOOTAGE FROM 1968

Whilst doing further research into Mastermodels I came across a longer silent film at British Pathe. It appears to be out-takes and cuts from the footage posted previously on the blog. It includes a short section featuring the Zero X on a workbench as seen in this blurry screengrab, around the six minute mark.

It also features more Joe 90 Macs car and lots of bi-plane and jet model making. All in all quite fascinating. I have let Andrew Barr of Mastermodels know too.

Click here to watch the video on British Pathe's website.

MANUAL LABOUR

I asked recently if anyone had ever had a go at a custom page for the Project SWORD Manual.

Reader Paul V responded with this truly excellent graphic for my new Hover Tank.

Thanks so much Paul!

MASTERMODELS ZERO X IN PICTURES

With kind permission from Andrew Barr of Mastermodels I am mega pleased to be able to post their fantastic photographs of the Zero X model under construction for Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds in the 1960's.

You can also read Mastermodel's own case study about their work for Gerry including amazing colour footage of Joe 90's Mac Car model being built. Click.

FROM MASTERMODELS TO MOONBASE: THE FOUR YEAR JOURNEY OF ZERO X

Sometimes I get a surprise in my email bag. Here's a New Year one. In 2011 I wrote to Mastermodels and this month I got a reply, 4 years later! My original email is below with the response below that. Enjoy! Pictures to follow!

From: Woodsy

Sent: 19 June 2011 23:25
To: Sales
Subject: Request

Dear Master Models,

I have just been enjoying browsing your fabulous site. I am a huge fan of Century 21 films, shows and vehicles and in particular those vehicles that made it to the toy manufacturers. A case in point is the wonderful Zero-X, which I see on your site.

I wondered if I could ask a favour and ask if I might post your Zero-X pictures on my own blog dedicated to Gerry Anderson toys and models? Naturally I would credit them to you and post a link to your site. I have readers allover the world and it would take the fabulous pictures to a different audience. My site is http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/

Looking at your Zero-X pictures a few questions spring to mind:

1. Were the models made directly from Derek Meddings' designs, which I think I can just see on the wall behind

2. Why was the number 26 on the tailfins? Did you make 26 models?

3. In Derek Medding's book he says that £2,500 was paid for the Zero-X model [in 1965 or 6?]. Was that to yourselves?

4. Did you know that the vehicle was made into a fabulous toy in 1967 by Century 21 as part of the Project SWORD range? Did you have any involvement in Project SWORD or the toy side? Did you ever know any of the box artists who illustrated the C21 toy boxes by any chance?

I have found this clip on the British Pathe news archive of a man making Thunderbird 2 in 1968. Is this Master Models?

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=2517

Thank you in advance,

Best Wishes,

Woodsy

__________________________________________________

From: Andrew Barr

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2015 6:02 PM

Subject: RE: Request - Zero X Photos

Hello

I have just been doing some clearing out of old e mails on my lap top and I came across

your e mail below from June 2011 !!

I apologise that this was never answered until now.

I can confirm that we would be happy for you to publish the zero x pictures from our site on your blog.

Our site has been re designed and the link to Zero X photos is here...

http://www.mastermodels.co.uk/gallery/television/

To answer your questions...

1) Yes. Although I think there were a team of creative people at A P Films / Century 21 at that time doing drawings.

2) I have no idea why 26 is on the tail fins. We made 1 x large model and a couple of smaller ones.

3) Yes. This would have been paid to either the original Mastermodels or to AGM. Both companies that my Father owned and managed.

4) I did not know until I looked at your blog that Zero X was made into a toy.

...and yes the Pathe News clip is filmed at AGM Ltd (Aeronautical & General Modelmakers Ltd). AGM is our parent company.

Best Regards

Andrew

Apologies again for the wait you had to endure before getting a reply.

Andrew Barr

Managing Director

JULES VERNE TOYS

Hi Woodsy,

following your mention of Jules Verne, and there is a good clockwork submarine model of the Nautilus. see above.

It doesn't get as much of a mention as 20,000 leagues, but he also wrote two books, Robur the Conqueror and Master of the World, which were filmed in 1961 as "Master of the World" with Vincent Price as mad inventor Robur.

It has a great flying ship, "The Albatross". I would recommend the film, which I think is on YouTube.

All the best
Andy B

NOVA

Friday, 30 January 2015

NICHIMO RANGER

Here's a nice shot I found online of the Japanese Pioneer space ranger by Nichimo [at the back][picture: akasikogorou]

FAMOUS MONSTERS OF TOMLAND

The recent mention of Tomland toys rekindled my old passion for their Monsters line. Coming out too late to tempt me away from heavy rock and parties in my late teens, the original release sadly passed me by.

It was only years later that I discovered this UK company's grrrroovy Famous Monsters of Legend line. OK, they had to cover the classic big beasts like Frankie and Wolfie but it was the B-league monsters who never saw the light of a toy shop window that caught my eye.

The Fly, Vincent Price's finest hour, got a look in, as did Harryhausen's Cyclops, the Time Machine's Morlock and the Abominable Snowman.

Deliciously cheapo with raggedy clothes, like the basic knockoff action men I had as a kid, they came with brilliant card art. I still don't own any but have admired them at toy fairs for years and loved finding out about them in my toy books and latterly the internet. I'm sure I have a colouring book that features the card art as well somewhere, but not the original one, which you can read about, along with all the monsters and their outer space chums, the Star Raiders, on the brilliant Plaid Stallions.

Flickr

Thursday, 29 January 2015

CHIBI MOON PROSPECTOR ON YOU TUBE

Just found this short film on You Tube of the Argentinian Moon Prospector clone, the Explorador Planetario by Chibi.

This blue plastic toy comes in a really appealing box with excellent and unusual artwork completely different to the Century 21, Tai Hing and Tarheel versions.

Have you got one of these readers? Is yours CHIBI or the other spelling BICHI?

THE GENESIS OF THUNDERBIRD 2

Thunderbird 2 has had several makeovers since Derek Meddings conceived his iconic craft in 1965. It has now come full circle with its latest incarnation for the new Thunderbirds TV show. Here area few notable steps along the journney.

1965

Bonhams

1965

Thunderbirds

1970

SpaceX Nuclear Freighter II/ Bill Bulloch

1982

Thunderbirds 2086

2004

Universal

2015

Jonathan Holmes/ Radio Times

Wednesday, 28 January 2015

REACH FOR THE SKY

Have a great year to come Billster.

Here's your new Business Card

to smooth the way to heap big success!

THE FIRST PHOTO BILL EVER EMAILED ME

TO YOUR FORMER SHELF

AND FUTURE YOU!

ENJOY YOUR BIRTHDAY EVENING BILL!

THE FLAME OF THE WEST

I first got to know Bill in the mid to late 1990's. I had published a Project SWORD checklist online and Bill got in touch. I was collecting Project SWORD and Bill was collecting SpaceX. We lived on opposite sides of Northern England, Bill in the West and me the East, separated by the dark lofty Pennine hills.

We hit it off straight away and began to share photographs, info and stories. I remember we swapped a lot of stuff and Bill sent me some jet pictures from Quaker Oats and some cool rubber body parts and a monster ring! I think I sent him a pink Roxy moon traffic car.

For some reason we lost touch for a while but then I'd bid on something on Ebay and Bill recognised my handle and made contact again. Then a Century 21 Moon Climber popped up on the Bay. I bid, lost and Bill uttered the immortal words 'You should have put the ton on it!"

In 2008 Bill helped me establish the blog and several years later he was the driving force behind our role on the radio.

Bill is now a University undergraduate and is I'm sure helping his fellow students also find their individual voices like he did for me.

So here's to you Billster,

Live long and prosper!