In Winter 2015 I did some research into the likely origins of the Project SWORD Moon Ranger pilot, cockpit and dome released by Century 21 Toys in in 1967
I concluded that they were first seen on the space car of the Astro Base by Ideal 1961 and blogged my findings at the time in new origins. A few weeks later I blogged a link to a picture of the Ideal pilot's mould.
Eighteen months on I hope to further help visualise the connection between the two toys. I have posted here two short films showing the pilot and dome being lowered onto each toy.
This first clip, top, shows Ideal's Astro Base in action and the how the pilot and dome was lowered [and raised] via the battery-operated winch on the tower. It is an original 1961 US TV commercial courtesy of You Tube.
This second clip above shows the Century 21 pilot and dome being lowered into the Project SWORD Moon Ranger.
This does not usually happen but has been used to show the similarities between the two pilots and domes.
This film was kindly shot by Bill B of his own Moon Ranger and I edited the final video making it black and white as well.
Its interesting to start both films at the same time and watch the two lowering sequences together.
Hopefully this mini film project has been of some interest.
Let me know what you think.
A fun way to offer evidence and show comparisons for your case study. I enjoyed both clips. Editing as B/W suited the topic, and added a smoother visual link between the two clips. Good choice, Woodsy :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tone. Glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to do as well and there's something quite authentic about Sixties toys being foiled in black and white.
Deletefoiled? I meant filmed! doh.
DeleteHaha, don't worry, Woodsy... as it goes, it's a good blooper... and it actually sounds oddly comical. I only have to look at a keybord, and I get the dreaded typolitis :D
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