ALPHA MOONBASE PROP

I hope he won't mind me mentioning it, but I'm pleased to hear that the surviving  parts of the original Moonbase Alpha prop are currently going through some meticulous  restoration by it's owner, James Winch.

I've been lucky enough to see the prop at various events, and although when I saw it, bits of detail were missing and the model was looking it's age, it was still a very  impressive model,

Even though travel tubes and landing pads are missing (these were apparently vac-formed and attached to the plaster on the original baseboard ) its still a big model, so when James' get's round to reproducing these missing pads and tubes it'll be huge.

James has now finished restoring the buildings, and once he's found or reproduced the missing parts, he'll be working out a way to create a display base board.

That is something I'd be very much looking forward to seeing. The very best of luck with the project, James.

James has kindly sent me some photos he's taken of how the restored Moonbase Alpha is looking now.

I think it goes without saying it looks superb, but I'm going to say it anyway. A great piece of work, James.

This last photo shows parts for the new outer buildings, and what looks like travel tubes.

Strings, bellows, green brains and ketchup

It's amazing the effect string can have.

As a kid I loved the purple thread that shot out of Callisto's ray gun. Callisto as you'll recall was the green brained stablemate of Mattel's Man in Space, Major Matt.

The string shot out as a result of squeezing a set of small alien bellows. The effect was to lash adversaries about the body with a toxic whip. I'm unsure if Major Matt was Callisto's adversary or not  so it may have been Scorpio the ball wizard who was whipped. I wonder if Callisto could lash one of his balls in mid-air like a clay pigeon?

I was reminded of this stringy technology last weekend on a visit to Dinsdales joke shop in Hull. The proprietor greeted Missus Moonbase and I with a look at his squeezy ketchup bottle on the counter. Out shot what appeared to be a stream of tomato sauce! Or so we thought! It was simply red string shot out by the bellow effect of the plastic Bottle! Classic fun!

He had performed this very joke on two famous politicians who had visited his shop that very morning! Ha ha.

There will be more on Dinsdales to come.

Did you have any string toys and jokes as kids readers?

My whizzwheels chilDhood

I don't often write about die-cast.

Its largely because I don't have any anymore.

Apart from the odd hot-wheel die cast ended with my childhood.

However, as a kid I adored it! Die cast was up there with Action Man, Major Matt Mason and space.

Like all kids of the Sixties I was fed a nourishing diet of Hot Wheels, Whizzwheels, Superfast, Corgi Rockets, Corgi Juniors, Super Kings and Matchbox.

I remember so many of these cars its untrue, Its as of they are imprinted on my brain. I remember more about them than I do about being at School. Despite not being able to distinguish between Corgi and Dinky any more, here are a few I recall.

I loved the large die cast Accident Repair Truck. It had two cranes on the back and a huge dark red front cab. This was followed closely on the carpet by the white and orange Police Van. Inside where plastic Accident signs and orange bollards. God how I loved to set them all up round a die cast crash,

I also loved the cycling set too. It was a group of Citroens in a display box along with a set of very colourful cyclists. It was a gorgeous really gorgeous package with a French street scene on the backing card I think,

This reminds me of the TV cameraman on top of a BBC van I think it was. I have the feeling it was a display set too. Maybe it came with the cyclists? Again I adored that little plastic cameraman.

Once you start thinking about die casts from the past they start queuing up like IKEA's just opened!

Daktari was a cool set too. The striped jeep, the animal vets, the lion and chimp. I forget their names now but it was superb fun. Similarly veterinary was the amazing Chipperfields circus range. The main truck was a strange shaped blue and red carriage with ramps for the animals to descend. Similar trailers could be added I think and there were separate wheeled cages for lions and tigers although I may be fogging up on that.

Some of my favourite cars at the time included the futuristic blue and cream dream car. Aero 1 or something? Two beautiful plastic people were sat inside ready to drive to the Ivy for dinner [probably Lobster Bisque!]. 

I also couldn't get enough of American cars like the Stingray with its flipping lamps, the blue Marlin rambler, the gold Chevvy, the sleek Lincoln Continental with its rear illuminated TV screen [mine was a clown] and the small white Matchbox Ford Mustang with turning axles.

But of all the larger super cars in my bedroom I was in love with two the most - the sublime maroon Lincoln El Dorado and the even cooler lime green and white Lamborghini Marzal. I can see it's frosted rear windscreen tipping up even now. It was a Whizzwheels model I think. I used to play with the smaller single-piece matchbox version alongside it too. Flipping 'eck, those were good times!

I recall large scale British cars too like the Mini Countryman with its two surfboards on the roof, a neat turquoise Cortina panda car and a browny gold Capri I think. I reckon I had a Ford Granada as well but just can't picture it. There were older models too like an Austin with a large red plastic wheel on top which steered the car!

I haven't mentioned my adoration of many of the Hot Wheels red lines yet, but together with countless Matchbox cars and Corgi Rockets, I was never bored that's for sure. With miles of red track round my room it was Brands Hatch every day! I could have a separate blog just on these toys no probs!

The only real rejects in my die cast heaven were Matchbox Models of Yesteryear. I just couldn't get into that old timer vibe but I can see the attraction now.

So readers, which small metal cars did you cruise around with?

DINKY ED STRAKER'S CAR CODE 3 UPDATE

Here's a few photos showing how I'm getting on with my attempt at a Code 3 Ed Straker's car.

Since it was stripped down to bare metal, and rubbed down with some fine sand paper, it's had a couple of coats of grey primer, a couple  of coats of Ford Aztec Bronze metallic, and been given detail with satin finish black and silver trim.

I've masked and sprayed everything, rather than use a brush as I wanted an flat even finish.

I'm still tempted to hand paint the dark parts on the two bonnet and roof intakes, but I'm resisting it as I've seen some results from some photos posted on line which just look like ill defined black blobs .

Once I've decided not to add any more paint detail I'll give it a couple of  coats of lacquer and lastly add the tiny number plates. 

I  may at some point cut the keyless motor down and scratch build a better interior, as although I've sprayed the interior motor cover a tan colour the  moulded seats are too far forward for the fitting  of a seated figure inside.

Out of interest this was what the donor car  looked like, scratched and fairly knocked about.

kryton, electro man and the green cross code

Just enjoying my nightly dose of Star Trek the original series.

In this episode, Elaan of Troyius, we have a perfectly coiffured and red power shouldered Kryton, the bodyguard of Princess Elaan.

Kryton reminded me of someone. 

The red dressed Tootsietoy Captain Lazer?

Nope.

The red tuniced Electro Man by Ideal?

Nope.

The power shouldered Green Cross Code Man?

Yes!

Rock on Big Dave Prowse!

[oh, and maybe Christopher Reeves' Superman too!]

*

Do you watch Star Trek readers?

*

[pics: Ebay and Daily Mail]

Did you chew your sweater as a kid?

When I got mad as a kid i'd chew my jumper!

I would take one side of the collar of a v- neck jumper and put it between my teeth. This was done really quickly.

Once chewing on said sweater I would begin to snort and curse. None of anything I said made sense because I  had a mouthful of wool. Rage had made me unintelligible too.

Like a cross between Mutley from the Wacky Races and the Incredible Hulk, I would fume with clenched teeth in this way until I was dentally spent.

As a result of this chewing I would also dribble on my jumper's collar, which created a set of wet teeth marks when I had calmed down and returned to normal sweater wearing. Some collars may have been bitten clean through!

This chomping fury happened both at school and at home as people's ability to wind me up was universal.

Did you chew your jumpers readers? What did you do when you got angry as a kid?

EUROSEC FIRE TRUCK PROP

I took these pictures of this original prop that was supposed to have been used in the film, Journey to the far side of the Sun at Cosford in 2012.

It's described as a Fire and Rescue Truck -  high speed all-terrain vehicle used at EUROSEC Space Centre in Portugal.

Although it was designed by Derek Meddings, I can't honestly say it's one of his best, although some of you might disagree.  Maybe that's why it never turned up in the film.

I don't really know a lot about it, although I believe it's currently owned by mega prop collector James Winch, but any additional info would be most welcome.

Stony Smith and Buddy Charlie - Old Soldiers Never Die! More Tales from the Haunted Toy Box by Tony K.

A SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL!

It was 1964. GI Joe was the first action soldier to storm toy stores across the United States. It was an impressive campaign, where GI Joe, the defining 'Action Figure', was deployed by Hasbro to win the hearts and minds of kids across the country. 

Joe was made of tough plastics which incorporated a radically new system of posable articulation. He wore a stamped dog tag and authentic uniforms representing the US military. His supply column of outfits would equip him for combat, on land, at sea, and in the air.

GI Joe's blitzkrieg on toy-store America triggered rival forces. Marx were seasoned veterans. They would counter-attack with point-man, Stony 'Stonewall' Smith. 'The Battling Soldier' was an 11.1/2 inch tall figure made from 'unbreakable' poly-plastic. Unfortunately, only Stony's wrists, elbows, shoulders and head were movable. His solid lower body had no articulation. This was a self-inflicted wound for Marx. 

Stony could do little more than stand tall and fearlessly wait for the bullet which carried his name. A static Stony was no match for Hasbro's flexible fighting man. Marx launched a fresh attack with a battalion of improved Stony clones to boost morale and fill shelves. The new recruits had a slightly different style of uniform and new hip and knee articulation. 

The new box stated, ''COMPLETELY MOVABLE - Move Him Into 1001 COMBAT POSITIONS!''. With leg articulation, Stony was free to jump behind the wheel of the new Marx Military Jeep in a bid to keep pace with GI Joe.

Stony's packaging changed throughout the course of his career. He fought under a variety of names including Stony 'Stonewall' Smith, The Paratrooper, Stony Sky Commando, and finally, Stony The Paratrooper. Each re-branding would see him deployed in a large colourful product box packed with changeable plastic equipment and weapons. 

However, the final version of Stony The Paratrooper was released in a slimmer box, identical in dimension to GI Joes. Accessories were now boxed and sold separately as 'Stony Paratrooper Equipment'. 

Stony was flagging. In a desperate bid to take the high ground Marx unleashed the elite 'Stony 4 Man Combat Team'. This magnificent set consisted of four Stony clones equipped to be dropped behind the lines. 

Despite this brave action, Marx couldn't equal the movability and playability of GI Joe. GI Joe was firmly entrenched in the imagination of kids... and he refused to surrender his position. Stony had failed to secure his objective!

In 1966, Marx regrouped and deployed Stony's reinforcement, Buddy Charlie. 'Buddy Charlie' was the brand name Marx gave to their All American Fighter figures who were 'Made Expressly for Montgomery Ward'. The 'Montgomery Ward' text didn't appear on all Buddy Charlie boxes. Perhaps some were sold elsewhere? Buddy Charlie was a dangerously close clone to GI Joe. 

He had an action figure body, represented all four branches of the services, and wore fatigues and dog tags just like Joe! Buddy's product box was also identical in size. Marx would however wisely halt at copying the trademark GI Joe battle scar to avoid stepping into a legal minefield. The advances which came with Buddy Charlie were too little too late. 

Joe defeated Stony and Buddy at the Tannhäuser Gate... the Marx replicants had lost the war.

Boxed examples of Stony Smiths can be found. However, the Stony store display and the deluxe 'Stony 4 Man Combat Team' rarely reach the market. Boxed examples of Buddy Charlie are quite rare, particularly the store display set and the elusive Sailor and Airman. 

When Buddy does muster for parade, he's usually wearing boots looted from one of the cheap plastic imitators from the '60s, such as 'Johnnie Goes To War'. 

Original Buddy Charlie boots are very thin on the ground. Most become brittle and literally fell apart over time. Genuine Marx-branded Buddy Charlie Sailor and Airman hats are often missing in action, having been replaced with ersatz copies. 

In the latter part of the 1960s, Marx ceased military operations. By now they'd trail blazed into the Wild West, pioneering a successful niche with their range of Cowboy and Indian figures. Stony's head-sculpt was used for Marx cowboy, Johnny West. 

Hasbro's GI Joe flourished with changing times, constantly evolving into new incarnations as the years rolled into decades. This battle scarred soldier of fortune travelled the world under a variety of licensed nom de guerres. 

He landed in 1960s Britain, took the Queen's Shilling and signed-up as 'Action Man'. Like a plastic Peter Pan, he put us under his spell and took many of us on tremendous adventures when we were kids. 

Unlike GI Joe, Stony Smith and his brother in arms, Buddy Charlie, were unable to change their role and adapt to a changing world. They were made to be combat soldiers and nothing else... they couldn't move forward, or leave the past behind! 

They're anachronisms, forever anchored to the 1960s as a fading memory of a favourite toy given by a mum or dad. Some people don't get it, but I guess for some of us, our toys and trinkets are physical reminders which link us with our past. 

Unlike the parents, pets, people and places, we loved and lost along the way, our toys are still with us... unlike the changing landscape, they remain unchanged. They reinforce our fading 20th century memories and take us back to that precious and familiar time of a childhood which has long gone, but isn't entirely forgotten. 

Old Soldiers Never Die... at least not the plastic ones we knew as kids. 

Tony K

captains my captains

I was flicking through my old copy of Tom Tumbusch's seminal book Space Adventure Collectables and was reminded that Captain Lazer had another life beyond 1967.

Mattel upcycled the blue Captain ten years later.

He stepped into the Mattel dream machine and came out in 1978 as the Seventies style icon Colonial Warrior and the Darth Vader wannabe Cylon Centurion.

Complete with chirruping back pack, disco chest plate, flashing eyes and lazer hand stump, these cool dudes were part of Mattel's Battlestar Galactica line and a bid presumably to save money on moulds. Get the Captain out I hear them shout!

It makes sense to go for the big guy. His Doctor Spock looks were enough to get him noticed, never mind his toned galactic physique. He was standing blue and tall decades before Doctor Manhattan too.

So, having been a big fan of the blue man in his first incarnation back in '67 I can't help but wonder whether those fine accessories I loved so much - proto-light sabre, glam rock boots, purple bed-table shield and Achilles' space helmet - would fit the new Captains from the Seventies?

The '67 helmet fitting the '78 Cylon Centurion maybe academic anyway as his chromed robo headpiece may not even come off! This is something I just don't know.

I'd love to see a mash up of the three Captains. What Marvel and DC would call a crossover where the Mattel universes of Major Mat Mason and Battlestar Galactica jam together like a supergroup.

Maybe the Colonial Warrior cruising in the Firebolt Laser Canon, maybe Callisto gun-stringing a Cylon Centurion and just maybe all three Captains staring each other out.

Does anyone have all three figures?

A LOOK AT THE JOE 90 EXPLOSIVE TRUCK

In response to Woodsy's  comment on my previous Joe 90  Konami photos,  here's a supplementary post on  the Explosives Truck as seen principally in the episode, Colonel McClaine .

photo: ITV Studios

The Explosives truck, the precursor to the Shado Mobile was designed by Mike Trim, and was used in the story to transport the highly unstable explosive U114 , over 200 miles of dangerous terrain.  

Above, Mike Trim's original design drawing, and below David Sisson's scatchbuilt model of Truck 61 which was the one driven by Joe in the episode.

The  Truck did turn up in two other Joe 90 episodes. Here it is 'Breakout', sporting a red paint job.

Photo: ITV Studios
It also appeared briefly in ' The Race', painted in khaki.

Photo: ITV Studios
 It also made another brief appearance in The Secret Service episode, 'School for Spies'.
According to David Sisson's article on the Big Rat website, although it's numbered 61, it's actually Truck 59 re-numbered, as it was used by the second SFX unit during filming of Colonel McClaine to complete the schedule on time.

Photo: ITV Studios
Apart from the Konami toy there were also kits produced by Tamiya. Although it's generally  referred to as the Explosives Truck, or Truck in the episode , the kit is titled U59 'Wild Cat'.

Tamiya also did a model of the U87 from the Joe 90 episode , 'The Race', which was titled U87 'Stronger'.

Photo: ITV Studios

The U87 also briefly appeared in The Secret Service episode 'School for Spies'.

Photo: ITV Studios

Woodsy suggested  Truck 59 would make a good die-cast toy, well he's right about that, although sadly that's not happened. There is a  die-cast model that's similar looking to Truck 59, called the  K2004 Rocket Striker, which is part of the Matchbox 2000 range which appeared in 1977.