HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM MOONBASE

HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS FROM MOONBASE CENTRAL.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND ENTHUSIASM THIS YEAR AND I HOPE YOU COME ON BOARD FOR 2019.

GOOD LUCK AND SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

WOODSY

ITS GODZILLA TIME! IT'S NEARLY 2019!

As 2018 fades, I'm getting all excited about next year's Godzilla: King of the Monsters movie.

Judging by the two trailers on YT I can't wait to see the whole film.

Here at Moonbase toy Godzillas are running amok!

Are your Godzillas misbehaving?

Happy New Year to come readers!

Good Luck and see you in tomorrow's bright new future.

NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM PAUL V

Also hope you'll have a good night to end this year and start the next!

All the very best

Paul V

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SCOOP

As it's about time I got ready to join all the would be revellers at my local pub, The legendary Richmond , I thought it was time to wish all you folk out there who've taken the trouble to look at my posts, hopefully enjoyed them and maybe even commented  a very happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year.

The same, of course goes to those who didn't but might do next year.

Whatever your plans are in bringing in the New year, enjoy it, be safe and all the best for 2019

Regards 
Mike aka Scoop

HOLDRAKETA ROCKET PISTOL

Saw this on an auction site. I thought the rocket backing art was unusual.

It appears to be an illustration of what I call the holdraketa I call it this as it was one of the first collectables I got as an adult collector. I picked one up boxed at an evening toy fair. It was tinplate and from Hungary. The tin nose spike triggered a spring -loaded lever, which raised the rocket upright and a small ladder flopped down. Pretty neat all round.

The small grey plastic rockets are small replicas of my holdraketa as well.

The rocket pistol was made by Jean of West Germany.

Here's my tinplate silver holdraketa stood up next to my SWORD annual in my old collection.

Do you have one?

What's their origin?

FAB UFO MODELS REVISITED

As some of my end of the year convention reminisces are proving reasonable popular with some of you, here's a second look at  some of the models relating to the UFO series seen at Fab Worlds of Anderson this year.

Two of the models displayed were used in the actual series.  Here we have the surviving large SKY  1 model, which, although showing a few signs of age, still looks pretty impressive.

This is one of only two known surviving UFO’s from the series. This would have been used for distance shots and to create forced perspective with the larger, more detailed models.

This is a studio scale replica of a S.H.A.D.O. Moonbase  Ground Defence Vehicle, built by Paul Gray.

A studio scale replica of a S.H.A.D.O. Interceptor, built by David Sisson.

A large five foot long Skydiver submarine, built by Studio 2 Models.

A studio scale replica of the large SKY 1, built by R James Ashton. 

Finally, this replica built by Paul Gray, of the highly detailed antenna tracking array which I believe first appeared in the Secret Service episode, 'Hole in One', and went on to make a couple of appearances in UFO.

ANOTHER LOOK AT BLAKE'S 7 ORIGINAL COSTUMES DISPLAY

My final look back at the Smallspace Blake's 7 display is also by way of a small tribute to the late, and much missed Jacqueline Pearce, whom we sadly lost this year.

Here's some of the original costumes on display, including a couple worn by the Supreme Commander herself.

Only Jacks could get away with wearing this and still look sexy.

Another Servalan number. Not the most practical outfit when the Supreme Commander occasionally found herself stranded on some hostile alien planet, especially when wearing high heels.

Above: Coser's outfit as worn by John Bennett in 'Weapon'.

Above: Avon's screen used Scorpio Flight-suit.

Above: Another Avon outfit as worn by Paul Darrow in 'Assassin', 'Games', 'Sand' and 'Gold'.

Above: Toron's jacket as worn by Richard Clifford in the episode, 'Terminal'.

Above: Kommissar outfit , as worn by William Sqiure in the episode, 'Horizon'.

Deeta Tarrent's outfit as worn by Steven Pacey in the episode, 'Deathwatch'.

Thanks go to the folks who kindly displayed them, and who helpfully provided handy description cards.

BLAKE'S 7 LIBERATOR ORIGINAL PROP REVISITED

Another look at what’s left of the original larger prop of the Liberator that was on display at Smallspace this year. Although age hasn’t been kind to it, its general appearance has a lot to do with the last third season episode it appeared in, Terminal.

In the story the Liberator flies through a fluid cloud as it heads towards the artificial planet of Terminal. The particles in the cloud begin to eat through the ship to a point when it finally disintegrates.

As this was originally intended to be the last episode in the series, the prop was covered in goo and given a heavily distressed appearance, and that’s the look that remains.

Over the years it’s obviously had more than a few knocks, with panels chipped or missing, and the rear sphere looks like it’s been partly crushed.   But, at least it still exists.

 The production designer, Roger Murray Leach, who came up with the design of the Liberator, as well as the Liberator’s control room was also at Smallspace to answer questions and do signings.

Unsurprisingly, there was no shortage of excellent scratch built fan- made Liberator models of various sizes at the event.

Even Michael Keating who played former Liberator crew member, Villa in the series came along much to do some signings much to the delight of Blakes 7 fans.

ORIGINAL BLAKE'S 7 SPACECRAFT PROPS REVISITED

Before the year closes, here's another look at the original spacecraft props that were on display at this year's Smallspace 7. I know the original post proved popular with Blake's 7 fans , and I should say many thanks to Andy Spencer, Phil Stevens, Gary Holland, Mat Irvine,  Paul Fitzmaurice, Mike Tucker, Andrew Hopkinson and 'Clanger Too' AKA Karyn who put together this excellent display to celebrate Blake's 40th anniversary . They were all good, but if I had to chose a favourite it would have to be this original Federation Pursuit ship seen in various episodes.

Orbit Shuttle seen in season four episode 11,Orbit. The shuttle is sent to transport Avon and Villa to the surface of the planet Malodar. They meet with Egrorian, a scientist who’s developed a powerful weapon called a Tachyon Funnel.  He says he wants to give Avon the weapon in exchange for super -computer, Orac, but Avon soon suspects a certain Supreme Commander is involved.

System Chase Craft seen in episode 1 of the second series.  Redemption. They attack and take control of The Liberator, escorting it to the’ Spaceworld’ space station, which is run by the servants of The System. It is revealed that the System complexes originally built The Liberator and refer to it as Deep Space Vehicle 2. 

  

Andromedan scout craft seen in the episode, Star One.  The Scout Craft makes a very brief appearance in Star One. It carries the former Federation officer, Travis, who has turned traitor, and is helping Andromedan invaders take over the Terran Empire. Even though you’d never tell on screen, most Blake’s Seven fans now know that the model is made from two Morphy Richards hairdryers stuck together, with a few recognisable kit parts stuck on.

Atlay Shuttle seen in the episode, ’Voice from the Past. The model featured in a rather elaborate, if slightly wobbly landing sequence.

Blake’s Flyer seen in season four final episode Blake. These flyers are used by bounty hunters and gun runners on the planet of Gauda Prime. The model is missing its cockpit cover.

The Nova Queen first seen in the episode, Star One.  The ill-fated Nova Queen Space liner carried 4000 passengers and through a computer malfunction collided with an un-manned Ore Carrier killing everyone on board. The Federation suspect that the powerful Star One complex is at fault. Little do they know that Star One has been infiltrated by alien invaders.

A surviving Vac-Formed Federation Pursuit Ship used for special effects explosions.

Ore Carrier seen in the episode Star One. This is the un-manned Ore Carrier which collides with the Nova Queen Space liner.

Space-Master from the episode, Orac.  The Space Master series 5 carried two crew members, and was sabotaged by the Federation. One of the crew members was the son of Ensor, the creator of super computer Orac  .

Wanderer Class from the episode Killer. Blake’s tells Jenna that these ships were the first Earth ships to reach deep space, and is hundreds of years old. It has the designation K47, and had a three man crew.  It also carries a deadly plague.

One of two Escape Capsules ejected from the Space Master ship as seen in ‘Orac’.