Whilst not exactly vintage, this lovely 1978 Mattel Astro Blast set has a definite space age feel to it. Just arrived today in a big, typically Mattel cardboard box, even the graphics have a look of Major Matt Mason about them.
Essentially, Astro Blast is a variation on the air powered rocket. The central tank is an air reservoir, pumped up by the grey piston. The orange gantry can then be inclined - the black gauge on the side giving an approximation of angle - or left straight up for a take off into the stratosphere. Pulling back on the black release sends the pneumatic power blasting into the pad and shoots the foamcore rocket up into the heavens. At least that's what should happen! So far I have got one rocket to hop a couple of inches into the air, even after furious pumping. So I suspect there may be a leaky gasket somewhere, in need of a little tlc. Still for 99p, I am not about to complain, especially as it is so well made and thought out. One of the foam missiles is missing, but everything else looks almost new. Watch this space folks!
I miss those Mattel graphics, with the gouache painted front panels and the two colour line drawings on the back! Today's Photoshopped "paintings" just don't have the same sense of urgency that those old brushstrokes did!
ReplyDeleteMattel packaging in the sixties is some of my favourite. The magic marker style visuals in the Hot Wheels packaging and the gouached box covers was fabulously iconic
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