BAT JAM

Woodsy and Fellow Batnuts!

I do love the various iterations of Batmobiles and have had up to 70 in my collection, but as the latest discussion has pointed out, Mattel just gets totally bonkers with its constant release of 'new' Bat-rides. Anywho, this Monster Jam Batmobile from 2011 is probably the oddest I've ever bought.

From Vegas Bat-Cave

Ed

MOON GLOBES MADE IN JAPAN

Have a look at this British Pathe clip of space fever in 1969 Japan. There's moon globe manufacture, tin space toys, plastic rockets and more. See what you can see and tell us!

https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/214341/

KEV'S SCRATCHBIULT BLAKES 7 STEREO

Hi,

Just completed a scratchbuild of the personal entertainment device seen in some episodes of Blake's 7.

Be fair, it was shot in 1977 (the original, not my replica!)

Kevin

UK

X-50 ON FILM!

Looey's comment that the X-50 appeared at the start of Superthunderstingcar had me googling for it immediately. I've heard lots about the skit but never seen it.

Yep, there it was... the X-50 on the screen! Its not an easy video to see online and the only full version I could find was on Sylvia Anderson's Facebook page, so you may not be able to watch it but, here goes:

https://www.facebook.com/SylviaAnderson.FAB/videos/superthunderstingcar-is-go-pete-dud-not-only-but-also-9th-feb-1966/833374653710148/ [Sylvia Anderson Facebook]

What do you think readers?

ARTO'S AWESOME ACQUISITIONS

Woodsy

Sending you these piccies of my recent antico mondo acquisitions.

First up is the X-50 Space Racer, a rare carded version. The blister is in tatters and the racer is missing its nose spike.



Space Capsule & Flying Saucer set on the other hand is in pretty neat condition. I think the combination here is better than the sum of its parts.

In addition, a couple of HK bin toys I came across on the Cleaning Day last Saturday.

I just love this pair of small Power Squadron speed boats, both the colours and the flower stickers. Anything with a flower on it, and I am sold!

Topo Gigio Circus presents Topo the trapeze artist. These kind of HK toys are quite common, but not too many have survived bagged.

What do you think?

Arto

Helsinki Base

HOTZILLA

There have not been too many new Hot Wheels models lately, but I pounced on this one when I saw it. A Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 in white, with Godzilla markings on the sides.

It has Godzilla himself and claw marks in black, with the Godzilla name in red. The model also has red tail lights, and a black plastic base.

Most Hot Wheels movie related models are in the Showtime sub-series, but this one is part of the J-Imports series instead. It is a 2024 model, but there was also a 2023 version with different markings on the sides in blue, grey, and black.

Upon looking in to this model, it seems that Hot Wheels have done a few Godzilla models over the last few years, including a Character Car (a vehicle in the shape of the character), and a Monster Truck, but this is the first one I have seen.

I am sure these models will disappear very quickly, given the number of monster fans there are out there. If you see one, grab it.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

ROB'S STROMBECKER

Woodsy

All the way from 1958, here is my stab at the Strombecker RM-1 Rocket Ship model, based on the Walt Disney motion picture, “Man in Space.” 

Reissued in 1993 by Glencoe Models as “Retriever Rocket,” I got this copy directly from Nick Argento, who was getting rid of excess inventory about ten years ago, and sold me this kit - minus box and decals - for $10!

A beautiful design, with a streamlined fuselage, seven (count ‘em, seven!) fuel tanks, two glorious radar arrays, and a little one-man exploratory capsule, the RM-1 is sort of a “dream machine” of early rocketry concept vehicles. 

I used random decals, including “SS” markings from the Strombecker/Glencoe Nuclear Space Station I built many moons ago. A couple of tricky spots - that front ring attaching the fuel tanks to the fuselage is too skinny and fragile - but overall a simple and fun build. 

You can even see the ghost of the old “Strombecker” logo on the display stand, but I was not intrepid enough to paint it - leave that to the show-offs on Facebook! 

That weird little silver pod on the bottom of the craft holds a tiny astronaut, shown in detail photos. Looks like a tomb to me - you wouldn’t get me in one!

Rob C

USA

THE REAL DINKY SNORKEL: BILL EV'S 1965 FIRE ENGINE

Hi Woodsy

Here's a photo of a 1965 (I think) Dinky from my collection. My godmother bought my first one in 1968, but this was played with literally to bits.

A couple of years ago I managed to track this identical one down, complete with mint box and leaflet.

We even had a real.one of these at our main fire station. It was absolutely huge!

Bill Ev

UK

PS. Yours looks like the American version.

The Rain... its a Killer!

Like many of you I love Sci-Fi.

But, what can I say about  a show we caught this week on Netflix called The Rain. Well, its a Danish Sci-Fi series about a deadly virus thats in the ...rain! Its a great premise and promised much. Or so I thought.

Seldom have I been so incensed by a TV series opener than this. Within the first few minutes I was shouting at the telly 'how can you be so *ing stupid!' Alas, this was only the beginning and after another half an hour I was hoarse from shouting!

Clearly the writers decided that from the off the two main characters would be called Stupid and Moronic. They make Dumb and Dumber look like geniuses! To add a further layer of sheer annoyingness the two main characters are children, one about 6 and the other ... well, a teenager. Enough said!

Why the writing team had to make the youngster and the adolescent quite so lethally imbecilic I cannot fathom. Within minutes people close to them start dying around them and not because of the viral rain. No, its because of their monumentally selfish decisions. I won't expand on who dies just in case you feel the need to torture yourselves with this ordeal.

Trying to understand my anger towards the two children, especially the teenager, I've come to realise that I don't really like them. Teenagers. The girl in the show is portrayed as incompetent and non-resilient, the epitome of the snowflake generation. But my antipathy seems misplaced. I too was a teenager and no doubt just as selfish and irritating to everyone around me back in the 70's. So why this angry am I? I get equally antsy in McDonalds when the entire outlet is staffed by pubescents. There's just something about them.

I wonder if something is going on with Nature here. After all, I am 63 and retired, officially on the scrap heap of Society. Are OAP's and the teenage generation meant to stay apart, to give each other space to do what needs to be done; The Young carrying the torch, the old, like me, passing it on and basically slowly passing away! Never the twain shall meet [unless you're a teenager's parent or teacher/ teaching assistant like I was for my sins]. 

Yes, I wonder if I'm so peeved by the teenage ineptitude in The Rain because I'm jealous and I want to be an inept teenager again myself?

Evolution theory over, I had to check if I was alone in my outright dislike of this series. After all, I had only watched half of the opening episode and found it so unbearable that I cannot conceive of how there are 3 whole seasons of this dross! Still, this is my personal opinion.

I'm not alone though, thank God. The Rain garners either deep love but mostly intense rage in the many many reviews there are online since it was released in 2020. Some poor souls even watched it all because there was nothing else to do during Lockdown! 

Yes, The Rain is the Marmite of Sci-Fi and I for one can't stand the savoury spread. The Missus put me out of my misery and switched to Travellers, a much more enjoyable and altogether more adult effort.

Rant over.

Have you seen The Rain?

Gone Snorkeling!

 Picked up this lovely die-cast Simon Snorkel fire engine at a boot sale today. One pound. A Yorkshire bargain!

Just a little grime and dust to clean off.

And presto! 

I had a snorkel as a kid in the Sixties.

This one's in such good shape I'm wondering if it's a re-issue?

I remember all the super detailing on this toy as if it was yesterday. The fantastic long shape always stuck in my mind.

I always loved how the cab detached and the trailer was made level with the pull-out stabilisers.

And those cool firemen wearing the big raincoats and blue helmets. How great are they! 

A bit of fun, here's a shocking pink sheen using the cyberpunk filter!

I also picked up a Corvette Hot Wheels. It says 1975 underneath. In my desperation for an old Hottie I didn't see the 2012 until I got home! Ah well, it only cost 40p.

Did you have a Simon Snorkel fire tender as a kid? 

Who was Simon Snorkel?

ED'S MOON BUGGIES

Woodsy,

Here's the few larger scale buggies I have: TAT Hong Kong T-21 Flip-Over Car in red and silver/gray; Hover (Hong Kong) Space Explorer 1; Marx Moon Grabber

BTW, I did fix that red TAT but never got around to taking photos of it.

From Vegas Base

Ed

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

Being a fan of disaster movies old and new I watched, with the Missus, Leave The World Behind, yesterday. 

Basically a cybergeddon scenario it stars Ethan Hawk, Julia Roberts and Kevin Bacon [Kev's not on even the poster!] - all getting on in years - dealing with things falling apart.

There are hints of 2012's The Wall and 2009's 2012. The whole tone is one of urban indifference and skepticism and has a Donnie Darko - American Beauty out of body feel to it.

It taps into that ever-present Western angst that we are surrounded by foes capable of sparking chaos at anytime.

Have you seen Leave the World Behind? Whats your favourite disaster film?

S E A S T A R 5 UPDATE

Hi Woodsy

Just letting you know that my Children's sci-fi ComicBook Series "SEASTAR 5 INVADERS FROM THE ABYSS" has moved forward a bit in the last six months....I have been busy....

The first comicbook on the Amazon Kindle platform as a digital download , also available now as a paperback illustrated printed edition in the Amazon store...UK and USA....and others...

The full supermation comicbook edition can be purchased at comicbook stores in Lancashire England at Lancaster , Preston , Blackburn....together with book store "storytellers inc. " St.Annes on Sea .

The second book in the series is in production now with a release in late summer this year....to be followed by book three in the winter....

We are also on Twitter and Instagram , Facebook social media platforms...

The series is starting to get attention....some new images from the series attached for your readers to see....

Will keep you posted on my progress....my new format of supermation retroart images....a combined photo-art , drawn characters with realistic photon art backgrounds is beginning to be accepted in a number of areas....will see how far I can push the style....

Regards Richard Dixon 

TPD STUDIOS Lancashire 

UK

HOT WHEELS WHITE BATMOBILE 2023 ISSUE

Batman might prefer his Batmobiles in black, but Hot Wheels like a little variety. The latest version of the 1989 movie car is white, with black tampo-printed stripes, clear purple windows, and purple wheel rims.

This is a tie-in model for the recent DC Superhero movie The Flash, with the movie title in the upper left hand corner of the card. Although it seems the car in the film is the usual Batmobile black.

The model is part of the 2023 Batman sub-series. It has a black-painted metal baseplate, with the copyright dates "2004, '17" cast-in, and a white plastic body. Made in Malaysia.

The 1989 movie car is also available in dark grey with orange stripes, but this does not have The Flash on the card.

Paul Adams from New Zealand