The recent revelation that was the American Tarheel Project SWORD dealers catalogue I've been pondering the possible origin of that strange and huge disco ball on a stand to the right.
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More to the point, I've been pondering the spidery base it has and I believe its this... the surface lander baseplate of the Moon Prospector concept shown here in 1961 in Newsweek a cover painted by Jo Kotula. You can just see half of it behind the Prospector.
Here's a much clearer NASA concept drawing, where the baseplate is very distinct, the legs spread out like a spider. NASA called it an Impact Absorber, a device to assist in landing the Prospector - the Roving Vehicle - on the Moon as part of the SURVEYOR programme. It would have made a great toy accessory [anyone care to make one?]
The bendable legs are even clearer in this related 1960 NASA concept, the Stationary Packet, where the Prospector has yet to disengage from the plate and rove.
The bent legs are almost a mirror image of those beneath the big 'disco' ball on the Tarheel SWORD cover above.
I can't ID the Tarheel disco ball and its lollipops but I think this explains their spidery base.
What do you reckon readers?
The structure in the last picture certainly looks similar, turned upside down.
ReplyDeleteFor me and from afar the oddball lollipop holder brings to mind the famous Futuro House, introduced in 1968
https://www.espoo.fi/en/exhibition-centre-weegee/futuro-house#from-skiing-lodge-to-international-fame-49173
Yes Arto! I see what you mean! I was also looking at the Captain Scarlet Mysteron city on Mars for possible globe structures. Maybe the Tarheel artist just made them up!
DeleteI can't speak to the Tarheel disco ball but the base plate concept is interesting. Good investigative work Woodsy
ReplyDeleteThanks Ed. That base plate reminds me of a Sixties wall clock! ha ha
DeleteHmm, we all know that Zero-X is part of the Sword fleet, but I notice Sword is also using ex-Spectrum vehicles for land transport!
ReplyDeleteYep, Tarheel mashed-up the two brands Looey! We just need to find the SWORD SPV now!
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