After offloading all my Action Man odds and sods onto Woodsy, to accommodate his latest obsession, he very kindly returned the favour with this gorgeous Showa era japanese candy premium. Thanks to the wonders of Google, the larger text reads 'Space Exploration Apollo Programme' and the model is a small representation of the Saturn V on a small gantry.
As you can see from the back of the box, the model fits together in a puzzle fashion, with pieces interlocking on the gantry and rocket and held in place by twisting a central column, which locks it into place. its made from hard solid plastic pieces and the box even features some cool period graphics on the inside too.
It straight away put me in mind of the 1970's Kellogg's Sugar Smacks cereal promotion for 'Space Age' models.
The diminutive size of the models means they are hard to find intact, but they occasionally appear still mint in packet. My favourites were always the Rocket Transporter and the Rocket Car (which we will recognise as the Molab from Spacex).
The Space Station is clearly based on an original NASA design from the early sixties and the series includes a small stylised LEM and Apollo Command Module, which can dock neatly together. Both the LEM and Apollo have tiny crew members behind opening hatches too.
The LEM is tiny and especially delicate, due to its frail legs, here it is next to a small Hot Wheels Action Set Lunar Module from 1998.
Loved these tiny breakfast cereal toys, as a kid, but they broke far too easily.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of tiny models. Thanks for the photos.
ReplyDeleteReally like how you've photographed these, Bill. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteThey are good photos. I'm trying to collect the cereal ones, I'm missing the rocket and launch pad, the LEM ascent stage and the Spectrum helicopter and SPV. They're great little things and I fondly remember them from childhood.
ReplyDeleteIve got a spare back half of the LEM Kevin, but finding the rest might be tricky! Bill
DeleteOoh. Scratchbuilding the front half wouldn't be impossible, I've done worse!
DeleteAnd a great little trade is was too! Glad you like the rocket Bill.
ReplyDeleteAnd then of course much later there's the little solid plastic space set from Weetabix inc. A gantried rocket.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Bill! Now I know where my tiny MOLAB or Moon Exploration Rocket Car came from. That space station looks familiar as well. I'm gonna have to check my odds-&-ends out in The Cave
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