Woodsy,
I got around to photographing the recently acquired Century 21 Project SWORD Apollo Saturn Rocket and it is a beauty!
The seller didn't lead me to expect much based on the photos and description, but to my surprise the rocket was complete and in working order!
It even came with two extra front red fins, and you've already seen the Project SWORD Manual that came with it. The plastic has yellowed with age but that's common with vintage toys.
As well, the box has seen better days, but it is 96% intact. It takes two 'D'-cell batteries and runs forward and reverse, and the lights blink as they should.
Overall, I'm stoked!
From Vegas SWORD Base
Ed
Is this a flying model? I'm curious about the parachute.
ReplyDeleteNope - its too heavy to fly. The chute is attached to a capsule that can be ejected from the nose cone.
DeleteCorrect. The capsule is spring-loaded and you place it over the plunger, push it down, and lock it in place. Then you fold the chute up and place it on top of the capsule. The red nosecone then gets placed on top and there is a button on the side of the rocket which, when depressed, fires off the capsule. The rocket goes forward and reverse on a flat surface.
DeleteThat is a really stunning toy. Imagine finding that under the Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely the highlight of my space toy collection!
DeleteGreat find, Ed! That little chromed astronaut puts it nicely into scale.
ReplyDeleteThanx Arto! What surprised me is that, after putting it on 'watch' for several weeks, no one else chomped at the bit!
DeleteI think I prefer it yellow.
ReplyDeleteGives it a sort of Dan Dare quality.
Up close and personal, it's actually a cream color which is quite common for white plastics to turn to. Unfortunately my camera is color blind and doesn't do a good job of registering colors correctly.
DeleteGood lord, that is simply gorgeous! Much, much cooler than the prototype! SFZ
ReplyDeleteMany Thanx SFZ, it is an absolute marvel of the vintage space toy age.
DeleteI have the Tomy version, which is a little larger and more colourful. It has a mechanism to somehow produce 'smoke' from the engines - sadly now defunct. A classic rocket design though. Bill
ReplyDeleteNow THAT would be cool to have Bill! I personally I'm not TOO worried if all the features of a toy don't work as long as it displays well, but this one hit all the right notes!
DeleteThere are four versions of this rocket. Two Japanese Tomys, One British Century 21 and one American Sears. All beautifully boxed and looking fantastic. They've graced the blog for many years and yours Ed is a really great example of the UK version. Good find Mr. Berg!
ReplyDeleteMany Thanx Woodsy! It's good to know this is the UK version as my Project SWORD collection is small and I'm still learning the ropes.
DeleteThe Moon Prospector and Moon Bus are probably the easiest to find Ed. And the Space Glider. UK C21 or American Tarheel.
DeleteWoodsy, Ed here. Google is playing games with me and says I need to sign in to make a comment - I AM SIGNED IN arrrrgh! Anywho, I do have a boxed C21 Moon Prospector and a bunch of Tarheel pieces. The collection is growing ever so slowly.
ReplyDeleteThe real Apollo
ReplyDeletehttps://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oE0uxAwD9p0