MOONBASE CENTRAL

Sunday, 28 June 2026

The Convair XFY Pogo in Brian's World

Hello Paul,

My Convair XFY Pogo in 1/72 scale perversely landed on the roof of East Winchley Station when the RAF decided to test ths aircraft for British use.

In Brian's World it was decided that the P1127 Jump Jet would be more useful.

Brian B

USA

Arto's Specstacular Bat Specs

Arto recently found these ace Bat Specs and kindly sent me a pic.

I so remember them as a kid. Hard plastic with an actual bat's face on top!

So cool! I wonder if they came with a costume?

Did you have Bat Specs?

Do you wear normal specs like me? I have since age 11!

Saturday, 27 June 2026

A VISIT TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM

Some photos I took during a flying visit to the London Science Museum this week.

I've visited the Museum many times over the years, but as I had an hour to kill I thought I'd check it out once more.

There's a few new space related exhibits as well as a few old favourites. A small selection of Star Trek props and models celebrating Trek's 60 years have been added.

There's a free flyer which folds out into a small poster which gives the locations of the various props dotted around the museum.

There's a replica of the Blue Origin 'New Shepherd' capsule.

It's a bit cramped in there, but those who can afford it or get an invite for that brief moment of weightlessness I guess it's worth it!

The solid looking, tried and tested Russian Soyuz capsule.

If found, instructions to get the astronaut out!

The capsule control panel.

The larger Apollo 10 capsule.

The Apollo control panel.

The Saturn V third stage engine bell.

Moon Rock!

Sadly, that's all I had time to photograph. Now, I've got to fly!

Rob's Convair XFY Pogo Model

Woodsy,

Here is the latest model off the work bench - the Convair XFY Pogo.

In an ongoing effort to solve the problem of long runways for aircraft take-off, Convair made a prototype of a Vertical Take-Off craft in 1954, the XFY Pogo, which was marginally successful, but the U.S. military decided to cancel the project.

Lindberg Models made a lovely 1/48 scale model of the Pogo in 1958, and Atlantis Models reissued this iconic kit in 2025.

A very “Sci-Fi” design, and fun to build. Gotta love those twin propellers!

Rob C

USA

Friday, 26 June 2026

3D lenticular Space Postcard

I used to often look at Modern Fred's Flickr stream years ago. Just found him on Pinterest and as usual he's got some great images.

I love this lenticular card. Would you say those are GI Joe's? Is the spacecraft a model kit?

https://es.pinterest.com/pin/140315344626928223/

There are more postcards to see. I'm not signed up for full Pinterest but you might be.

Kevin's Original and Scratchbuilt Ray Guns

Here are some of my ray guns, starting with the toys, the two originals (Star Cops and Doctor Who), then some that I've made.

Take aim,

Kevin

Thursday, 25 June 2026

HONG KONG RACK TOYS - UNLICENSED TO KILL by Tony K

I recently stumbled across two fantastic plastic knock off carded rack toys.

I immediately recognised the 'Sea Explorer' duo from my own childhood summertime inflatable paddling pool days. I think around the late '60s - early '70s.

The card art is simple and colourful, packed with the promise of underwater adventure and excitement. The illustrated character with the tuxedo and bow tie needs no intro. The futuristic plastic underwater craft offer a shamelessly unlicensed nod towards 'Thunderball'. The generic plastic frogman were familiar favourites often found in an assortment of HK rack toys from the era. A paddling pool of warm summer water and imagination set the scene.

Once, cheerfully cheap and very disposable, these vintage gems are now very difficult to find. I had endless fun with rack toys as a kid and perhaps appreciate them even more now, when I think back to the fun and value for money they provided.

Tony K

Memories of the 1970 Mexico World Cup

I'm not a football fan at all, but the World Cup always gives me the chance to indulge in my nostalgia for Brazil.

I watched them play bonnie Scotland last night.

The magic was still there. The Brazilian flair that I remember so well from my childhood, because when I was 9 I saw perhaps the greatest football team ever re-invent what we then called soccer into what we now call the beautiful game. All down to one team.

Brazil.

It was the Mexico World Cup 1970.

I think my folks got their first colour TV for it. I half-recall neighbours being round to see the spectacle too.

And boy, was it one. I can still picture the vibrancy of Brazil's yellow shirts in the blazing Mexican sunshine. I'd never seen sunlight or colour like it. It was as if someone was throwing neon rainbows over the whole thing.

It wasn't just Brazil in colour. It was their sensational style of play. They were simply brilliant. Fluid, graceful, quick. Nothing like the drab matches my old Dad sat through on the old, albeit, black and white TV. Someone had switched the sun on and set the style dial to max!

I was mesmerized by that team.

But more than this, for me at least, it was the Brazilian players' names that have stayed with me the longest. I'm 65 now and can still recite most of them I reckon.

Here's but a few:

Tostao, Jazhninio, Rivelino, Albert and of course, Pele.

It was as if they had but one name, not two like us boring Brits. And many ended in io like Jazhinio. Exotic was not the word.

There was one that didn't sound like the rest I remember, so I had to look it up last night.

Gerçon.

Of course!

Yep, Brazil, Mexico World Cup 1970. It was a wonderful childhood experience and watching the modern team retrieved a little bit of that Seventies magic for me.

No collectables. Just memories.

Did you see the 1970 Mexico World Cup?

🇧🇷

Starfire!

I'm not a gamer so I'm unfamiliar with Starfire, but I love the tubular design of the spacecraft. It's really unusual. There's an echo of later Gerry Anderson I reckon.

Is this a design you know or maybe you've played Starfire?