THE GREEN HORNET LIVES!

 Junior gave his new Green Hornet Black Beauty the Sharpie treatment yesterday.

Not finished yet but Kato looks happy!

Groan Hornet

 Fixing up Junior' Green Hornet scrapper, before he colours it in in two weeks, has been as fiddly as Kato's cap.

The scanner and missile ejector mechanisms are groaningly temperamental and may yet spoil it for Junior. They do work now and then and when they do they fly! I just hope they work when he has a bash! 

Still, my part of the job is nearly done now.

I bought some plastic half-jewels for a squid and filed two down for the green headlights. Some of the Missus's red wire made the trim. 

I also re-chromed the grille.

Kato was missing so a small figure was cut to size, cap heat-flattened and painted.

A new windscreen was added using an old polypocket folder.

The Green Hornet was twisted inwards so some pliers dragged him round to the window again. He's lost his gun but that's life.

I just need to glue Kato in now if Bruce will let me! 

He did!

One Good Turn

 Inspired by kind Timmy Toad's comprehensive photos, and playing to my strengths, I scratch-built the missing parts to the C21 Tank last night.

I left the motor/ wiring for another day when I get more (any) powers! 

The missing parts where all connected to the bridge winder and supports; a steering wheel and three rods. These allow the bridge to be 'steered' off the tank's turret and onto the ground. Timmy's photos made that clear to me for the very first time so thanks TT!

I raided the bits boxes and found these bits.

A few snips later and a steering wheel of sorts.

This old drumstick made for a perfect brace rod.

Some glue and paint and I ended up with this passable turning wheel.

The tank was ready to build bridges anywhere. 

Any good?

Next stop, Madison County!

TANKS A LOT TIMMY TOAD!

Reader Timmy Toad has come to the rescue! Actually, Timmy came to the rescue in 2021, the last time I got my Mobile Bridge tank out but I must have been asleep. Fortunately, three years later and my tank out again, I found Timmy's emails and pictures in my Gmail archive, which I will post here. So a big belated thank you Timmy!

"Woodsy,

the wheel goes on the front as shown in the following pics. As you turn it, the bridge lifts off the tank and onto the floor. I guess you put the tank into reverse to lay the bridge, then remove the rod holding bridge to tank. As you can see my rod is broken. I think its meant to be about twice as long with a stop and ball at one end. I've given the cogs a twirl to turn the motor, and checked continuity with a multimeter. Next job is to put 3V directly to the motor to see if it'll go

Yep that long rod with the ball on the end shown in one of the pics is for attaching the bridge to the tank. I've only got the bottom half of it (so only one side of the bridge is supported by the tank), so need to find something to replace it with (I shall be looking at plastic cocktail swizzle sticks, and other such stirring rods). Alternatively I could cut what I have in half and use a piece at each end (assuming its long enough to go thru both ends with a bit spare to pull back out).

I think once the bridge is in the vertical position you have to manually open it as you continue to turn the wheel to get it horizontal (I'll experiment with that once I get both sides held by the tank).

the wheel goes on the front as shòwn in the following pics. As you turn it, the bridge lifts off the tank and onto the floor. I guess you put the tank into reverse to lay the bridge, then remove the rod holding bridge to tank. As you can see my rod is broken. I think its meant to be about twice as long with a stop and ball at one end. I've given the cogs a twirl to turn the motor, and checked continuity with a multimeter. Next job is to put 3V directly to the motor to see if it'll go.

Regarding yours, you say the motors been taken out. Is that everything including the metal holding structure as well, leaving just the axles?

My fiddling around with the motor in mine has resulted in this short clip...enjoy! Timmy Toad"

HELP! I've Tanked!

OK, I can glue bits together, but for the life of me toy motors and gears have me baffled! I need help! 

Years ago I bought a somewhat embattled Century 21 Toys Mobile Combat and Bridge Tank #507. It's based on a Marx tank body I think. It's not working.

This is what a good one looks like from years ago on MC.

Although I've never seen it in action I think the toy moves along and stops to extend it's huge folding pontoon that's sat on the roof. I'd love mine to work! It doesn't.

Feeling buoyed by my Diver I got the tank out to have a look. It's a mess!

I don't think the double motor unit is from this toy. It's far too big! See what you think.

There is a switch, which I've taken off in a fit of zest. Maybe it has two actions? To start the tank and to lower the bridge? 

Having said that, the box says nothing about it lowering the bridge so maybe it's just for show.

What I really need is a picture of the inside of this toy in it's proper state. Does anyone have one?

Maybe even the inside workings of a Marx battery tank motor assembly? 

Help!

M I R I A M : we Can Rebuild Her

 A while back Miriam arrived.

Her right leg was shattered and both feet were missing, as were her small high heels.

A few weeks later and post-Diver I finished repairing this doll using the shards inside the bag. Besides all the leg bits, they included the feet and shoes as well.

She's not Jamie Summers perfect but once back in the bag she does look better I reckon.

See what you think.

Blues and Royals: Don't Lose Your Head!

 The Blues and Royals project is coming along.

After discovering my current figures head was too big for the helmet I set about transplanting it with a smaller modern Action Man's head.

Heads up! 

The helmet brush bristles plume had nicely glued around a pen top, so I began colouring it.

Using a red Sharpie it came out OK.

A small red pom pom tidied up the messy tip and voila!

It's Operation Sword and scabbard next!

Operation Blues and Royals: A Plume with a View

 I've made some post-holiday progress on the Blues and Royals.

After scalping a miniature Barbie, a complete misfire, I raided the house brush and plucked a few tufts, which I hope will form a decent top helmet plume. More hair work to be done on this and they'll all need reddening.

The metal letter opener sword has been repainted silver and the hand grip has been whitened. A white 'leather' guard has been inserted inside the hilt.

The original scabbard and helmet have been re-chromed.

Bisecting a spare Palitoy belt the scabbard has been given new straps.

More to come including a critical action man head issue.

Coffee first!

Accessories Assemble

 On returning to Moonbase I was chuffed to unwrap the handful of old bits I'd won on eBay to progress Operation Blues and Royals. All are original Action Man, except the metal sword.

They all need checking over and getting to something like Palitoy's final look.

I just need a cuppa and a digestive.

SCREEN IF YOU WANT TO GO FASTER

 I've a few things on the boil at the mo.

Just finished this simple addition to my incomplete TB2 pod JR21 Land Rover, a neat plastic windscreen donated by Wotan Bill during lockdown.

Not an original part but it'll do nicely. At some point I'll paint it red.

Next up is a 1980's Transformers Galvatron spruce-up.