THE SPACE SQUIRT!

This has to be one of the oddest names for a lunar surface vehicle I've seen, the Space Squirt!

By Sterling Models, I can't see NASA adopting the word Squirt any time soon!

One I saw on an old auction, maybe its a kit that you know readers, for beginners or experts as it says.

I'm not entirely sure what kind of vehicle it is. You? A hovercraft?

RAISING THE ROOF: MACHINE COP GETS UGLY

 

Ah, Machine Cop! Perhaps the ugliest space toy ever made! Half car half robot, its got everything going from Planet Cheapo.

Is it something you'd want under the tree readers?

Strange Old Toys

There were some really strange toys around in the States in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. So strange that I've always been fascinated by them. You might even think them ugly. Did you have anything like these or any other strange toys?

First up is Vincent Price's Shrunken Head set! You could dry out apples and attach hair and key chains. I didn't have one but oh I wish I had! A classic from the late monster craze.

Next up and the first in an atomic theme is this incredible Atomic Reactor with battery. Made by Marx Linemar it involved heat, steam, a battery and fuel tablets. Not sure where atomics came in. My Mums Prestige pressure cooker was probably more dangerous. You can read all about Marx's reactor here

https://www.atomictourism.us/2019/12/24/atomic-reactor-steam-plant/

Gilbert got there Atomic Energy Lab in first though, in 1950. Just 5000 were sold. With it cloud chamber and uranium ores the set allowed kids to see alpha particles collide. Not a great seller but what a toy! I'd have blown my room up! 

You can read more on Wiki 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_U-238_Atomic_Energy_Laboratory

Dark Shadows has always been on my bucket list of shows I missed and want to watch. One of the odder playthings to emerge from it in 1970 was Josette's Music Box. I've listened to the tune and can imagine it giving young kids the creeps to be honest. Still, a fabulous bit of Dark Shadows kit and I for one would have loved it! 

Back to atom splitting, this Lone Ranger Atom Bomb  toy ring is from the 1940s and maybe the first toy to dabble in nuclear physics.

On my target list for my collection, I'm unlikely to ever own this beautiful oddity.

The 'bomb' on top allowed kids to peer through a spy hole to gawp at the thrilling mysteries of polonium.

You can find out more - if you can take it - here:

https://www.orau.org/health-physics-museum/collection/spinthariscopes/lone-ranger-atom-bomb-ring-spinthariscope.html

Perhaps my favourite odd toy is Horsman's Self Propelled Action Bed, released on the success of the film Bedknobs and Broomsticks.

The bed had mystery non-fall action and came with a doll which was supposed to look like Angela Lansbury but didn't. A strange item for a toy don't you think? 

Beneath the bed lay the battery case, motor and non-fall device.

I wonder if the Action bed sold well?

Oddly enough, I'd love one. You?

Which strange toys have you come across?

SPACE STAR: IT COULD GIVE YOU A HEADACHE!

 

Its chunky, its bulging, its the Space Star!

As iridescent as a peacock, this bad boy is determined to be seen!

You Like?

YELLOW PERIL

I saw this concoction on auction earlier in the year and you know, I quite like it. Its like a yellow Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robot commandeering a Starcom spacecraft!

Is it ugly? I dunno. You?

Would you want one for Christmas?

It's a Harley!

This is new to Moonbase, the Ways Explorer to Harley Comet. I assume this is refering to Haley's comet. 

It looks great but strange, like a car part. It's a type of gyroscope and a first for me. This was on eBay, like many firsts.

ERTL'S 1985 DROID-X-PLOR CAR

This looked cool and unusual on the Bay and a new one on me.

ERTL's Action Packed DROID-X-PLOR - a rather clumsy name if I may say so - nut a smart looking space toy.

Apparently the figure is exclusive to this toy.

What do you think readers?

Is it ugly or lovely?

IN SPACE WE WILL PLAY BADMINTON!

 This old space toy caught my eye.

Thankfully not literally but online.

The Space Vehicle Launcher.

Its essentially a catapult of sorts and a ....

.... shuttlecock!

Talk about recycling!

The blurb mentions a loud bang. How was that created? I can't see any caps.

Can you imagine a game of Badminton with two of these! ha ha

Do you like this toy readers?

THE BLING FROM ANOTHER WORLD: K'S FLYING SAUCER

 

Some times you wonder what toy designers were doing the night before they went to work.

K's Flying Saucer has to be result of a baroque bender in bars near Versailles!

Like a space gateau, its a saucer-full full of gold looking for a Chateau.

Unbelievably the box says CAUTION: Not Recommended for Children!

So who is it for?

What do you think of it?

WORLD CLASSIC ATTACKER

 

This plastic space fighter caught my eye. From the 1990's its a full-on amalgam of US military hardware blitzed with a Star Wars X-Wing. Or what do you think?

I imagine toys like this are still around in dusty corners of old fancy goods stores around the world.

Have you got anything like it readers?

SPACE SHUTTLERS: BUT WHAT ARE THEY?

These toys are so odd, Space Shuttlers, the First Mechanical Toys in Space by Tomy 1985. Above is Rat Stuff, the pop over mouse. 

Strangely, it says Rat Stuff is an exact replica of their first one. Surely that would make Rat Stuff second?

There are three in this range and I have no idea what they do!

You?

GEMTOYS LIGHT-UP LASER CHARIOT

Gemtoys released this Laser Chariot in the 80's. When I saw it online I had thought it was a sort of Micronauts knockoff but the figure's too big. 

It's not a bad design, would a Micronauts action figure fit on there readers? Do you like it? It lights up too. Just noticed that it's chipped too, microchipped!

SILVER MACHINE

 

This spaceship 1241 is rather neat.

Old fantasy mags are a brilliant source of vintage space tech.

Do you like this ship?

PS.

Hong Da released this plastic spaceship, which superficially looks like the 1241.

THE SPACE RUNNING CREATURE

I have never seen this toy before, the Space Running Creature. It looks like a fishing rod reel! 

The auction description mentioned Devoto Toys so I assume they were the manufacturer.

Is this a toy you know?

FANCY PISTON BOOTS

This made me chuckle. Fancy Piston Boots! ha ha.

Now that's a toy!

Its a jogging car with bump and go action and appears to be driven by Pennywise the clown! To top it off you have Mercury's cap!

I want one! Do you?

ARE YOU A HAP P KID?

I posted this before, the Hap P Kid space ship, back in 2014.

Its a right 1997 frankenstein where they've thrown a bit of everything in!

Its a Thunderbird 5 - USS Enterprise lovechild!

But what is going on in the dome?

Here's one boxed. You got one of these beasts?

SON AL GUARDIAN RIDER: RODEO NASTY?

 

This Guardian Rider by Son Al Toys is a hotch-potch of styles and origins I reckon, a classic cheapo mash-up but fascinating nonetheless.

From the box art it looks like there was a spider - this one - and horse and a robot too.

What do think readers? What are its origins? Is it ugly? Ideal for Xmas?

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

 

To infinity and beyond!

AN INTERESTING TOY? MAYBE NOT!

 

I saw this online - not sure which country it is - and thought Good God! Is that what I think it is!

If not, what the hell is it?

An interesting toy? What do you think readers?

BLAKE'S 7 ATTACK SHIPS ATTACK MY BRAIN

I'm seeing Guada - or is it Gauda? - attack ships all over the place now! Even when they aren't Gauda at all!

Here's another sci-fi mash-up, Space Ship King. Star Trek meets what?

It came in different colours!

What do you think?