SPACE ATTACK ATE MY THUNDERBIRD!

 When I saw this Space Attack thingy I thought, that monster's eaten Thunderbird 4!

I thought it was the Spanish Comansi TB4 that looks like this one.

These Toy Island Space Attack toys were "the best in electronic sound toys" at the time. I remember the figures being called Voice Raiders. They've featured a few times on MC.

Paul from New Zealand provided more pictures of the line. I think the TB4-like vehicle above in the mouth of the monster is the green one on the left. The exhausts must be movable, they appear retracted in the package here but extended in the monster's mouth.

Anyone got any of these vehicles?

VOICE OVER

I recently purchased this second hand action figure. This fella's from the old Voice Squad toy line by Toy Island 1991.

This chap's called Dragon King and had three button-activated sounds. They didn't really function when I got this example, a croaky voice and crackling noise, but some new batteries and a spray of WD40 on the contacts did the trick. Dragon King was saying Halt Who Goes There confidently once again.

I remember these in the discount shops back in the mid-90's and I've had a couple of loose figures over the years as the button-activated sounds are quite fun and an interesting gimmick.

There are a number of sub-ranges of Toy Island's Voice Squad line such as Pirates and at some point this year MC will run a feature on them all.

Is Voice Squad something you've come across?

Toy Island Yakety Yaks: We Talk Back!

This was a line of six talking 'cute animals' from Toy Island, of Hong Kong. They were clearly aimed at a much younger age group than most of the other talking figures.

Instead of the usual warning note in one corner saying Ages 3 and Up, these say Ages 1 1/2 & Up.

The instructions say Press His Tummy. There were no small and loose accessories, given the age group they were aimed at. They were powered by the usual group of three LR-44 button batteries. These fitted inside a removable battery compartment/voice box unit that was inserted in to the base of the toy. Presumably, this would have been too large for a young child to swallow.

The copyright date on the back of the card is 1992. There is also a note saying Patents Pending. Like the other talking figures from Toy Island, they are Made in China.

The Assortment number is Asst. No.10510, but no individual numbers are visible. Each figure just has a name. It looks as though the figures only had one phrase.

The card back shows the full range of six toys, but there are very few listings for these figures. These are the only ones I could find.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1992-jimmy-yakety-yaks-1820395028

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-1990-toy-island-yakety-yaks-3837296089

Peter - Bunny - Gimme A Kiss !

Danny - Duckling - Let's Play !

Willy - Pig - I'm So Happy !

Sammy - Bear - Gimme A Hug !

Bobo - Puppy - I Love You !

Jimmy - Pink Elephant - Hi, Good Buddy

Two photographs from Worthpoint.

What do you think?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Toy Island's Voice Raiders: Talking Pirates Action Figures

Toy Island Manufacturing Company Limited, of Hong Kong, produced several lines of Talking Figures. Among these was a set of three pirates. The toys themselves being Made in China. The copyright date is 1991.

This time the series name is on the front of the card, while all three figures are shown on the back, along with their names.

Each figure appears to have uttered two phrases, and a gunfire sound. This time the control buttons were on the back of the figure, not on the chest. There was a cut-out in the backing card so you could try out the buttons before buying. This control panel makes the figures look as though they are wearing back-packs.

Again, a screwdriver was needed to open the battery compartment, so the three LR-44 button batteries could be replaced.

Assortment Number Asst No. 31810

31801 Capt. Claw, dressed in dark blue and white, with a tricorn hat. Phrases Dead Men Tell No Tales ! and Ha Ha Ha...!

31802 Red Beard, in striped shirt, orange trousers, and black waistcoat. Phrases Load and Fire ! Aye Aye Captain !...

31803 Evil Eye McGrub, dressed mainly in green, with an eye patch. Phrases Ahoy There Matey ! and Ho Ho Ho...! One listing mentions a gun sound effect.

As with the Monsters, they came 'Dressed for Action in Real Clothes'.

Each figure came with the same selection of three weapons: a rather modern looking rifle; what could be a bayonet; and a samurai sword ? What about a cutlass, blunderbuss, or flintlock pistol ? I assume these were standard items, common to other figures made by the firm.

I did find photos on line of one loose Capt. Claw, with a cutlass and a pistol, but these could be replacement items, and not original to the figure. The listing does not say.

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/voice-raiders-talking-pirates-action-489430619

A You Tube video from The Count's Toy Dungeon, looking at all three figures. The short sword or bayonet is identified as a copy of the sword included with the Mego Planet of the Apes figures. A further three figures, and a playset featuring the deck of a pirate ship with cannon, is also shown. With links to other sites.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEAZCnanvBI

Four photographs, all from Worthpoint.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Toy Island Monsters Talking Figures by Paul Adams

The Toy Island line of talking action figures came up recently - 

here is a bit more information on their Talking Monsters line, which contained just three figures. 

All depicted classic monsters, but they were generic enough to avoid any licencing problems.

The name of each creature appears on the front of the card, with the Monsters name only appearing on the back of the card, along with a photograph of the whole range. The copyright date is 1992. Card size 10.25 x 7 x 2 inches according to what appears to be a trade catalogue for the range.

The figures did not have buttons, the talking mechanism was activated by just touching them. 'Their voices are complete with echoes and sound effects', according to the advertising. It seems each figure had only one phrase.

A screwdriver was required to open the battery compartment, so the batteries, a trio of LR-44 button batteries, could be replaced.

The Assortment Number was Asst. No. 34210.

1. Stock No. 34201 The Vampire Talks - resembles Nosferatu rather than Dracula. Phrase 'I want to bite you'. Studded belt with bat.
2. Stock No. 34202 The Howler Howls - a very dog-like werewolf. Phrase 'Aaaooooo'. Chain and padlock belt.
3. Stock No. 34203 The Zombie Talks - could be Frankenstein's Monster. Phrase 'Help me' - which does not seem very scary. Rope belt with rat.

The figures were 7 inches tall, and came with removeable clothing, a weird plastic belt, and two different weapons. A sword with a bat between the hilt and blade; an axe topped with a skull; and a mace with a spiked head. None are wearing shoes, which shows off their clawed feet.

The address of the Toy Island Manufacturing Company Limited, was 33 Canton Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, but the toys are marked Made in China. These seem to be rare figures, and there are few listings or photographs of them on Worthpoint or Ebay. The Plaid Stallions site says they are most common in England. Universal Monster Army actually says they were exclusive to the UK.

There are a few sites which give further details, and photographs.

Universal Monster Army, an excellent site.

http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/index.php?topic=22735.0

Plaid Stallions, including catalogue pages.

https://plaidstallions.com/reboot/toy-island-monsters/

The Toy Box

http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-howler-vampire-zombie-aka-monsters.html

1993 Toy Island catalogue from Worthpoint

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/toy-island-1993-color-catalog-talking-1820046012

Just three photographs, all from Worthpoint.

Here is a shot of the card rear for the line, showing the full range of three figures. There are very few listings for these figures, and few photographs.

From what Plaid Stallions and Universal Monster Army say these figures are mainly found in Britain, so you probably stand the best chance of finding some examples. I had never even heard of them before your recent post on the Toy Island Talking police figures. But then, I know next to nothing about action figures!

Hope this is useful. Anyone got any?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

STOP OR I'LL TALK

I handled a loose talking policeman the other week.

It was one of the Voice Squad/ Patrol toys from Toy Island 1991.

After handling I put it back on the car boot tarp.

I bought a couple of mint carded examples in the early Nineties for my old toy stall but wish I'd kept a couple for myself now, 'cos I like them!

Looking at the range two questions spring to mind. Are these toys inspired by Hasbro's GI Joe small figure line and are the Voice Squad actually action figures?

Do you recall the Voice Squad?

pic: Dallas Vintage Toys

TALKING COMMAND: HIS FACE CHANGES AS HE TALKS

I was reminded the other day of Video Command. 

They were talking action figures made by Toy Island from 1992.

I remember the pressure cooker helmets they wore.

I bought a few of these carded figures later in the 90's at car boots for my toy stall. I always liked the look of them and the use of video graphic faces, which were in their infancy back then.

Here's a short clip I found on Flickr showing how they chattered https://flic.kr/p/nhQzrL

Do you remember these talking fellas?