Cocktail Man

 Whenever I see cocktail swords I think of Action Man! 

Stuff like the gorgeous dress uniforms.

Will they fit in his hands? 

Have you any household items that would look good with Action Man or GI Joe readers? 

OUT TO LUNCH: 2

 Some photos of my Space:1999 tin lunchbox, produced by King-Seeley Thermos Co in 1975.

I love the artwork on these tin lunchboxes, which in this case features elements from various first season episodes.

This obviously depicts the monster in 'Dragon's Domain', although thankfully, Helena was never a victim. Unlike the UFO lunch box this features photos of the two main stars.

A formation of Eagle Transporters lurking under the carry-handle.

A scene prior to 'Breakaway'.

A scene showing Koenig explaining to Victor Bergman why he's always right! Sandra Benes and David Kano in the background.

A rescue Eagle and the Kaldorian spacecraft from 'Earthbound'.

Sadly, I don't have the Thermos flask which would normally fit inside and  accompany these tin boxes. However, here's an example showing an illustration of an Eagle flying over Moonbase Alpha.

Superman's not Losing Fans*

🦸🦸

I recently read that Grandparenting is not about reliving our youth, but I reckon some of it is. 

There's a huge joy to be found in showing grandkids stuff we used to do and watch from our younger days. Oftentimes, they'll like it too.

My Grandson, MoonBase Junior, loves Superman. I'm unsure when he first came across Supe but being on his way to 9 he's grown up with him, so it's a real pleasure to watch some Superman together.

Yesterday we chose Superman The Movie, the first of the Christopher Reeves films. 

From 1978, a year after Star Wars, Chris's man of steel is just superb. I was 17 when it first aired and loved it from the get-go, true late Seventies bubblegum to chew and chew.

The movie is interesting to follow, great to look at - Supe flies! -  and its not that violent, which means Junior gets to see it. 

There's lots for modern kids to enjoy too. Lois Lane charging round, Clark's bumbling, Supe changing in a revolving door, Jimmy Olsen getting snapped at by the editor and of course Lex Luthor, the 'greatest criminal mind of the century'. 

Gene Hackman does a fab job bringing out the humour in big-headed Lex, as does his beautiful assistant and gormless goon. Junior loves how he's always accompanied by a daft deep tuba sound!

Which brings us neatly to the music. John Williams's score is simply fantastic, a masterpiece, the highlight being of course the famous duh derder, which compels just about any kid (and grown-ups!) to outstretch their arm Superman style! And yep, Junior and me did it together many times during the film. Priceless.

Who says Grandparenting isn't about reliving your youth! 

Now's where's my cape!

Is this a film you like readers? Any grandparents seen it?

*Play on a line from PFM's Chocolate Kings.

OUT TO LUNCH: 1

 Some photos of my UFO tin lunch box, made by King-Seeley Thermos Co. which would have appeared in 1973.

These tins had some lovely nostalgic artwork featuring scenes from Gerry & Sylvia Anderson's TV series.

A familiar scene showing Comr. Straker in SHADO H.Q.

Based on the large Interceptor model publicity photo.

The tilt-rotor aircraft, seen in 'Ordeal', above a Mobile.

Lunar astronauts hidden behind the carry-handle.

A mish-mash of a Skydiver operative, possibly Nina Barry, and Paul Foster in his Moonbase outfit.Correction:  It's actually Skydiver operative,  Sylvia Howell (Georgina Moon) : thanks to eagle-eyed, Martin G. who put me right on that.

The lunch box always comes with a small flash nside,  which is usually the first thing that gets broken or lost.

Will's Boys Own

Hi Woodsy

Still clearing mum’s house, found some old Boys Own’s . Thought the covers on these ones were nice. 

Anyone got any others?

Will O.

GEM TV21 PEN SET

I imagine this super looking set is as rare as hen's teeth.

A set of felt tips and a TV21 colouring book, with cover art by Ron Embleton. 
I remember seeing them being advertised in TV21, but I can't say I ever saw an example in real life. 

Blast from the Past

 Here’s a blast from the past. While clearing out my old comics collection from the loft, I found this old Radio Times cover, tucked in amongst the 2000ads. April 1984, it heralds the start of a BBC  Radio 2 audio show ‘Space Force’ by Charles Chilton. I recall recording the episodes of the first serues on my cassette recorder back in the day. Amazingly, all episodes are still available on BBC Sounds:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b00dm15q

As I recall, it was a semi-realistic show with more than a touch of Dan Dare, mixed in with real world physics. Bot bad at all for its time!

AHI EAGLE TOY: 1999

 Continuing the Space:1999 toy posts here's some pictures of the 1976 Ahi Eagle transporter on it's groovy backing card, which is pretty much the same as their 'official' Stun Gun packaging.

Ahi obviously took their inspiration from Dinky, although theirs's  has a friction drive motor in the pod. Even the choosing to go with the green livery. (and a yellow pod) 

I'd still love one in my collection, though, and I love that pink card planet surface plinth. 

An alternative version, with white pod, and dark planet surface plinth.

A later version without plinth (and no visible  ATV licence wording on the card as far as I can see)

An Italian version of the packaging. Aquila is Latin for Eagle

Kev's Scratchbuilt Stingray World Navy Sub57

Hi Woodsy

Finally took some shots of that Stingray sub that I built because you kindly let me know about that racing car prop.

Cheers,

Kevin

UK

THE TOYS OF LARAMI

Images of three of the several pocket money Larami Space: 1999 toys, that appeared around 1975 and 76, which had  little , if anything to do with Space:1999. 

Some of the other Larami  cheap rehashed and repackaged generic toys included a plastic Swiss army knife, a toy watch and a periscope! 

Who had any of these little gems at the time?

Terry's Tornado 31 SPC Fleet

Hi Woodsy

Tornado 31 SPC: I have three with decals and one red one with no decals. I have never seen a blue or yellow one and have no idea where they originate from or what 'Tornado 31' refers to.

Terry H.

*

The Tornado 31 is possibly Argentinian. We first discussed this toy here in 2016! Click the label below. Woodsy

Sign of the Zodiac

We've got some of this fabulously futuristic pink doll furniture loose in the playroom. It's only seeing this set with the box online that I can see it's from none other than Zodiac Toys, that icon of the toy world in the UK with the fabulous logo.

Do you have any futuristic furniture or any Zodiac Toys or books? 

FAB EXPRESS OUT NOW

 The latest FAB Express magazine has been sent out to members of Fanderson. The issue has all the latest Anderson news and includes fans' recollections about TV Century 21, and obituaries on Prentis Hancock and Clifton Jones. There's also mention of a upcoming special event featuring Joe 90 and UFO.

https://fanderson.org.uk/

STUNNING!

I would have loved finding this beauty hanging up in my local market.

I love that colourful backing card.

IT'S A BUGS LIFE

 The popular and fun looking Corgi Lunar Bug, which appeared from November, 1970 until sometime in 1972.

Door sometimes appears reversed and the folding solar panel wings are sometimes yellow. 

Paul's Lion Book of Speed

Hi Woodsy

Lion was a British weekly comic for boys, published between 1952 and 1974. In addition to the actual comic, and the hardback Annuals, there were a number of other books carrying the Lion name, including this Lion Book of Speed, which has the copyright date 1962.

I found this at a recent Lions Club book sale, for just $1.00 NZ (44 New Pence). The spine has been taped up with brown parcel tape, but the contents are intact.

It measures 10 3/4 by 7 3/4 inches (27 by 19 1/2 cm), and runs to 128 pages including the hardback covers. Black and white text and line drawings, with red on a few pages; and several pages of black and white photographs.

It is rare to find older books like this at the sale, and I was very pleased to snap it up. The contents cover everything that goes fast.

Speed in the Animal Kingdom; cars; motorcycles; bicycles; speed record holders, Father and Son, Malcolm and Donald Campbell; boats and ships; Hovercraft; computers; aircraft; the Schneider Trophy seaplane race; the X-15; trains; snow and ice sports; and finally out in to space...

There are several cut-away drawings of various machines. One of the photos shows a model of the Super Caravelle super-sonic airliner – ancestor of the Concorde.

Anyone got anything like this?

Paul Adams from New Zealand