REAL SPACE MODELS LUNAR PROSPECTOR

It says lunar Prospector on it but this Real Space Models kit reminds me more of the Spacex Photonic Space Station! In fact its a bigger version of the little Furuta egg toy I used for my mini - Photonic SS earlier in the year. But where is the real thing from Spacex? Someone must have one!

MORE DE LUXE / TOPPER ROCKET BASE SET - BY THE PHILOSOPHIC TOAD

Hello Paul, found an excellent website on De Luxe/ Topper Toys (click on the bottom pic). The 'History' section solves the De Luxe - Topper mystery. And the 'Catalog' section suggests the Rocket set appeared in America as early as 1960!And take a look at 'The 60's'. Doesn't the Operation X 500 look cool (bottom picture)!

6

The advertisement I have - top picture - dates to December 1962. It is an announcement in the toy trade magazine British Toys, indicating that De Luxe Toys were being made in Great Britain. Sadly, the quality of the photocopy is appalling, thanks to the British Library. Photocopies from there are a bit hit and miss, depending upon whether or not the person doing was in a 'do I look bovered' mood. you see in the advert are shop displays. I remember a cold, dark, winter evening out with my parents. We passed one of the two excellent toy shops which were within walking distance of home, and in one was the Fire Chief set. It seemed enormous at the time, and extremely exciting, lit up as it was.

6

The toy itself was good, but somehow it never did live up to the emotions that window display engendered. Such is the power of advertising. Anyway, the Rocket Base U.S.A. looks like the one Wotan had. But again, this is a window display.What is interesting is that I am pretty sure I did not get the Fire set in 1963; more like 1964 or 1965. So the gap between this advertisement and the remembered shop display is curious. Even moreso is the discrepancy between the first appearance of the rocket set and the year Wotan recalls getting it. I don't think for a minute that he has misremembered; more likely it just means the set continued to be available for the major part of a decade.

'bye,

The Philosophic Toad

6

Nice one Philosophic! Topper/ De Luxe/ De Luxe Reading Corporation made some awesome toys didn't they. Checking out that site I remember Johnny Astro so clearly now! Here's more Johnny Astro - those crazy space balloons!

TOPPER ROCKET BASE BY WOTAN

WOTAN Base Instinct 1: First of an occasional look at another of my favourite childhood toys - the Rocket Base! Every Gerry Anderson show worth its salt had a scene with a major missile installation or rocket base in it. The Cuban Missile Crisis had brought ICBMs to the front of public attention and the space race to put a man on the moon meant rockets were everywhere in all shapes and forms. There were (and still are) few things more exciting than seeing a rocket blast off on a trail of flame and every boy wanted to be a part of this. Toy companies quickly churned out loads of different toys to try and catch the zeitgeist of the period and put the drama of the countdown and blastoff into the living rooms of kids everywhere.

6

I remember distinctly getting up one bleary xmas morning around '69 to find a massive (to me anyway) cardboard box sat beneath the tree, the Cape Canveral Missile Base! Made by Topper toys of Johnny Seven OMA fame (something which Santa somehow forgot to deliver - and I'm still waiting fat boy!) this was a fabulous toy, with everything you needed to stage a rocket launch. Three main sections comprised of a Rocket Transporter lorry with three ICBMs, a Nike Hercules Missile Bank with three cruise missiles and the huge 'Silo' Base Launcher. On top of all this came a small army of figures - each about 6cm high, well detailed in every pose from high altitude flight suits to heat resistant rescue suits to commanders and mechanics. Water slide decals with eagles, stars and fine grecian mythic names for the rockets like 'Thor', 'Atlas' and 'Jupiter' were ready to be applied to complete the authentic look.

6

My original set gradually perished over the following years, but due to the generosity of our host, Woodster and a canny win on ebay last year, I have managed to almost complete a set of this fantastic set. One of my fondest memories of that xmas morning was blasting off a Thor rocket from the silo in front of the xmas tree and it crashing into the branches - fusing all the lights! I recreated this memorable moment last night during the photo shoot and due to the massive power still present in the spring loaded launcher, almost smashed a rocket through the glass roof of the conservatory! Given the caution inherent in every modern toy and the health and safety freaks instilling a 'nanny culture' on every child (and adults too!) in case of accidents - it was great to remember the reckless abandon that was present in sixties toys when atomic rockets, huge cannons and One Man Army guns were the order of the day!
7
Happy to help WOTAN, my pleasure. The set looks stunning! Topper the Morning to ya!

YONEZAWA MOON ROCKET XM-12 1956

and here it is! The Yonezawa Moon Rocket XM 12 from 1956! The body looks the same as Cap Scarlet's rebel jet below to me. So which came first - TV21 #242 or this Japanese tinplate toy? BTW the top box is a repro from those ace box-makers at ToyTent. Bottom pic from OzziesRobots.

6

PS. The tinplate rocket came first - dated 1956. TV21 #242 from 1969.

MLP SILVER SHIP - IS IT CAPTAIN SCARLET'S REBEL JET?

There appears to be a similarity bewteen the silver ship atop the Spacex MLP rocket and the rebel jet on the cover of the very final issue TV21, #242 (6th September 1969). There's a tinplate Japanese space rocket just like the rebel one too. I shall go and find it.

Picture credits: top - Jim Lewis , Bottom - Mike Burrows

REMCO ASTROTRAIN

I love this Remco Astrotrain on Ebay USA. $100 and its yours! It really does have a swordish feel to it. I can see the earth authorities rounding up casuals and carting them to moonclink in this! Remco really did some brilliant 60's toys.

SPACE GLIDER LINE-UP

left to right: Century 21 Orange, Day Fran Orange, NASA 2001 Red R/C, NASA Orange, Century 21 Grey

Top To Bottom: NASA orange (no box), Day Fran, Century 21 x 2, NASA 2001 R/C

From the Woodsy Collection

Quiz Question: which Gliders are missing?

BLOG EXCLUSIVE 8 - APOGEE BOOKS: THE SAUCER FLEET AND MORE

Blog reader, Darth, runs Apogee Books in Canada and he has kindly offered blog readers a 20% discount on any of the books on his site - click on the pic above. The discount would be a refund post-sale. Just buy and pay for what you want by Paypal from Darth's Apogee site (prices are in $US), let me know your name (contact me here), address and what you've bought/order no. and after confirmation from me then Darth will send you a 20% refund via Paypal. Here's the background for Apogee's latest fab-looking book, The Saucer Fleet:

The Amazing Sequel to The Spaceship Handbook:

The Saucer Fleet by Jack Hagerty & Jon Rogers .

After years of waiting, fans of the superb "Spaceship Handbook" can now finally see the long awaited sequel by Jack Hagerty and Jon Rogers. Available in full colour, hardback, this 328 page monster with over 400 color illustrations includes the same attention to detail first demonstrated in the Spaceship Handbook, but this time applied to Flying Saucers.
Few things are more iconic of the cold war era than the flying saucer. Although the
archetypal "Chariots of the Gods" goes back to antiquity, the concept of a
Flying Saucer as a vehicle of alien (or sometimes human) intelligence entered
our culture in 1947 and has yet to leave.
This book examines the social phenomenon of flying saucers through the lens of the films and other media of the day. You won't find any chapters on Area 51, Roswell or almond-eyed Grays here. What you will find is a detailed and meticulously researched reference on some of the most popular science fiction films of all time.
Prepare for the landing of The Saucer Fleet!

Chapters include:
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
TWIN EARTHS
WAR OF THE WORLDS
THIS ISLAND EARTH
FORBIDDEN PLANET
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS
DISNEYLAND FLYING SAUCERS
LOST IN SPACE
THE INVADERS

BLOG MAP

Occasionally I look at the blog stats, which includes a world map. Thought it would be fun to post this from 5 minutes ago. Isn't the worldwide web just amazing! Keep blogging!

MY PROJECT SWORD COLLECTION

Thought I'd post a few pics of my own collection in its summer quarters - the moonbase cabinet in my attic. This is about 75% of it, there's a whole box of stuff like the Apollo Saturn I can't find! I'm naturally messy so it will take a while to find it. In the meantime enjoy. Pics of readers' own collections welcomed!

AOSHIMA MOONBASE

I'm fairly convinced now that the cute trio of the Moon Crawler, Moon Prospector and Scramble Bug are the SWORD pin-ups when it comes to models! Imai obviously loved 'em and Aoshima's Moonbase re-issue is no different. The hard-working moon vehicles appear alongside all the stalwarts of the UFO fleet and this maybe the closest we ever get to the fabled Imai Project sword Moonbase Kit (which like its Century 21 parent may not even exist). The Aoshima kit comes with a whole sheaf of great Japanese instructions, but I've just posted those for the Crawler, Prospector and Bug - wonder if they translate as the same names? Alas, I don't own this kit (pictures from various kit stockists' sites) so if anyone is lucky enough to own one, any chance of close-ups of our little SWORD pals!

6

PS. I used to think Konami did a similar gang of three but I've never found any.

IMAI BASE

Ever since I read in Dennis Nicholson's seminal Guide to Gerry Anderson Memorabilia about Imai Bases I've been in love with them. I don't own any but I just adore the artwork, particularly of the SWORD vehicles. Above are a selection. The top picture of the UFO Big Base is from Modern Fred's excellent Flickr album. The Prospector picture is of the UFO Starbase 1. The bottom two pictures are courtesy of William0099 on the Space 1999 Eagle Transporter Forum. They are scans from what is obviously a wonderful book about the main Imai artist and his work. The one with the base module is UFO Starbase 4. The bottom pic is UFO Attack Unit. I've found a link to this book and many other juicy Japanese Anderson tomes here.

6

There's an earlier bloglet on Imai Bases here.

IMAI GOOD MODELS, NOW ROLL OVER!

As a postscript to our recent Imai Scramble Bug/ Project Sword Custom box sale, here's a great little site all about the 'GOOD MODEL' die-cast range (click on the logo). Oddly enough the Bug is the only 'non-character' vehicle made, the rest being from popular 1960/70's TV shows in Japan. Wonder why the Bug? Our little friend is also described as a 'space exploration vehicle'.

The site also covers, amongst many others, the much bigger Eidai Grip range of very similar 60/70's die-cast vehicles, which include Thunderbirds, Stingray and many more Anderson shows. Perhaps the closest stable-mate for the Bug in the Grip range is the UFO SHADO MOBILE, as they both appear together on various Imai Big Base kits.We've seen the 'GOOD MODEL' logo before on the blog - here - a gorgeous and original display case, of the Bugs sold on the blog, as originally procured by supercollector Terry Harle.

6

But what were Imai thinking with the line 'Now Roll Over'? Roll over and play with your toy? Roll over the moon terrain? What?

6

BTW if you are one of the proud owners of one of our custom boxed Sword Imai Bugs, don't forget to check out the little paper catalogue inside the Imai card base ( open carefully! ).

ACTION JACK ASTRONAUT BY STAR TOYS

...and here he is - Star Toys' Action Jack - 3.5 inches of pure adventure. And there is an Astronaut too. Check out this great Action Jack archive here to see the bigger Space set. It's a poor picture but you get the idea. I love the Sentinels rocket. These little fellas are popular with Action Man and GI Joe fans too. Collect Em' All!

WOTAN V. THE COMAN BOYS: THIS TIME ITS PERSONAL

These toys are a really odd combination of subscale Playmobil- like figures and various other toys which seem to have been cobbled together from other lines. I bought a set blind on ebay about a year ago, quite cheaply. Blind as I had only a tiny preview pic to go by and virtually no info - and i'd seen other small pics on the net before. When the box arrived, it was quite large - about 1 inches square - and it contained about six figures, each about two thirds the height of a standard Playmobil. Figures are articulated and had loads of gadgets and wepons, a small bike to ride and various parts of cardboard scenery base, supported by plastic girders.

6

Also in the box was a really badly cast hollow Thunderbird One in bright chrome plastic. Best of all though were the spaceship and 'Molab' vehicle (pictured) - the construction isn't great, the windows don't close properly and parts fall off easily, but the basic design is quite good. What really floated my boat were the wheels on the rover - very spacex/nasa like!

6

All in all Coman Boys are a bit of a curiosity and not worth spending much time hunting down, but a fun toy if you can get one cheaply.
6

These little fellas remind me of Action Jack figures - I'm pretty sure there was an Astronaut too. Good one Wotanater - from the Conan Boys!

BAZOOKA JOE

Wow! How could I forget about Bazooka Joe! Just remembered that fantastic fruity gum flavour and the cool mini-comics inside each wrapper! And you can still get it in the US ! I remember me and my brothers having a super cool Bazooka Joe whistle ring - I'm pretty sure it was yellow? To see one again, now that would be something!

UNCLE JOES MINT BALLS

...and for those marathan sessions of Carpet Wars blasting hell out of Airfix armies with the UFO Interceptor, there were Uncle Joes Mint Balls! Sticky, delicious and long-lasting! Iconic!

CHOCOLATE FOR SIXTIES SPACE NUTS

That's right WOTAN, any self- respecting Space Nut of the Sixties and Seventies always had a ready supply of their favourite toffees (general kids term back then for all sweeties and chocs) to hand. The above selection would do nicely thanks! Ahh, Butter Snap. God, they were good!
6
And I've Just discovered this is on! Wish I lived closer to London sometimes, only a week or so left!
6
Sweet Sixties, Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising - 8th September 2008 - 31st May 2009: The ultimate nostalgia trip for sweet lovers everywhere. The period pack designs will evoke the tastes and temptations from 40 years ago. The exhibition includes forgotten favourites such as Aztec, Fry’s 5 Centre and Bar Six, alongside Marathon and Opal Fruits before their names changed (click on the pic above for details).

TV21 REPRINTS IN 2 VOLUMES!

COMAN AND AIRGAM BOYS: SPANISH COMMANDOS OF SPACE

I first came across Comansi of Spain when I picked up a bag of plastic Thunderbirds figures and a bagged TB5 at a swapmeet years ago, which both had the distinctive COMANSI logo. But I've since discovered that they have done more original work - the Spacex-like COMAN BOYS and AIRGAM BOYS. Popular in their home country and so often found on Ebay Spain, I really do like the look and feel of the range's vehicles. Dig those crazy MEV wheels and that little silver TB1! I think I am a COMAN BOY! Not sure of their size? Playmobil scale? Anyone got any of this great series?
6
Pictures all off Ebay Spain.

Summer of '69: ZOOM!, SKY RAY,SEAJET AND ORBIT by WOTAN

Its an easy Sunday mornin' so what better time to hear from a nostalgically-minded WOTAN:

6

The Summer of 'Sixty Nine, we never had it so good - men on the moon, space toys in every shop window, rockets in our cereal and apollo on our pyjamas - space was everywhere and on everything. Advertisers didn't hold back on any opportunity to cash in on the space race and food manufacturers weren't concerned about the effect the garish, fluorescent colourings they put into sweets and ice creams might have on young kids as those same kids were already showing similar signs of hyperactivity as youngsters today - but without chemical interference! Pure, simple excitement was coursing through our veins as we were bombarded with comics, tv, toys and sweets with new and different otherworldly ideas and the imagination ran riot! Feeding the need for both fast food and a cooling influence on the hot-headed kids trying to be indestructible Captain Scarlet and Neil Armstrong under the summer sun, Lyons Maid and Walls rolled out countless brightly coloured confections such as Zoom!, FAB, Sky Ray, Seajet and Orbit and alongside each hastily consumed lolly ran an ad campaign giving us wonderful goodies like collectors cards hidden in the wrapper, mailaway wallcharts and little toys and most of it was free! Don't you just wish someone would perfect time-travel ? I know when i'd go! Theres a backyard full of toys waiting for me back then and tinny music in the air as Mr Whippy rolls down a backstreet pursued by the slap of Thunderbirds slippers on pavement. Life was much simpler then! Ho hum...
6
mmmmmm, I'm right with you Wote, lickin' my mivi over at Heysham Head! Where's the nearest time machine! Think you can still get Fab?

PROJECT SWORD ANNUAL 1967

Project Sword Annual front and back covers double spread. See this and more on

modernfreds excellent flickr site.

MIDORI LT10 LUNAR TRANSPORTER KIT

Found this fabulous MIDORI model kit of the ship seen in the film The Green Slime (featured previously on the blog), on which the LT10 lunar Transporter from the Spacex range is based. This model is one of many brilliant vintage kit boxes pictured on modernfreds flickr site. There's also a series of fabulous pics from the PROJECT SWORD Annual. Recommended viewing.

UFO MISSILE TANK

pics courtesy of Ebay

I've liked the look of this unlicensed 1970's UFO Missile Tank for years. Not only does it have a UFO Interceptor and a SID on the box, there's a brilliant little illustration of the far less well-known Moon Crawler in the bottom left-hand corner, as pictured in a double-spread a few years before in the Project SWORD 1967 Annual. The tank is pretty cool too with its big orange radar and four red rockets. Anyone actually own one of these beauties?

ASKEYS MOON ROCKET CONE & LONE STAR GEMINI CAPSULE BY WOTAN

Whilst any aspiring astronaut was busily playing with his rockets and Project Sword toys on the garden lawn it was always good to have something nice to eat on hand, especially in summer! Ice Cream manufacturer Askeys came up with the ideal way to capitalise on the space race craze sweeping the UK during the summer of '69 and introduced a special plastic 'rocket cone' to supply their ice cream in as their vans rolled about the streets driving kids wild with anticipation. Not content with taking the pocket money off eager astronauts for ice cream, they cunningly devised a cool (excuse the pun) mail away offer too - five moon rocket tokens and five shillings bought you a Lone Star Gemini Capsule with astronaut to throw on the neighbours roof! I managed to grab one of these capsules on ebay a while ago after the ever resourceful Philosophic Toad showed me the original ad from TV21 in May 1969. Unfortunately, I was never able to get one of the rocket cones - I wonder if anyone remembers them or even still has one... ?
6

Yummy, Wotan, I'm right there with ya eating that rocket cone! Woodsy