MYSTERY LUNAR PROBE MINIATURE

This is an interesting lot currently on t'ebay. Loads of plastic figures but most appealing is that TB1/TB3-like rocket 'LUNAR PROBE' on the right. What is that?

PS. Wotan, there's a totem in there too and Toadster there's some Kelloggs critters in his shop as well.

THROW DOWN YOUR SWORD (BUT NOT YOUR TOYS)

One of my favourite tracks from the utterly brilliant early 70's album ARGUS by the flying-V laden WISHBONE ASH. I discovered them in the mid-1970's during my 'Arthurian/Once and Future King' rock phase - Yes, Zep, Griffon, Camel. I was even in a band steeped in the stuff! Groovy man. Time was.

LOST PLASTIC MODELS FROM ROCKET PUNCH

Greetings yet again Paul,

These are images from the book Lost Plastic Models by Toshio Okada. The book is primarily photos of box art for a variety of Japanese SF and Character kits. I'm familiar with all of the kits except the Jetsons Lunar Tank. I wish they'd included a photo of that kit assembled. You will notice a certain SPACEX craft in the selection as well. Enjoy.

Best,
Rocket Punch

Beautiful RP! Thanks for sharing. Woodsy

UP AND AWAY! THE FROG ROTODYNE MODEL KIT

Reader Sean sent in this fabulous pic of his vintage FROG ROTORDYNE kit box. It really is stunning art work. Sean suggested I contact the Airfix Tribute Forum about pics of the model itself and forum member Ian McGeorge has kindly given me permission to show the three shots below of what is I understand a rare model now. Beautiful!

Pictures courtesy of Sean Rothman and Ian McGeorge. Thanks to both.

IS THE MOONSHIP THE SON OF FIREFLASH?

Of all the SWORD toy fleet it's the MOONSHIP* [above] in the nearly-rans stable that is the sleekest. Like a bullet-train it's over a foot of streamlined elegance. But where did the inspiration come from? I'm not aware of the Moonship appearing on TV or in comics in it's own right. I am struck, however, by it's similarity to the FIREFLASH of Thunderbirds fame, pictured below.

 

Even closer in simplicity and style is the Super Jet painted by Ron Embleton as it appeared in Stingray in TV21 1965 TV21 pictured below [GACCH]. I've added another Moonship shot for comparison. Is the Moonship this or a stripped-down Fireflash? What do you think?

 

 

Fireflash was always a fan favourite and I often wondered why it hadn't joined Zero-X at the Century 21 toy factory. What an amazing plastic jet it would have been. Maybe the Moonship is the closest they got?

Fireflash continued to fascinate new generations and here's some cool art from a 1980's arcade game.

* the Moonship pictured is the AHI 'Super Space Plane' version in the Woodsy collection. The 'true' relative of Project SWORD is the Century 21 Moonship. Anybody got one?

EXPLORING SPACE CARDED SETS

Spotted this recently, a carded EXPLORING SPACE set. Don't know the make. Anyone know? Did they do any more?

PS. Found another image in the same series

ERIC EDEN'S GK-10 SALVAGE CRAFT: A GAMING MINIATURE BY RAVENSTAR

Last September I posted these pics of my painted SALVAGE SHIP [in my own custom box], which had been kindly donated by reader Velbor. Mine was a pre-production sample. The ship is based on Eric Eden's fabulous GK-10 original design from the 1960's Fireball XL5 strip in TV21, below.

SPACEX fans will know that the design also surfaced as part of that toy range as well [the basis of my own model's colour scheme] pictured below.

Since last September Velbor has been working with US gaming miniatures studio RAVENSTAR to create a whole range of small-scale craft including the finished version of the Salvage Ship and a cool Fireball XL5 as pictured below. All are for sale.

 Visit RAVENSTAR here. You can read more about the Salvage Ship generally on the blog on this thread.

I would like to thank readers Grif and Nyrath the Nearly Wise for help with this feature.

IF IT'S ON THE MANTLEPIECE IT MUST BE GOOD

The new politics? Coalitions? Nothing new there. Back in the day there was only one alliance that counted - Andy Capp and Harold Wilson. Both of these fine upstanding gents reigned supreme on the telly room mantlepeice! Andy was a empty bubble bath container and Harold a small statue. Up the workers!