I love this old Pan paperback 1960 cover of the Red Planet. The story is by Charles Chilton and the cover, complete with Moon Bus and Task Force 2 - like vehicles, is by Glenn Stewart. Cool! This, Journey Into Space or Jet Morgan isn't a BBC series/character that I know but there's a modern graphical version of it online with the header shown below. Spot the blue Stingray lookalike and another Moon Busish vehicle! Anyone know the series? Is it radio?
Being stuck out at Mars Base can get a little lonely at times so in order to stay in touch with everyone in the outer colonies iv'e added a Twitter link to the blog. Me, Woodstock and the Toad are all there and busily tweeting away. So if youve something to flag up, talk about or show - go Twitter!
I've posted these models before, but seeing Woodstocks Europa posts, i've come over all unneccessary again as its a concept that fascinates me too.
Arthur C Clarkes novel 2010 explored the idea of life on Europa (literally), in a prescient concept whereby what appeared to be a chinese space station suddenly left orbit with a unique hydrogen cell engine powered by water and headed for Jupiter. This theme is left out of the film, although the russian probe does meet a certain something on the floor of a Europan crevasse, it isnt the ambient seaweed from the novel.
I made these little ROV's (remote operated vehicles) a while ago after watching Camerons Abyss. ROVs and remotely operated aircraft are being used more often lately and the concept is becoming much more advanced. Besides probing the depths of the seas and exploring remote asteroids and comets, remotes are finding their way into public surveillance and military usage.
Not far in the future flying saucers will be an everyday reality...
Sold as a companion to the similarly produced Captain Scarlet figure Pedigree's Destiny Angel 'bendy' is a well known piece for collectors of Anderson merchandise. Announced to the trade in 1967 many were perhaps expecting a 'Barbie' or 'Sindy' type figure and given the earlier THUNDERBIRDS dolls by Fairylite I am sure young girls would have enjoyed owning a 12 Inch clothed and articulated figure of Destiny or indeed any of the Angel Flight. However they would have to make do with a more diminutive embodiment of Destiny the beautiful French lead pilot. Despite its stature the figure offers some nice detailing. Most examples today lack the gold effect paint which will have turned green on even mint and boxed examples as seen here. Spectrum roundels are at either wrist and also on the very nicely made flight helmet.
It is this level of detailing which again set an Anderson toy apart from others of the period or indeed even of today. Rooted hair and a very reasonable likeness to the puppet go a long way in making what could have been just an average toy desirable to enthusiasts. As with almost all vintage collectibles the packaging really does showcase, perhaps more than it deserves, a nice little toy. Stunning artwork also seen on the 12 Inch 'SCARLET' figure appears on the reverse of the window packaging which would later be mimicked by Pedigree themselves for their JOE 90 figure. Although not the most rare, and certainly not the best, of the 'SCARLET' collectibles Destiny Angel is part of many fan's collections and will remain as one many Anderson followers look upon with some fondness.
There's a number of Europa mission animations on You Tube, which try to capture the likely majesty of exploring it's alien oceans. Here's but one. If you like Techno music leave the sound on, if not then don't. It really is the stuff of TV21! I particularly like the ice crust drill!
The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. Our feeblest contemplations of the Cosmos stir us — there is a tingling in the spine, a catch in the voice, a faint sensation of a distant memory, as if we were falling from a great height. We know we are approaching the greatest of mysteries.
Carl Sagan, 1980
