Armed Forces: The US Navy Jayhawk as a Possible Origin of Probe Force 2

One of the most stubborn of design origins in the SWORD fleet os PROBE FORCE 2, which is shown here in both it's Century 21 and Tarheel boxes [Moonbase collection].

The toy space-plane and the box art in close-up above and below show the PF2's distinguishing features including a thick main body, deltoid wings and two top rockets/foreplanes.

Although not wholly convincing there are some similarities with the 1961 AQM-37 Jayhawk missile of the US Navy as seen below.

This artist's impression clearly shows the Jayhawk's thick body, deltoid wings and a pair of small foreplanes. It also clearly shows the main difference, the missile's pair of rear arrowhead wing fins.

The Jayhawk is popular with modern rocketry enthusiasts as shown here.

I feel that there's something here but it's not enough to pin down PF2. This drawing of the Jayhawk show that the rear wing fins [proper name?] are clearly an important feature and oddly enough one which we associate not with Probe Force 2 but with Task Force 3 pictured at the bottom. Interesting but not conclusive for either. The search goes on!

American Dyna

I'm always on the lookout for new vintage images of NASA's X-20 Dyna Soar. It is probably the most illustrated/photographed of all the spacecraft, which inspired SWORD, despite the fact that it never actually flew. Here are two images found online this week I've not seen before. I'm unable to identify the artists.

Possibley the most commonplace of all X-20 artist's impressions, certainly online, is the one below showing the space-plane heating up on re-entry. It exists also without lettering. Darth kindly identified the artist's surname as McCallister, which lead me to discover his full name, Warren McCallister last year and theorised it's influence on the SWORD box art.

This week I came across a similar image online [below] but here the X-20 is actually redder as it heats up further even it appears to be located above the same point on the Earth's surface.

We have seen a series of similar images before - in an early NASA film on You Tube posted previously on the blog. Summising that the re-entry sequence is a simple cartoon of many static images then perhaps Warren McCallister created a whole series of paintings for NASA's/ Boeing's use of which the two shown here where related? I've re-posted the You Tube clip at the bottom. The X-20 re-entry 'cartoon' is at the start along with a fabulous gallery of X-20 art on the wall behind the Presenter, including McCallister's own rendition. See what you think.

If you interested in an in-depth study of the Dyna Soar X-20 then I can recommend our very own Darth's fabulous book from Apogee as seen here on You Tube:

Concept Art Attack

If you like space art and concept spaceships then check out concept ships blogspot. Amazing! And whilst your'e at it take a peek at the website of Syd Mead, futurist designer mentioned by Mike Trim in his The Future was Fab book.

Pete Postlethwaite 1946 - 2011

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of actor Pete Postlethwaite today. Pete was one of the few northern English voices in the Hollywood firmament, often adding much needed grit to his films. Fondly remembered here in Yorkshire for his portrayal of Danny, the band conductor in Brassed Off, it's his occasional foray into fantasy where he stood out for me: as David in Alien 3 [pictured] and particularly as Roland Tembo in Jurassic Park: Lost World, the unflappable hunter hell-bent on bagging a T.Rex! RIP Pete.

Rocket Fuel

I had to look twice when I came across this mug online! At first glance I thought it had a piccy of our friend the Cape Kennedy Playset! It's not but even so the NASA Saturn V with gantry and crawler might be just what Swordies need with their coffee! For more info, prices and much better pics go to Zazzle.

Two Years Ago Today: Blog Archive: Keith Shackleton

From the blog archive, 2nd January 2009:

"During the 1990's I wrote, via Snail Mail, to various people concerning PROJECT SWORD. Although there is nothing sensational here I thought it might be fun to post them anyway. I have removed any original signatures. The first are my brief responses from Keith Shackleton at Century 21. Frustratingly Keith did not remember much about SWORD but it was kind of him to take the time to reply. I also wrote to Gerry Anderson last year but as expected to no avail I'm afraid. I wonder if anyone else has had better luck with Century 21?"

Since blogging this in 2009 I managed to write to Gerry Anderson via Fanderson's helpful 'Ask Anderson' mail section in their most recent FAB magazine. Mr. Anderson referred to Keith Shackleton's creation of the Century 21 Merchandising arm but alas, it did not reveal anything really new about SWORD  I'm afraid, but I was unbeleivably chuffed to be able to 'ask' the great man a few questions at last.

Balsa Soar: Boys Life May 1962

Courtesy of the wonder that's Google Books, a fabulous two page article on making a balsa wood Dyna Soar in 1962. Jetex!

2011: A Space Odyssey

Let the Odyssey Begin!

Happy New Year!

Picture credit: Michael Coate from his amazing 2004 website about 2001: be sure to click on the 'seat engagement' list' three quarters of the way down.