Winging It

Its funny how you can look at something for years and not pick up on certain details. It was Woodstocks earlier bloglet that just attracted my attention, in particular, the 'Sabotage' Ferry illustration by Ron Embleton.

What struck a chord with me was the larger, more aerodynamic wings on the passenger section of the shuttle. The actual toy has neat, sharp wings which rest on cylindrical 'pods' which look like they should fold down. This made me wonder if the actual design of the passenger shuttle was originally intended to have variable geometry wings, for an atmospheric landing.

The original proposal document by Ling- Temco-Vought doesn't offer much clarification, but in the 'Inside Information on Space Travel' book by Lesley Ashwell Wood, theres a speculative illustration of a future space shuttle, which has a similar wing position, but does feature folding wings. It does fuel my imagination for the passenger section of the Ferry making a runway landing at Glenn Field!

Ferry My Heart

A smorgasbord of Ferry art. Which one is your favourite?

Do you of any more?

UFOLYMPICS

Moonbase is gripped by Olympic fever. A truce has been called by all sides of the SWORD Wars. Casuals and Rejects are arriving for the Games and making their way to Lunar Village. Moonbase personnel have thought of everything except for which sports to play on the moon. Any ideas?

Collecta-Stroll

There are junk shops and there are junk shops. Some we love and some we don't. As collectors around the world we'll have our favourite shops or fairs we visit the most. But what do you do around your visit? Go to your favourite cafe or maybe your top record shop? My 'perfect' Saturday route usually takes in a stop at Doncaster Fish Market for a saucer of tastey whelks and cockles with vineger, then a look over the old big box videos at the long established video and dvd market stall before mooching round the final stop, the vintage toy stall in the market overflowing with TV-related toys and games. When can I do it again!

What's your favourite collectables route?

Buggy Billy

The unseasonable warm spell has made me a bit sluggish of late, as summer finally realises its here. The next few weeks are the summer holidays I used to enjoy as a boy, now I can sit back and watch my own two kids kick back and relax. Its hard having to trek off to work everyday when theyre playing, I wish I could too! Still, distractions from the daily grind are available and a couple of last second ebay purchases greeted my arrival home yesterday. The Tonka Tote Beach Buzzer (above) winged its way across from the states and the seller kindly included a cd of all the available Tonka catalogues, scanned and ordered, in the package. Free. Now that is good service. The Totes are small steel chassis and plastic body cars, a little larger than a Matchbox motor. Heavy rubber tyres and nylon bearings on the axles mean they roll well and far.

The Indy race car Screamin Demon is a slick futuristic looking racer, just the way I like em. Uncomplicated, with clean lines. Totes were designed to bring a little speed and pocket sized play to the world of Tonka and each car came with a belt clip to carry the car around on.

Billy Buggy

I suppose Billy Blastoff was meant to be your little brother's Major Matt Mason but I played with them both no problem. I loved Billy B and have fond memories of his various sets. I'm always amazed when something completely leftfield turns up like this spanish Billy Blastoff Beach Buggy by Nacoral. Billy has his flippers on so I assume it's part of the wider Billy Scuba Diver range. I wonder if his backpack powered the buggy? The toy is available online from reader Castro. Anyone collect Billy Blastoff?

The First Ride

A short slideshow using my T Shuttle and C21 Cape Kennedy crawler and gantry. In memory of Dr. Sally Ride.

Sally Ride RIP

I was saddened to hear on this morning's News that Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut in the US, has died at the age of 61. Sally was part of the Challenger Shuttle's second flight in June 1983. She was 32. Godspeed Sally.