BOOSTER BUS

 

I recently came across this old Soviet illustration. It looks rather awkward but there's something appealing about it. A sort of Booster Rocket Bus! Wonder what the artist [Kolchitsky?] had in mind?

 

 

Are you fans of Soviet space art?

MYSTERY CHILDRENS' TV

Can you name these old British childrens' TV shows readers? One answer per reader please. Thanks.

 

 

ORBIT

I'm really enjoying this spell of sunny weather here in Blighty. It seems summer has arrived.

Here's an old ad for Orbit, the lolly ice that wouldn't look out of place on Cloudbase.

Must say I don't remember that free wallchart though !

SWORD PLAY

A recent trip to the Royal Armouries in Leeds [England] revealed lots of plastic toy swords, helmets, breastplates and shields for sale in the shop. It took me right back!

 

 

I loved plastic toy swords and armour as a kid. Absolutely loved them. Battles were fought with my bruvvers and mates, inside in the winter and in the garden in summer. It was all year round!

 

 

Holidays were a great time to pick up a new sword or helmet. Seaside and resort kiosks were choc full of them, the swords in big tubs like umbrella stands and the shields slung on hooks. Occasionally a cool roman or knight's helmet would turn up , which I'd pester my poor Parents for, often at Butlins during the 1960's.

 

 

One sword I particularly loved was a sort of Spanish Toledo [not sure of its name] with an ornate grip, jewelled pommel and plastic scabbard, a bit like these.

 

 

Were toy swords and helmets big in your house?

BUSTER ROBOTS

An article I came across in the Buster Summer Special 1969.

Noodle

 

 

Noodle

Heavi Hauler

MASUDAYA ROBOTICS

Two notable holdovers from my robot collecting frenzy of the late eighties, Masudayas four inch clockwork versions of Robby and the Lost in Space YM-3. Why the difference in name? Anyone know?

ROBOT B-9

The Trendmasters Robot B-9 from the classic TV series ’Lost In Space’.

This robust toy looks fairly accurate to me and it does have one or two features.

Press the buttons on it‘s chest and it exclaims, “Danger Will Robinson!” , or, “My sensors  indicate an intruder is present!” .

Lights flash in it’s chest and it’s body twists and it’s head  moves up and down.

Press a button on it’s back and it’s arms spring out. It’s ‘hands’ can grip.

It has a fold down door covering it’s soil sampler.

It also has a pull back and go feature.

Finally, it can be set in  sentry  mode which means set the green side button to ‘A’ , shine a light at a sensor in it’s chest and it lights up shouting “Danger Will Robinson!”.

Marvellous!