BIRTHDAY 5 9PM SERIAL: CENTURY 21 MINI-ALBUMS - The Toys You Can Hear - Part 3 by Jim Lewis

 

 

 

The initial outing for the company was a FIREBALL XL5 release in the 12 Inch format JOURNEY TO THE MOON. This was shortly thereafter edited down to fit the "21 Minutes Of Adventure" framework of the 7 Inch 33 R.P.M. Mini-Album of the same name with the catalogue number MA100.

 

 

The first batch of records gave young listeners the chance to reacquaint themselves with characters from FIREBALL XL5 and STINGRAY that they perhaps had seen on television in the previous few years. However MA103 INTRODUCING THUNDERBIRDS did what it said 'on the tin' with the show itself premiering on television at almost the same time as the record hit stores across the UK in late September 1965.

 

The early Mini-Albums were specially written new adventures featuring the voice artists children would recognise from the shows themselves. They were recorded in the same manner as the dialogue tracks for the actual programmes often with Sylvia Anderson overseeing the sessions. So integral was her role in Century 21 Records that when the company was presented with a silver disc for sales of a quarter of a million units Sylvia proudly accepted it on their behalf.

 

By early 1966 THUNDERBIRDS had largely won the hearts of viewers of all ages whether they had been fans of the previous programmes or otherwise. The earlier torrent of merchandise for shows such as SUPERCAR and STINGRAY had reduced to little more than a trickle engulfed by the deluge
that was THUNDERBIRDS.

 

 

This was reflected in the subsequent waves of Mini-Albums released with every one spotlighting members of International Rescue in new adventures or those using 'sound bites' from the actual episodes with guest narration by key characters integral to specific plots.

 

When MA109 THUNDERBIRD 2 was released, giving listeners an audio version of the episode 'End Of The Road', Century 21 Records address was now heralded as offices in The London Coliseum St Martin's Lane the heart of the theatre district. Given the expansion of operations throughout the Century 21 group facilities beyond the original Slough Trading Estate were required and central London offices were a necessity.

 

 

Jim Lewis

 

Jim's article is serialised here for our Fifth Birthday every night at 9PM UK Time this week

9PM BIRTHDAY SERIAL: C21 RECORDS: TONIGHT, 11PM.

DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES WITH THE CANINE RESIDENT OF MOONBASE, THE 9PM SERIAL IS POSTPONED TONIGHT UNTIL 11PM. APOLOGIES READERS!

BIRTHDAY 5: WHERE IS THE NICHIMO RANGER BOX?

Continuing my look at the Nichimo Carboats, here's the related Nichimo Ranger, which I mentioned in my last post. Released in 1963, it is both in shape and name the forerunner of our friend the Moon Ranger by Century 21 Toys.

These are the only two pictures I have of this particular Nichimo model with each one showing a slightly different colour scheme. What I have never seen is the box! Just what is the packaging for this model? Intriguingly, does it have Shigeru Komatzusaki box art as well?

The top picture, taken from a modern Character Age magazine, shows a graphic of the model's movements. Is this part of the box art? Are the vehicle and little man pictured part of the box art or are they simply illustrations from the Nichimo 1963 catalogue?

Can anyone help?

Shoot for the Moon

In the 1970s, before the creation of the nanny state which now seems to preclude kids playing happily outside, I always enjoyed guns, rockets and anything which employed a projectile. Gliders, parachutes and flying saucers were always in good supply from seaside shops, so summer was always spent either on a beach, or in the garden. One toy that eluded me at the time was a simple idea, called Thundershot. Having seen it on tv, I was immediately smitten, but could never find it in the shops in Liverpool, or even on holiday. However, I was pleased to find a good quality example on ebay.The box was a little damaged, but the toy was unused.

It is essentially a pneumatic powered pump, made of two cardboard tubes, topped with a plastic rocket. Pushing down on the rocket compresses the air and releasing the rocket with a finger, lets it launch off. On tv, it shot high in the air, but in practicality, I only made about 6 feet in the air! The rocket comes with two cones, one for use with a chute and one just as a projectile. The cap should release and let out the chute, but try as I might, I couldn't get it to fly high enough to activate. Still, it's nice looking period toy and at least theres no danger of it joining my Quercetti rockets in the roof gutter!

SPACEX ON THE MOON

A few photos from my archives.

I took this for the Blog's first birthday.

I figured it was appropriate to celebrate Moonbase Central with  some of the Moon fleet from Spacex.

After all, you can never have too many Spacex pics, folks.

The Mobile HQ with orange top and yellow dome 

MEV with blue arm and darker orange wheels

The ubiquitous Prospector

Moonbase (Central)

FIVE YEARS AND COUNTING!

 

Thanks for all your continued support everyone!

Keep on SWORDIN!

BIRTHDAY 5: THE NICHIMO CARBOAT MODEL SERIES

 

In the early days of the blog reader Will Schwartz astounded us all with his Character Age magazine from Japan. Will had clearly found the forerunner of the SWORD Moon Ranger. Ever since I have been intrigued by the series of four models [pictured left below], which form the Nichimo Carboat series.

 

 

Number 1 is the Frog, an amphibious car reminiscent of T in a Circle's toy. The box art was done by Japanese Showa master, Shigeru Komatzusaki, who did all of the box art for the Carboat series. Pictured are the box art and box contents [no picture of a completed model available to me].

 

 

Number 2 is the Baron, another amphibious car. Pictures of the box contents and completed model would be welcomed!

 

Number 3 is the Frontier, a fabulous looking space tank. Box contents, instruction sheet [of Nichimo Tank] and partially made model courtesy of Arto [thanks!].

 

Number 4 is the Pioneer, the forerunner of the Century 21 Project SWORD Moon Ranger pictured bottom. Here we  can see the familiar radar, tracks and front-slung dome cockpit and pilot. Only the front shovel is missing, which Nichimo added to their similar Space Ranger model, the Moon Ranger's origin.

 

Observations, pictures, videos, stories, remarks or otherwise about any of the four Carboats would be welcomed. [Pictures courtesy of Arto, Noppin and Vectis.]

 

 

POSTSCRIPT:

Reader Eric has kindly sent me a piccy of the Nichimo Frontier instructions, which where inside his box.

 

PICTURE TO FOLLOW.

 

BIRTHDAY 5: TOYS ON COVERS: ASTRO NAUTILUS

Astro Nautilus was the octopus-headed action figure in Colorforms Outer Space Men, pictured here lower centre.

 

The toys' inventor, Mel Birnkrant, recalls the inspiration for the Astro's head on his website, the giant octopus in the film Mysterious Island. Here it is pictured on the cover of Dell's comic tie-in.

 

Footnote: Modern US toy designers The Four Horsemen have updated the toy line and Astro Nautilus is on the cover of their company artwork.

 

 

He has morphed into a warrior elephant! Which do you prefer readers? The octopus or Nellie?