SPACE RAGE

NASA's Curiosity is still trundling around Mars on its epic journey across the Red Planet but you wouldn't know judging by the media here in the UK. There's zero coverage. Nothing, Nada. The same goes for non-existent public interest, particularly among the young.

I had thought that we were on the cusp of a new Space Age but it seems to have stalled. The World appears to be once again mired in countless endless terrestrial squabbles. Its a wonder NASA, ESA and other Space Agencies get anything done at all in this depressingly pot-bound climate. I hope they carry on regardless.

What do you think readers? Am I just space raging?

KONAMI S.I.D.

Getting back to  my  UFO theme here's the Space Intruder Detector, better known as SID. 

Another lovely detailed miniature from the Konami range.

This was available in a Premium Pack which came with either a Rescue Eagle or Fireball XL5, both of which were hidden so you never knew which you'd get.

Still Shut

Had another look in that shop window today, still closed up, which is a shame. Managed to get a couple of photos of items near the front of a side window, maybe it'll be open at the weekend!

DOUBLE DISC

Picked up this Blue Box  type  saucer friction drive toy a while back. It came all the way from Hungary. Not sure of its pedigree.  It doesn't have anything on the base, and the friction drive is slightly different to the Blue Box one. Anyone got this version or ideas about it?

MANTA SOAR

I dunno, something about this Manta Force spaceship just reminds me of the Project SWORD Dyna Soar Glider. Maybe its an updated imagining of the X-Plane. The SpaceX Golden Astronaut adds to the atmosphere. Top pic courtesy of the amiable Bill Bulloch. Do any later toys remind you of SWORD vehicles readers?

"But the shop was shut.."

How many times have I had to say that, after seeing an exciting toy in a shop window and gone to buy it. Saw these today in Southport, but alas, couldn't buy them...

THE SPANISH CRICKET: MOLTO JEEP MILITAR

Most SWORD and Anderson collectors will know MOLTO of Spain from their fabulous Three in One boxed set of Thunderbirds vehicles similar to JR21 toys.

Less well known is their JEEP MILITAR pictured here. A lovely looking thing, it is clearly from the same design as the SpaceX Cricket. Its most likely based on one of the earlier British versions such as the Codeg one beautifully photographed by Scoop in 2011 . What do you think readers? Anyone know the timeline of these cricket-style toys?

SPANISH GALAXIAS BOOSTER

I do love a good Booster rocket and here are some cool Valigursky fuel cells on this Spanish space pistol box art. Do you know of any more Booster Rocket art?