NAMING THE LP TOY ASTRONAUTS

I've been admiring the 8 LP astronauts for years and can now spot their distinct 'personalities' a mile off. 

In all that time I've never seen them named so this is my attempt to do so. I could have gone all NASA on you but I've gone with what they remind me of. See what you think!

Travolta

or 'You can tell by the way I use my walk'

Lollipop

or 'Stop or I'll shoot!'

Party Man

or "Where do you want it?'

Lunch Box

or 'I hope my normal park bench is free!'

Eureka

or 'By Jove I've got it!'

Road Drill

or ' I can't get it off my hand!'

Chewbacca

or 'When do we start shooting?'

Tennis Ball

or 'Caught it!'

Your suggestions welcomed readers!  also suggestions for what the fellas are actually holding - air tanks? sensors? what?

BANDAI TERRAHAWKS

While we wait in the UK for the imminent release of the new set of Thunderbirds Are Go diecasts, it reminded of the time when the Terrahawks diecasts first appeared in the shops. Although I can't say I was a big fan of the series I did like the models, so here's a few photos I've taken over the past couple of years of my Bandai Terrahawks collection.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW 2: FAB 1 AT THE HEATHFIELD WILDFLIFE PARK?

A few years back I received this comment on a blog post regarding the fate of the original FAB1. Alas I never heard anything else so I'm reprinting it here in case anyone else knows what 'Stuart' is referring to:

"The small safari park was Heathfield Wildlife Park in East Sussex. My father, as head zookeeper found it in a barn underneath some hay bales in the mid-late 70's.

Some restoration work was done at the time to get it back working as the safari park owner's son used it as a wedding car.

My memory on it is vague as I was only a small child at the time but there are some photos about somewhere of it which i shall attempt to dig out. Stuart"

HELLO BOYS, SOPHIA MYLES ATTENDING ANDERCON

Another guest announcement for Andercon is actress Sophia Myles, who, along with Ron Cook were arguably the most positive aspects of the 2004 box office bomb, Thunderbirds Are Go.

"Hello Boys"

As we all know, Sophia played undercover agent, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward , while Ron Cook played Aloysius Parker, her loyal chauffeur.

While the film had very few redeeming features, Sophia and Ron both played their respective roles  almost identical to their original Television counterparts, much to the delight of fans and critics alike.

Sophia, also appeared in what I personally consider to be one of the best episodes from the rebooted Doctor Who series when she played Reinette  aka Madame De Pompadour in The Girl In The Fireplace, written by Steven Moffet, and based on the Audrey Niffenegge novel,  The Time Traveller’s Wife. 

If someone had told me prior to it's airing I would be recommending  a love story for Doctor Who I'd  have found that hard to believe, but, I've got to say I love this episode with it's many touching and moving scenes, which incidentally, don't over milk it like some of the rebooted Doctor Who episodes I've seen. 

I'll forgive the corny ending with the heroic Doctor on horseback, and even the Clockwork Robots look chilling at times.

I think the only thing that would enhance Sophia's appearance at Andercon is if  Ron Cook made a surprise visit!

Thunderbirds Are Go

 Doctor Who: The Idiot's Lantern

SPACE TRAVEL: THUNDERBIRD 2 FROM CHINA

Back in the late 90's I used to scour the discount shops in Wakefield on Saturdays for any interesting bargain toys. Two I picked up but don't have anymore where these SPACE TRAVEL carded sets.

Definately in the cheap and nasty category, they were knockoffs of Thunderbird 2 and the USS Enterprise.  A pull-nylon handle made them fly off 'up to about 30 feet' but I never opened mine up to try them [boring collector!]

I think they were made in China and came out around the same time as that other Chinese Thunderbird 2 pirate, THUNDERCOP.

You got any Thunderbirds knockoffs readers?

HEADING YOUR WAY......

BOATERIFIC 'ATLAS' HARBOUR TUG

Here's my slightly knocked about 'Atlas' Harbour Tug toy from Ideal's 'Boaterific' range.

For a toy it's got plenty of little bits of detail, unfortunately most of it is quite delicate.

There's a few broken or missing pieces on mine, but it still looks the part.

There were six boats in the set when they originally came out in 1967, and used Ideal's 'Motorific' electric motors, which were first used in 1964 for Ideal's Motorific slot car sets.

The motor is slotted into the hull with the batteries. Ideal's exclusive automatic bailer  pumps any water out of this lower compartment.

To accommodate the workings the hull has to be quite deep, but once in water that  wouldn't be a problem.

The rudder acts as the on/off switch. Note the auto bailer tube.

The case display card, 

 I've got to hand it to Ideal, they did come up with some fun toys in the sixties.

EMPIRE TOYS TRADEMARK

A relative of Tarheel Toys, here is the online trademark info for Empire Toys of Tarboro, North Carolina, courtesy of Trademarkia: here.