WHERE HAS JAPAN SUPER FANTASTIC MODELS GONE?

One of my favourite websites, Japan Super Fantastic Models [JSFM] appears to have gone offline. Its such a shame as it was the best English-language portal into the myriad vintage sci-fi models of Japan I have ever found on the net. It was there that I saw the most detailed pictures of this SWORDesque Astro Car on the site, including gorgeous built-ups. Sadly now all off the grid.

Fortunately some bright sparks have archived some of the site's examples of box art online and here's such a one, Another Design Blog.

Whilst an alternative can be found as comprehensive as JSFM here's a beautiful gallery of amazing Japanese Sci-Fi model kits. The sheer number of SPV-based vehicles, like the two shown here, is head-spinning! Check out Pramodel [and Amazing Toy and Vintage Plamo Chronicle]..on, and Thunderbirds JP.

MYSTERY MINI SPACE JET

[pic: amazingtoy.com]

I saw this miniature model toy online and wondered what it was. Anyone know?

NEW YEAR NEWSFLASH!

NEW SWORD TOYS COMING SOON TO MOONBASE CENTRAL!

ACTION STATIONS! SKY 8 TOY RE-SURFACING!

Here is another treat from the bottomless boxes loaned to me by the ever-generous SWORDGrasshopper: the legendary SKY 8 UFO submarine toy from Japan'

Because I think it's awesome I've mentioned it many times on the blog including as recently as March 2015. Inspired by UFO in Japan's Bokura magazine, it was described in Dennis Nicholson's 'Bible', his guide to Gerry Anderson Merchandise in 1994, where I first came across this wonderful toy.

In Japan, during the late Sixties, it was sold in shops on this large card display, which held 12 bubble carded toys: 3 of each in 3 different colour schemes: silver and green, all brown and silver and blue. Each toy had a drawing below it on the header card. You can see one top left, a sort of speedboat.

The fantastic header of the display depicts the Sky 8 in full underwater battle mode, there appears to be no mention of UFO. The makers' logo is a leopard with lettering in the far left bottom corner.

Each Sky 8 came on on individual stapled bubble card on which were instructions beneath the toy itself. The word SHADO appeared along the sides of the toy, giving it its only link to UFO.

Out of the bubble the Sky 8 is a beautiful miniature plastic toy typical of the attention to detail the Japanese are famous for. On the top are two torpedoes visible.

At the rear is a working propeller and on the undercarriage a retractable stabilizer. The number 8 can also be seen below the conning tower.

The instructions below the toy show various firing points for the missiles.

Here's a missile inserted for firing in the conning tower of a Sky 8 with a different colour scheme.

All that remains for me now is to understand the Japanese instructions and test fire the missiles, pull out the stabilizer and try out the propeller. For that I will turn to video. Watch this space!

[all pictures: Bill Bulloch except the final one which is courtesy of Nobo Land]

UNKNOWN WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION

The six covers of the Unknown Worlds of Science Fiction, a 1975 bi-monthly magazine published by Magazine Management, a parent company of Marvel Comics, and distributed by Curtis Circulation.

It featured stand alone sci-fi strip stories, interviews and articles

A couple of pages showing some of the content.

A page from issue 1, showing Chapter Two of The Day Of The Triffids, by John Wyndham. The Strip is adapted by Gerry Conway, Ross Andru and Ernie Chua.

One of my favourites from issue 4. Enchanted Village by A.E. van Vogt,, and adapted by Don and Maggie Thompson and Dick Giordano.

Finally an ad showing other magazines in the series, including Woodsy's , Deadly Hands of Kung Fu.

MIST-O-MATIC TOY BY DENIS FISHER

As the sparkle of Christmas fades and the decorations are put away for another year, I can't resist one last blast from the Festive past. This is Mist-O-Matic by the brilliant Denys Fisher, which I got Xmas 1970.

I adored this toy and I was thrilled to find this set at a local Car Boot sale about 15 years ago. It brought back so many misty memories!

Essentially a paint spraying workshop for kids it allowed you to make cards for every season.

The booklet explained everything.

and my particular favourite, the Mist-O-Matic Christmas card! Happy days!

Did you have this set or a similar one readers?

THE END OF CHRISTMAS

The End of Christmas: the last glass ball:

The festive fire inside its heart:

Held aloft on proud, strong antlers,

The ancient cargo must depart.

The North of Norths, the final fir,

A magic sentry standing tall.

Behind from which appears the Guardian,

Waiting for the deer to call.

When at last the ball's delivered,

He check's the Yule's remaining flame.

He tests for its longevity:

A toe is dipped into the same.

Whereupon he sits and slumbers,

Tree and ball and Father North.

The Christmas flame once more protected

Until December Twenty Fourth.

Woodsy

For mi Baba

Xmas End 2015

SPACE PARATROOP TOY PAUL ROSSI ART

I have been looking for the basis of this space paratroop header art for yonks. Well, I may have struck lucky this New Year. This painting by Paul Rossi [1960?] looks like it might fit the bill. What do you think readers?