We Have a Situation!

8" Thunderbird 2 drops off miniature TB4

Superb detailing on the new Vivid Imaginations toy.

REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR PROJECT SWORD TOYS: SHEET 1

This is the first in a series of information sheets I'm blogging about replacement toy parts for Project SWORD toys. In the rare event that you may be missing a part for your favourite SWORD vehicle these may just help you decide what to do next.

However, none of these replacement parts are commonplace by any means and short of stripping down spare SWORD toys that you may have for parts or until someone manufactures repro parts for SWORD toys these replacements may be the last chance saloon for a complete toy.

Sheet 2 to follow soon.

BIG TOY VEHICLES

I've blogged about larger friction toy vehicles many times [here and here]. I've included large plastic versions of the Popeye Paddle Wagon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Bat Boat. There's just something fascinating about them.

Well, after another trawl through the murky depths of the oceanic web, here are a few more larger toy vehicles that tickled my fancy.

First up is this cool Spanish version of something we've seen before, especially as it has Gerry Anderson credentials: the Trans Continental Express, which appeared in Stingray [you can read about this and more on the blog here].

This AUTOBUS A FRICCION was made in Spain by JYESA toys and is model number 252.

Next up we have another Spanish  example, an A Team van, El Gruppo De Accion con Friccion. The blue toy van doesn't look much like the one on the box so I'm unsure if  its the real thing.

Spain again, this time the nicely boxed CARRO ARMADO or Armoured Tank by Sanchis.

Sanchis again, the CANON AUTOPROPULSADO or Self Propelled Canon in an excellent photo-art box

and the related HELICOPTERE AUTOSPACIAL by Sanchis. Note the Self Propelled Canon [above] on the lovely photo box-art.

and finally the over to the USA and perhaps my favourite from this plastic assortment, the BEVERLY HILLBILLIES CAR by Ideal no less. From 1963, what a fabulous rendition of the Oldsmobile Model 46 Roadster it is! So colourful and plasticcy! I want one!

MPC 22" EAGLE TRANSPORTER

My latest acquisition arrived today - the new 22" Eagle Transporter kit from MPC.

I reckon at 22" it's a good size for the model, about as big as I'd want so it doesn't look too imposing on display. Although the studio did use a 22" prop,  this model is based on the more detailed ' hero' 44" Eagle from the TV series,  (I've seen plenty of fantastic 44" Eagles at conventions which look great in the display room , but could look a bit over the top in my living room)

There's plenty of info about the kit, printed all over the box, including painting and decal instructions.

The parts look really detailed. The folk behind the kit have really done their homework. Even the landing legs are spring-loaded for that added authenticity. 

The decals allow for different versions of Eagle, depending on how they appeared throughout the two seasons.

Finally the detailed instructions, with a potted history of the studio models. 

It's a project I want to start sooner rather than later, however the only thing holding me back is the Deluxe Accessory Set. which hasn't arrived yet.

Watch this space

DID YOU RECORD THE CHARTS?

As soon as I got a small portable cassette recorder in the 1970's I started to tape the charts on the radio. Did you readers?

The charts or top forty were always on a Sunday afternoon on Radio 1. You could stand a microphone next to a radio and record the whole thing on a couple of blank C60 cassettes. That's 2 hours of solid chart gold to listen to later on, which I did all week. The only work involved was turning the tapes over.

A C90 tape might have got the lot on as well if you were lucky. You just had to be around to turn the tapes whilst recording. It was slow and dedicated work performed in the sanctity of our bedrooms mostly. If your Mum walked in and said 'Teas ready Paul!' then that went on the tape too! Personally I loved it. It was our technology like the PS4 nowadays.

The machine itself was a boxy rectangle of plastic and electronics, with half of it encased in fake leather topped by a carrying strap. The five push-down buttons were huge and white and above them was a weird silver toggle for rewind and fast forward. It looked like a small piano and was the bees knees at the time.

Those glorious music tapes have sadly vanished from my own life but somewhere out there are the charts of a generation religiously recorded for posterity on millions of cassettes across the globe.

What did you record readers?

NEUTRON BAZOOKA

In response to Woodsy's post about the Dalek Neutron Exterminator, I do have a photo which I've had for while and downloaded  from one of the many Dr Who vintage toy sites, unfortunately I don't remember which, so if someone out there recognises it as their pride and joy, then please let me know.

Anyway, looking at this lovely piece of kit it's described in the TV21 advert as being developed by the London section of  Lincoln International Ltd, however looking at the backing card, no makers name is visible to me. 

Like the Anti-Dalek water pistol, which turns out to based on a Lone Star Space Outlaw die cast cap gun, I've always suspected that the Neutron Exterminator is based on a previously released toy.

  

Well, it will probably come as no surprise to some of you that that's the case, and rather than it being all down to Lincoln International, the toy first appeared in 1963, described with some accuracy as a Bazooka, and made by American company, Remco.

Comparing the two toys, its plain to see that Lincoln International have altered the sights on their version, and removed the REMCO logo from the side, but it's looks much the same toy.

So to be fair to Lincoln, they really did develop their Neutron Exterminator just like they said in their ad.

DR.WHO NEUTRON EXTERMINATOR TOY ANYONE?

Scoop's amazing post yesterday about toys on TV included this toy bazooka, which I'm pretty sure I had as a kid. I recall blasting my bro's with ping pong balls!

Seeing it reminded me of a mysterious toy I remember from the past, a Dr.Who Dalek bazooka and I wondered if the two toys were related. I didn't have one and have never clapped eyes on one either but I have seen them in old adverts. Scoop posted this one last year, where it's named as the NEUTRON EXTERMINATOR.

Checking the DR WHO TOYS site the bazooka Neutron Exterminator is not pictured at all and I'm not sure its even listed. It doesn't help that the site lists a small cap gun named the Neutron Exterminator as well!. In this TV21 competition that Scoop also posted last year the bazooka's presumably full title is given as the Anti-Dalek Neutron Exterminator. I'm confused!

Even more alarming is the total lack of any images of this Dr.Who toy online, unless they have all their neutrons exterminated! The closest I got was this modern bazooka at Toy Gun Zone!

Has anybody got an actual colour picture of the Dr. Who bazooka in the flesh?

NEW RADIO SWORDCAST TONIGHT AT 8PM

Yes, its that time again folks when the airwaves are jammed with the sound of vintage toys being chucked around the attic!

Tonight's radio show covers such toy gems as the new Thunderbirds Are Go Toy vehicles and comics, Super Balls and kids' stuff that glowed in the dark!

Like a vending machine of memories, tonight's SWORDcast promises something for everyone! Very important questions will be considered, questions like:

*Are the new Thunderbirds toys any kop?

*What were Superballs made of?

*Just what was glowing in the dark?

So tune into Celtica Radio at 8pm UK time tonight for twenty minutes of toy heaven!

Click here at 7.55pm UK Time to make sure!