THUNDER BALL TOY ANYONE?

This lot appeared on the Vectis auction site in 2012. What a fabulous description it sounds! There's tons on interesting stuff in there: Funmate space sets and Space Attack for example. Wonder who was lucky enough to get this bundle?

I've highlighted one thing, Hong Kong plastic.... that caught my eye, in red below - anyone any idea what that might be? 

Also, in the large picture, to the right there is a "Thunder Ball" box with a space-helmeted boy on the front. Is that image from a film? What is that toy? I've focused in on it below.

Also, what is the toy pictured above with a green base and a red top of some kind?

You can see the images more clearly on the original here at Vectis

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"Collection of carded plastic novelties, many with space and science fiction theme including: Steptoes Product self-adhesive accessory, comprising Frankenstein soft vinyl/rubber neck bolts and stitches upon colourful illustrated backing card; 

Accoutrements Invasion of The Monster Women plastic figures upon original backing card; Space Attack 12 assorted authentic space jets and figures with plastic playmat, within original box; 

Hong Kong plastic space exploring miniature moon capsule with astronaut figures, within original box; trade card Ghostly Monster Heads "Hey Kids they stick on your head", upon original illustrated vampire and Frankenstein theme backing card; 

trade box of KP Outer Spacers Alien Battle Fleet vehicles, within original box; together with assorted additional packaged plastic novelties including Noah's Ark, various zoo animals, frogmen sets; 

men from outer space; Inspeccion Lunar; Funmate Space Command, hanging skeleton and others, conditions vary from Mint within Fair to Good Plus packaging, where present, interesting lot. (qty)"

BROWSING FOR THUNDERBIRD 7

If you want to search the Japanese web for the Imai Thunderbird 7 then check google images using this サンダーバード７号.

CAPTAIN LASER'S RATTLE

Sounds are important. Probably as important as any other form of recall. Sometimes I remember sounds better than anything else. I also spot similar sounds, which can be distracting.

One distinctive sound is the two note screech during the 'video' sequence in the 2002 US horror film The Ring, based on the Japanese Ringu.

The short screech repeats itself in the background throughout the 'video'. If you are superstitious or squeamish or both about watching it then minimise the screen but keep listening. Click here courtesy of You Tube.

The sound I find similar is on the Atom Heart Mother Album by Pink Floyd from 1970. It's almost a reverse of the short screech and quite creepy in its own right! Click here for You Tube once more.

One sound for which I've been unable to find anything similar is that unique rattle given off by the pressing the buttons on Captain Lazer's back pack. You know, Matt's big buddy by Mattel. You can here the t-t-t-t-t-t sound here courtesy of You Tube again. Can you think of anything similar readers?

Another deja vu I had was listening to the soundtrack of 2001: A Space Odyssey. It pertains to a haunting motif here.

I can't help thinking of  A   L   I   E   N  when I hear it, which has a similarly eerie signature throughout the soundtrack, which you can hear in full on You Tube here.

What do you think readers?

Can you think of any similar toy or film sounds?

RED BOX AND BLUE BOX TOYS IN HONG KONG

This flickr picture gives you an idea of the scale of the admin in Hong Kong behind toy companies like Blue Box and Red Box.

Rebecca's Collections

TOY PIRACY IN HONG KONG 1967

A very interesting article on flickr about alleged toy piracy in Hong Kong in 1967.

Rebecca's Collections

OLD TOY DEPARTMENT 1967

Here's an interesting link to a series of flickr pictures of old toy departments and other stuff:

Rebecca's Collections

LUXURY CARS

When I was a kid I was fascinated by prestige cars. 

These fell into two main categories: luxury saloons and limousines.

The three cars or marques which topped the bill were without doubt Rolls Royce, Bentley and Daimler. I think I would have put them in that order too.

There weren't any others I don't think. I loved spotting them when they occasionally drove past the family Rover, as alien as the QE2 sailing past.

I know I had a die-cast toy Rolls Royce, maybe several, but as to the other two I'm unsure.

Limo's were even more exotic. I associated them completely with overseas Heads of State: US Presidential Lincolns and the Russian Zul...or was it Zil?

Did you like luxury cars as a kid readers? 

Have you been in one? 

Have you got one?

MARX BIG PEN ANYONE?

I've been searching for a MARX BIG PEN spy toy for years. It was part of the rare UK version of the 1966 Counterspy Man from Uncle set.

I still haven't ever seen one but I wonder if this Redbox 707 Special Agent Ballpen Gun might be similar?

Anyone ever seen a Marx Big Pen?