MOONBASE CENTRAL

Saturday, 21 January 2017

MATT MASON AD

Although I loved Matt Mason when I was a kid, I've never been tempted to collect any examples in later life, much preferring Zeroids.

However, I'm always happy to see nostalgic ads on the subject.

FOCUS ON THE JOHNNY LIGHTNING SPACE POD

Another die cast model from the 1998 Johnny Lightning classic Lost in Space set – The Space Pod.

Like the others in the series it’s pretty accurately detailed for its size, decked with various sensory gizmos and nice decals. Apparently, the number on the decals, 277-2211 -IA is the phone number of 20^th Century Fox Studios, and the initials, unsurprisingly stand for Irwin Allen.

There is one glaring omission on the model however. For some reason the starboard side reaction control thrusters are missing leaving just a square indentation where they’re supposed to be.

The Pod is obviously based on the Apollo Lunar Module with the front elevation being quite reminiscent of it.

The rear has the entrance hatch.

The Space Pod first appeared in the third season L.I.S. episode, Kidnapped in Space, were it is flown by Dr Smith and the Robot. Although the Pod had never been mentioned before it’s assumed it’s always been there aboard the Jupiter 2.

The Space Pod is launched from it’s hanger below the Jupiter 2, and is able to land on nearby planets or accommodating space craft, leaving the Jupiter 2 in space.

The Space Pod also appeared in Irwin Allen’s Land Of The Giants, in the episodes,’ A Place Called Earth’ and ‘Home Sweet Home’

remember painting by numbers?

I remember Painting By Numbers sets at Christmas.

There were always one or two perched on the arm of the sofa my prezzies were piled onto.

I wish I could recall some ultra-cool JR21 Thunderbirds painting sets but the subject matter I see when I think back is mostly wildlife like horses and birds in trees. I suppose they were trying to educate us as we painted.

The Paints were supplied in small plastic lidded pots that were neatly kept in place by holes in the back card box. There was naturally a brush too, together with a stack of unpainted paper sheet designs and the finished model pictures either in a colour leaflet or on the back. No idea who the manufacturers were anymore. Berwick?

All that was needed to paint by numbers really was a table, a glass of water and lots of childhood.

I don't get a happy feeling when I think of Painting by Numbers sets so imagine I wasn't keen on them. Like Board Games, I will have found them just too restrictive for my chaotic mind!

Even worse in my opinion were the Embroidery By Numbers sets my Mum got. Torture by a thousand stitches!

I do recall, however, loving a toy or painting set where the colour was revealed by wetting the paper with a brush dipped in water. Maybe I'm dreaming but it feels like something that I actually did as a kid! Can anyone help?

Did you like painting by numbers sets readers?

Friday, 20 January 2017

Blue Moon

Really pleased to finally own a Johnny Astro Moonscape, courtesy of the unflinchingly generous Kevin D. Just spent an evening investigating the differences in my collection of moonscapes, but for now, the Spacex LEM touches down.

today on the blog 20th january 2009

This is the first of a series of nostalgic re-posts from the same date, today, every year on the blog since we started way back in September 2008.

Some things we knew. Many things we didn't. Some friends have gone. New friends have come. We hope all of them have prospered.

Enjoy!

*

Darth has sent me this:

Hey Woodsy, attached are two pics from my Dyna-Soar book of something very similar to what Wotan has been showing.

One, above, is an animated mock-up of a winged reentry vehicle built by Martin and put on display at the New Worlds Fair in New York in 1964.

It looks to be half way between the X-20 and the X-24. Apparently it was seen to fly back and forth docking with the cylindrical space station.

The other pic, below, is a mock-up proposed by Goodyear for an inflatable re-entry vehicle.

BTW did you get the pics I sent to you several weeks ago of the Hover Moon car? It looked exactly like a Sword toy.

Regards, Rob

FOCUS ON THE JOHNNY LIGHTNING 'CHARIOT'

Another popular vehicle in the Lost in Space TV series is The Chariot, an all-terrain plexi-glass covered vehicle that can transport the Robinson Family anywhere on the planet.

The prop, which incidentally still exists, is built on the chassis of a 1965 Thiokol Snow Cat.

The little model in my photos is another Johnny Lightning 1998 release, and is around 60mm long, around 30mm wide and around 40mm high.

Even for its size it’s packed with detail. Inside there are six bucket seats and the forward mounted radar scanner /radio control box. There also the roof mounted solar panels and the domed gun hatch, as well as spotlights and radar dishes.

The tracks are static; however the model does have set of wheels underneath if you feel the urge to push it along.

Next time – The Space Pod

Original Terrahawks Prop

Hi,

Good start to the year for me in that I have acquired an original Gerry Anderson prop, something I never thought I'd do.

It is one of the Zeroid perches from Treehawk in Terrahawks (the port one I think!). Here it is with my replica Zeroid perched on it. I'm very pleased with it.

Take care,

Kevin D