Go Figure

Some recent photographic fun with the Micronauts successors, Microman.

FAB UFO MODELS AT FAB WORLDS

Some of the models relating to the UFO series at Fab Worlds of Anderson:

Two of the models displayed were used in the actual series.  Here we have the surviving large SKY  1 model, which, although showing a few signs of age, still looks pretty impressive.

This is one of only two known surviving UFO’s from the series. This would have been used for distance shots and to create forced perspective with the larger, more detailed models.

This is a studio scale replica of a S.H.A.D.O. Moonbase  Ground Defence Vehicle, built by Paul Gray.

A studio scale replica of a S.H.A.D.O. Interceptor, built by David Sisson.

A large five foot long Skydiver submarine, built by Studio 2 Models.

A studio scale replica of the large SKY 1, built by R James Ashton.

Finally.this replica built by Paul Gray, of the highly detailed antenna tracking array which I believe first appeared in The Secret Service episode, 'Hole in One, but went on to make a couple of appearances in UFO.

Shelf Life: Space Observer

I am starting small with this look at my space books and among the smallest are the Observer series of books. Published by Frederick Warne, the Observers are a British staple and have been ongoing as a series for decades. These two hail from 1972 and 1974 respectively, the Manned Space having a cover price of just 50p and the later Unmanned has a price sticker inside for £1.25! Now thats inflation for you.

Both pocket sized books written by TVs space correspondent Reginald Turnhill, who was usually wheeled out by ITV to explain the more interesting bits of space news, such as the launch of Voyager or the Viking missions to Mars. Both books are very comprehensive and packed with detailed information and excellent photographic reference, backed up by clear, concise line drawings.

I've had Manned Spaceflight for a number of years, but only actually stumbled across Unmanned recently and I much prefer the second volume as it covers space probes from Russia, USA, France, Japan, China and the fledgling European Space Agency.

STREAMING THUNDERBIRDS

As it's Thunderbirds Day I'm currently watching some of the episodes being streamed online by Shout Factory TV.

They started off with a screening of one of the three 'new' kickstarter episodes, Introducing Thunderbirds, and are now showing the first proper episode, Trapped in the Sky. 

All episodes will be streamed including the other two kickstarter episodes, so for anyone who wants to catch up with Thunderbirds, download the 'Twitch' app to your phone, tablet or laptop and get watching.

BADGE OF HONOUR

SPORRONG SPACE EXPO BADGE

Christmas 2017 provided a real treat for me, courtesy of the ever generous blog stalwart, Arto. A rare enamelled badge from the fabulous Space 2000 exhibition in Dipoli, Espoo, back in 1984. (Click image for link).

Arto reports that the expo showed a full scale mock up of the Souyz/Salyut/Progress combination, as shown on this photo from Russian Space Web.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANATOLY ZAK

Salyut 7 was one of several early russian stations which paved the way for man's extended exploration of space and was succeeded by the much larger Mir and ultimately by the International Space Station. Salyut showed the world how much further soviet space technology had progressed from the  American Skylab mission.

Soviet Space badges commemorating various missions are commonly available on ebay and I picked up a nice little Lunokhod one some years ago.

Badges and space go hand in hand and I have collected several interesting ones over the years. One of the earliest was a puzzle, as I found the badge without any idea as to what it was, until blog supporter Philosophic Toad, after scouring newspapers in the British Library, unearthed a tiny article in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Moonbase Central readers will all be familiar with the lovely Project SWORD badges, four in total including the white Supremo badge from the largest sets.

 Some years back Woodsy managed to persuade Fanderson to add the Sword badege to their repetoire, resulting in this fabulous metal and enamel version, produced from an original plastic version.
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-of-sword-fanderson-badge.html

Fanderson offer a range of Gerry Anderson themed badges to members, including the impressive Zero X mission badge.

FAB WORLD OF MODELS

Here are a few photos of the many replica models on display at Fab Worlds of Anderson.

This is David Sisson’s model of the Battlehawk.

More of David’s models:  A close up of Fireball Jr.

A detail from the studio scale Spacehawk.

Fab 1 model as used in a television commercial for Swinton Insurance.

A studio scale UFO Interceptor.

Space Precinct Cruiser showing the removable escape cabin:

Here’s David on the left, chatting about Star Trek of all things, to fellow modeller, Mamas Pitsillis of Studio 2 Models.

Here are some of the Studio 2 models on display.

The super sub, Stingray:

A Terror Fish:

X-20’s submarine:

Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle:

Here’s Ben ten Westenend and assistant, Robert Zijderveld. A couple of Dutch lads who bring their models all the way from Holland, and some of them are pretty big!

Ben’s huge Thunderbird 3 model, along with a couple of  more manageable models either side.

His all singing and dancing Thunderbird 2, complete with a motor and lights.

There’s even Virgil at the controls.

Here’s a detail of inside one of the pods,that is a work in progress.

A large Thunderbird 1, with a removable hatch showing pilot, Scott in the cockpit. This is one of several models on display from R James Ashton, seen here in the background.

Here’s a highly detailed Fireball Jr.

Another of his diorama’s showing the Mole at work.

There were plenty of other superb models on display. This excellent model of the Frost Line Defence truck was built by Paul Gray.

There was even a model of the former Stirling Road studios. This was how the building would have looked in the early to mid-sixties before A.P Films was renamed Century 21. The model was built by Lawrence Harrison.