SOUNDS OF 2001

I found this 2001:A Space Odyssey soundtrack LP in a second hand shop the other day and bought it for that iconic cover artwork by Robert McCall showing the Pan-Am Orion III Spaceplane emerging from Space Station V.

I've already got the score on digital download so I can't see me dusting off my old record player any time soon, although I did read that the unused original score for the movie written by composer Alex North was given a limited  release of 2001 copies on vinyl a few years ago. Listening to the opening theme he composed, to me it does bear a slight passing resemblance to Also Sprach Zarathustra.

As we're so used to hearing the classical pieces during the film its sometimes difficult to imagine how things would have been if director, Stanley Kubrick had decided to use Alex North's music. I think most people might agree that Kubrick ultimately made the right choice, but that doesn't diminish Alex North's talent, a composer who wrote several epic film scores including Spartacus and Cleopatra. He also co-wrote the theme song , 'Unchained Melody' for a little known prison film called Unchained in 1955, which became a huge hit for The Righteous Brothers.

Here's Alex North's jaunty version of the Orion III docking sequence.

KEVIN'S TENDER

Hi,

Here is my matchbox crash tender keeping an eye on my Zombite fighter.

Kevin

LINCOLN INTERNATIONAL STINGRAY

Another popular classic Stingray toy, the Lincoln International battery operated remote control version. In 1964 this was the ultimate Stingray toy.

This was a little more screen accurate than the Fairylite version, and has a revolving ratemaster, an illuminated cabin, aquasprite covers and ratemaster,forward and reverse motion using the attached remote control and an annoying 'asdic buzzer' (asdic being an early form of sonar to detect submarines)

 

Here's a comparison between the Lincoln International and the Fairylite Stingray toys.

A TV Century 21 competition offering a Lincoln International Stingray as a prize.

Lakeside toys also did a friction drive version of the toy, with less painted detail and a multi coloured ratemaster.

HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER MOON SUIT AND MODEL

Hello Woodsy

I live near a store caller Hammacher Schlemmer who are known for selling expensive and pointless items for the very (and I mean VERY ) rich. They have a mail order business mostly. 

Do you need a KILLER WHALE SUBMARINE as featured on Moonbase Central?

Here are two items in their window of late.

Regards,

Terranova47

NYC

SOME DEAGOSTINI RESCUE VEHICLES

Here's a few of the DeAgostini rescue vehicles I've taken photos of that were part of the 1:144 Thunderbird 2 set. I've featured them individually in past blog posts, but I think they are always nice to see. DeAgostini have since released an extra pod with a couple more vehicles for an eye-watering one off payment of £250, and a launch ramp for the same price. Thankfully, I'm quite content with the original set, although the Thunderbird 2 model still needs some attention to get the legs working properly, something that quite a few builders have had trouble with.

FAB 1, not strictly speaking a rescue vehicle, I know, but...

TOFFEE ROCKETS IN BLUE BIRD SKIES

This lovely little space tin was on the Base for years.

Found languishing at a car boot sale it was brought back, cleaned up and kept until a new Ebay home was found for it last winter.

A toffee tin I think, it captures perfectly the optimism of the space race: even that most treasured of bonds, a kid and a puppy, get in on the action and float around in the ether a bit courtesy of an umbrella!

I love how a simple fishbowl can turn anything and anyone into an astronaut!

Don't know the artist's name but it reminds me of Norman Rockwell a bit.

I think it was a Blue Bird toffee tin.

You remember toffee tins?

FAIRYLITE STINGRAY

One of my favourite classic Stingray toys. I had one as a youngster so its very nostalgic to me. This is one I picked up very cheaply a while back which was missing the ratemaster, and rear hydroplanes. I repaired it using retro parts from Graeme Walker at Toy Replicas.com.

Close inspection shows up the repair of course, but it still looks fairly reasonable on display, taking me right back to those far off childhood days.

This is how it looked prior to restoration. 

BLOODHOUND ON THE BASE

This little old model set is in my box of model parts.

A rather neat covered Land Rover and a Bloodhound missile and trailer I think. Is that right?

Not sure what the array is in front. A launcher?