CATCHING UP WITH TOY PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD DIXON

Hi Woodsy ...Hope you are well......just thought I would drop you a line and some images for your readers ....and update you on SEASTAR 5 from 2019 ...

The project has reached twelve photo story episodes and now the first saga - missions are completed .....a series of the latest images enclosed......whats next for SEASTAR 5 ...a promo magazine is in the works - not yet sure when we will release it but will keep you posted.....interest in the story concept is strong - particularly from the USA , so we will see what happens in the near future on it.....

In the meantime I'm planning a new photo story series.....to be released to the web next year along side my SEASTAR 5 project .

This new item heads out into Sci-Fi Fantasy.....with a re-imagined look for SINBAD - for a modern children's audience.....taking the original ideas from the Arabian Knights Tales and launching them with a look beyond the original Seven Voyages......to follow some pictures from the set....

Its a re-imagined version of the old Arabian Knights Tales of the character .....taking him beyond the original Seven Voyages into a whole new world of adventures .

My new version will be called SINBAD GOLD RAIDER HEROES....and work on sample images has started with a written story nearing completion .

I hope to get the first episode...one of an eventual four parts out sometime next year.....this will of course depend on what happens with my normal work jobs during that time frame .

More on the production I will send over to you for your readers as I move forward with it.....

Best Regards 

Richard Dixon 
https://www.toyphotodesign.uk/

MYSTERY SPACE TANK

Hi again from the USA...Here's something unusual, A take apart space tank from the 60's. It's made of flexible plastic and about 5" long. 

It's not marked by the manufacturer. I guess it's somewhat rare as I've only seen one of these before some years ago! 

It was a welcome addition to my collection.

Clayton.

USA

ARTO'S HIMALAYA BOARD GAME 1960

Hi Woodsy, 

pertaining to your recent Rock Climbers post and especially to the fabulous Merit Everest game that was all new to me, sending you photos of the very similar Finnish game Himalaya from 1960. 

It might a version of a Danish original, though I have not been able to find one online [nor another Finnish example.]

There are numerous obstacles along the way to the top: glacier, snow blindness, fog, avalanche, thin air - and Yeti of course!

Arto

KLEEWARE ROLLS ROYCE

Hello

Re. the PARAMOUNT post by Rob C a few years ago [where he says]

"Occasionally a true Paramount Hobbies anomaly will turn up on ebay, such as a Rolls Royce kit, which says "Made in England" on the box, and a motorized Tokyo Monorail Ho-Scale trains system, presumably from Japan."

This Rolls Royce may have been the attached Kleeware model. It was about 1/30 scale. I once saw it here in the US with a different box. Sold mine on eBay years ago. 

Regards, 

Terranova47

NYC

LEWIS'S SCRATCHBUILT SPV

Woodsy

Just an update on my update. I ruined that flawless finish on the WIP shots by a poor choice of materials, so I had to go with a slightly more weathered look (with lots of rust) for my finished toy. 

Here are two hero shots of the finished item...

I love those old Japanese tin toys where they have the character's name on the side and a picture of them on the roof, so I was channeling that vibe. I also got to do that old "picture of someone in profile in the window" gag -and he's facing the correct way too!

I was inspired by those old Hot Wheels tin badges to make the tyres as printed pressed tin instead of plastic wheels and it was a natural extension of that aesthetic to make the rear caterpillars out of flat printed tin instead of a moulded piece.

P.S. the antennas are plastic toothpicks, so I got to do some trash bashing like you!

- oh, and it actually has a mystery action motor in it, so it runs around the floor with the head and taillights flashing!

Lewis

OZ

Here's a short clip kindly provided by Lewis of his fabulous home-made SPV toy in action.

LEWIS' S MEMORIES OF SPACEX AND PROJECT SWORD TOYS

Do I have any Sword Toys?  The simple answer is no, but I had some stuff when I as a kid and the reason I found your most excellent blog -to try and recapture that snotty nosed ten-year old world view!

I had a few of the SpaceX vehicles, most notably the Helicopter which I disassembled and repainted silver with a spray can! 

I lusted after the Moon Base and Nuclear pulse which were beyond my price range. I had the mobile launch pad and I repainted the green rocket white. What WAS it, with white vehicles being painted green in the 60's?

I wanted the moon rover with its orange flanged wheels, but it had sold out by the time I'd saved up enough money!

I remember seeing the Prospector in a Newsagent window, but the only GENUINE Sword craft I had (although looking through online lists, I can't find it) was "the plane that is seen trundling along the seabed in "Superthunderstingcar" " - apart from the card models. I well remember making the Sand Flea, Snow Train and Scramble bug!

Lewis

now in OZ

PS. what are your Spacex and SWORD toy memories readers?

CATCHING UP WITH LEWIS: 2001 DIORAMA

Hi Woodsie, Last May I finished my 2001 diorama in time for the 

30th Sydney Miniatures and Dolls' House Fair

which is on.

My 1/3 scale Space Pod is a MAJOR undertaking and I want to concentrate on other things for a change, including 1/3 scale SHADO astronauts and my soft vinyl toys.

Keep on Bloggin' 

Lewis

OZ