REVELL CATALOGUE 1961/62

Hello Woodsy

This is probably 'coals to Newcastle', the 1961/2 UK Revell catalogue with its pre-space race models.

Regards,

Terranova47

USA

SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS WILL GET US THROUGH

Hearing of the Lockdown Action Man quickly bobbed round with a nice Spring Tulip for Missus Moonbase and me before isolating himself in the footlocker.

It'll cheer us up when we do a wash in the morning

We'd best wash some clothes for Action Man too!

He must be freezing!

MOONBASE IN LOCKDOWN

Like many of you across the world, the UK is now in lockdown. Our PM has just announced draconian national measures on a televised address to the nation. Each of the four nations of the UK have followed suit.

Its a frightening thing to be isolated by the State even when its for such obvious and virtuous reasons. I think my Parents experienced martial law in World War II but I never thought me my Missus would have to.

Best of luck to everyone out there, to you and your loved ones and for what its worth I will try to keep Moonbase Central going as long as there's internet space and electricity in case you need some light relief.

LAST BROADCASTS

As sentient beings we worry.

We worry about the unknown and our demise.

Moments of global worry have filled the imaginations of Sci-Fi and disaster film and radio writers for decades.

Watching these films again helps me to see how we cope in fictional disasters in the face of our own very real viral calamity now.

Often these films and plays contain stark beginnings, last TV and radio broadcasts and occasionally happy ends.

I'll start with the powerful introduction to HG Well's War of the Worlds as read by Orson Welles in his infamous radio broadcast in 1938.



The 1953 movie version of War of the Worlds captures Well's final words offering humanity a beacon of light, an ending somewhat at odds with the world at the moment.

In 1961 came a movie which to me is the finest of all disaster tales, The Day the Earth Caught Fire and the anti-hero's final broadcast as he walks down an empty street is truly sobering.

The Day of the Triffids offered us some hope at the end in 1962 when simple seawater would save the world.

Deep Impact in 1998 gave Tia Leoni her best role as a TV news broadcaster who becomes the comforting voice for millions. Her final bulletin explains the rescue plans, the missile strikes and a tragic global lottery.

In 2002 28 Days later painted a startlingly stark picture of a vacant echoey London.

I wonder if we will see empty streets like this soon?

Can you think of any more memorable beginnings or final broadcasts in disaster films readers?

HOW ARE YOU COPING WITH ISOLATION?

After watching all those disaster movies as a kid I never thought I'd actually be isolated in my home.

The UK isn't yet on lockdown but it may happen soon. Me and the Missus are self-isolating anyway. We just go out for her odd post knee-op hospital appointments as part of her recovery. 

I will have to get some more milk and dog food too soon as well but don't relish going into shops at all.

Its suddenly become a scary world to be in.

Are in you in lockdown already in your country? How are you coping with isolation readers?

DREAMING OF MARINE BOY'S SUB P1

I was a huge fan of Marine Boy as a kid.

I can hear that high-pitched Anime theme tune in my mind right now, the words Seven Arts imprinted on my brain. The animation was just fabulous.

Marine Boy's sub was always so cool as he swept through the skies and zoomed through the seas.

I don't think there was a Marine Boy toy sub around. I certainly never had one.

As you'd expect Imai made a kit and here are two built by avid Japanese fans online.

Here's a scratch built version that a fan's made on You Tube.

But its a toy I would have wanted as a kid.

Was there anything out there back then like the P1?

There was the Clifford Cruiser 3.

Not red and white though.

How about the Chinese Small Moonship?

Not bad! Its red and white!

What do you think?

I think there was a French Aerocar toy or similar too but I just can't pinpoint it.

Can you think of anything else like the P1?

SELECCION TERROR: LIFTED HORROR ILLUSTRATIONS

Seleccion Terror was a Spanish pulp issued in the 1960's. Many of the stories were written by the prolific Clark Carrados. Clark Carrados was an alias of Luis Garcia Lecha. It must have been great collecting them.

As with many cheap pulp publications Terror lifted some previous illustrations for use on its own garish and attention-grabbing covers. Some look do original though - just google Seleccion Terror. I'm unsure of the Terror artists but here are a few lifted Terror covers and what I think are their possible origins and a few mysteries you could help with too!

Dr. Terrors House of Horrors movie

Dirty Harry movie

Night of the Demon movie [but is the screamer lifted too?]

And here area few mysteries.

I have an inkling about these lifted covers but just can't put my finger on them.

Can you readers?

RALPH'S NEW FIREFLASH

Just a line to say that thanks to the wonderful Aviation Retail Direct Shop at Hillingdon and some online drawings of the original AT version I now have a 1/200 scale model of Fireflash with gear down.

Now all I need is to get a large London airport photo blown up as a backdrop!

All the best

Ralph M