LAUNCH SIXTEEN 12 UFO INTERCEPTOR...SOON!

Some more photos I took a while back of the Sixteen 12 UFO Interceptor which comes with it's own launch crater (and Moonbase backdrop) Sixteen 12 sent out an update regarding this set, which was expected ,together with the brand new Retro Interceptor,and the UFO saucer with special display stand were due to dock at Felixstowe on the 2nd December. Unfortunatly the port has been overwhelmed due to Covid, Brexit and Christmas. Their vessel was turned away and has a new docking slot for 14th December. For all those waiting with baited breath, fingers crossed, they get delivered soon after, to Sixteen 12's warehouse, where Sixteen 12's efficient operatives (Angie & John) get them packed and dispatched.

OLD ROCKET WALLPAPER

 I love this old space wallpaper someone uncovered! Do you?

Wallpaper found under 3 layers of other wallpaper from r/RetroFuturism

Have you ever found old wallpaper?

 

PET TALK

I was thinking about the animals in my life the other day. It could have been something to do with Blue the Moonbase Mutt staring into my eyes, waiting for his Pedigree Chum!

The first true pet memory I have are of my parent's old dog Shandy. Shandy was a lovely mutt, very cute and friendly. I don't recall her being taken out for walks but she did have the run of a big garden. I have a vivid memory of her having pups but I've no idea where they went. She died in 1978 I think. Shortly after my Dad sold our parental home and family life as I knew it ended forever. I think Shandy missed my Mum too much. Somewhere I've a few snaps of her.

I have a vague memory of tortoises and fish too. There were tortoises everywhere back in the Sixties. Preston was like the Galapagos with hard-shelled critters shambling allover the shop. Some had things painted on their shells in white paint. House numbers were popular because the tortoises were forever wandering off.

Fish were everywhere too. I had a tank full. I think it was my Parents' attempt to teach me about responsibility. I remember the little card pot of eggs that I sprinkled on top of the water. There were very fishy multi-coloured flakes too. The card pots were yellow but the brand name has swum.

Fish names abound in my head from back them: guppies, shubunkins, neon tetras, japanese fighting fish. It was an artform keeping them. Even goldfish were tricky.

I failed my fish eventually. The tank got stagnant and the fish went furry. I would look after them much better now.

My brothers had pigeons. They built a large outdoor aviary with our Dad. One of the birds was called Betty, a chocolate racer I seemed to remember. I never bothered with the pigeons. One day the aviary was burned down. I've no idea who did that.

Despite miner birds being popular with neighbours, mimicking what folk said, my parents didn't have any indoor birds. I once rescued a sparrow, which had got trapped in the kitchen cavity wall. I called it Spadge and looked after it for about a week, chopping worms up. Alas it sadly died and I remember being gutted. I think I was about 15.

I've had pets as an adult but that's about it as a kid.

Did you have any pets or rescued animals readers?

CENTURY 21 PERSUADERS

The 'Persuaders!' Monty card #69,

Brett Sinclair.

Courtesy of Bernard Dunne.

Have you got any of these readers?

DO THEY LIVE IN THE TELLY 'COS THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE!

Is it just me or do the same gaggle of minor celebrities and so-called TV 'personalities' haunt all the UK's TV shows, each others' TV shows and all the shows that are yet to come for all time?

The Schofields, the Willoughby's, the Skinners, the Fieldings, the Becketts, the Widdicombe's and so on and so on!

Why don't the UK TV channels give normal unknown people a chance to earn a few bob during this pandemic and stop fattening these B-listers' already bulging pockets?

Rant over!

INFERNAL MACHINE ALPHA TANKS

Some photos I took a while back of the soon to be released Sixteen 12 episode set which was delayed due to Covid restrictions. The photos show pre-production prototypes. The final production models have now been shipped from abroad and, all being well should arrive in the UK on 28th December ready for distribution.

Xmas Light Entertainment

With christmas on the way, I was reminded of something I bought a few years ago, which is especially pertinent this time of year. As a kid, part of christmas mornings fun was the stocking at the end of the bed, which was always filled with the usual traditional items; a tangerine, some nuts, a silver coin, sweets and a load of little toys. One toy which always appeared was a pocket torch, usually a Pifco or Ever Ready one.

A few years ago I was amazed to see an online auction for a counter box of such torches, but even better, it had the Ever Ready Rocket torch from the mid sixties. Some of the torches had been lost or sold, but at least half the box was full of these wonderully nostalgic toys.

Each one had a plastic sleeve from an original Ever Ready battery and an instruction sheet tucked inside.

 The mechanism is a simple press button arrangement to bring the battery in contact with the bulb, giving a clear bright light.

I can clearly recall these being sold on the counter of a Bike and Toy shop on Mill Street, Dingle in Liverpool around 1968, what a shame I can't revisit those great times!

originally published December 2016