MOONBASE CENTRAL

Tuesday, 26 January 2021

SIXTEEN 12 MICRO FREIGHTER EAGLE

Some more preview photos of the Sixteen 12 Micro Eagle prototypes, and this one is the Freighter Eagle. All these prototypes are apparently created as 3D printed models and are quite fragile. (The final production models won't have these issues) On their way to me for photography, the models did get knocked about a bit in transit, so don't be surprised if a couple of the leg pods, or the alloy engine bells look a tad out of alignment; I confess, that's down to me gluing parts back in place a little less than perfect. The finished model is 51/2" long, and comes with 6x Nuclear canisters with working magnetic clamp; A detachable cargo pod, with removable winch mechanism, and a Moonbase Alpha Moonbuggy.

TV21 TOMMY BUSTER EXTRA

Hi Woodsy, in answer to your question about the century 21 Tommy buster gun, I bought it nearly 40 years ago at the toy fair in Cuffley. It came with this photocopy of the TV 21 advert for it.

Will Osborne

WILL OSBORNE'S WONDERFUL ELF TOYS TRACY ISLAND: THE FINAL PRODUCT

Hi Woodsy,

This is the production version of Elf Toys Tracy Island.

As you can see I’ve taken some pictures as it is, and some with the Rosenthal Thunderbirds toys in situ as they would have been displayed in the shop window.

The plywood base underneath is original as are the small diving board, Thunderbird 2’s launch ramp and the palm trees.

Will O.

FLASHPOINT: DOLLARS IN THE DESERT

I've been enjoying re-watching an old film. Flashpoint is a 1984 flick about two Texas Border patrolmen, who unearth an old jeep in the desert. It contains a skeleton, a rifle and 800, 000 dollars dated 1963.

I won't spoil anything. If you like conspiracy films like Capricorn One or Edge of Darkness then you'll like Flashpoint.

It stars ever-young Kris Kristofferson and Hair's Treat Williams. They remind me of a serious version of the two oddjobbers in Tremors. With its central hook of loot found on the land it sits well with No Country for Old Men and a Simple Plan.

There are lots of Jeeps in Flashpoint and I couldn't help thinking of my hill-climbing Hurdler toy jeep released by Century 21 Toys.

Have you got a Hurdler, a jeep - toy or actual - or maybe you've seen Flashpoint too?

PRODUCT ENTERPRISE SKYDIVER

A few previously published photos of my P.E. SHADO Skydiver. I wonder if Sixteen 12 might re-release it, with a new specially made display stand like they've done for their UFO.

WILL OSBORNE'S PROTOTYPE ELF TOYS TRACY ISLAND

Hi Woodsy,

This is the first prototype of the Elf toys Tracy Island .

It was made circa 1965 by Philip Hall, who designed for Elf toys, after a visit to the AP studios of Gerry Anderson to look at the Tracy Island film set and agree licensing terms.

I’ve put a couple of dinky toys Thunderbirds in to give some scale. The finished production model was bigger, with separate buildings to fit the JR 21 plastic Thunderbirds toys.

The original toy islands were painted at the local mental hospital as part of the patient’s rehabilitation. The original production run was probably less than 500, according to Ted Hall of Heritage Playsets (formerly Elf Toys) who is Ted Hall’s nephew.

They were on general sale through toy shops, although many used them as window displays for the J.Rosenthal plastic Thunderbirds toys.

Regards,

Will O.

Monday, 25 January 2021

SIXTEEN 12 MICRO EAGLE TRANSPORTER & LAUNCH PAD

Sixteen 12 have announched that their Moonbase Alpha Micro Eagle Launch Pad which features lights and sounds, is now in production. The pad has a motorised docking tube which connects with a Micro Eagle 1 Transporter, and features original dialogue and sound effects from the series. The Micro set range will also feature a Rescue Eagle,Laboratory Eagle with Booster rockets, V.I.P.Eagle and Eagle Freighter, which will be sold seperately. There is also a hope to add and expand the range to include other ships seen in Space:1999, like the Hawk and the Swift, as well as other classic Space:1999 guest ships. Here's some photos of the prototype models.