Batman Soap Box Derby Crash!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyVERMJ_tjg

Check out this spectacular Batmobile race and crash!

What do you think?

Regards

MJ

UK

Eldon Scenics Photos: Moon Survey

Hi

I asked Max, from maxsmodels about the Eldon scenic kits, and he said that someone had sent him photos of the Moon Survey set, which had appeared in one of his Viewer's Builds videos. I looked through these and found the one he was referring to. It was the first in the series (now up to 13), dated 26th July 2020.

Max's Models viewer's builds - YouTube

This is an 18 minute slide show of still photos that people have sent him of their models. At 9:56 is a very clear photo of the Eldon 3-D Scenics Moon Survey box top. Then three close-up shots of the completed model. Very nice.

The set came with a brown wood-grain picture frame, moulded (vac-from ?) lunar surface, printed backscene with the Earth in clear view, two Astronauts, and a Moon Beetle robot with legs. It came with Testors brand paints, cement, thinners, and brush. Overall size 19 inches by 12 inches. These are the best photos I have seen of this set.

The Lunar set seems to have been released in late 1966, in time for Christmas. Therefore well before the real Apollo missions, so the spacesuits and equipment do not show what was actually used on the Moon, but an early vision of what they might look like. The Sea Lab set was available at about the same time, but I am not sure if the announced Prehistoric set was actually released, as I have not been able to find anything on it besides a mention in Eldon advertising.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

THE MARX HONEYMOON COTTAGE

Woodsy,

I visited a friend’s house recently, and we played “Show and Tell” with some of his vintage toys, all saved from childhood. I thought MBC readers would like to see pics.

Honeymoon Cottage: From 1966 comes this groovy Marx import, and the Honeymoon train goes around and around. These were maybe $1 at dime stores like Woolworth’s back in the day - I had one very similar, called Honeymoon Express.

Rob Craig

USA

A WHOLE NEW REALM OF BODGING AND SCATCHING DOWN UNDER

Hi Woodsie! I was intrigued by your post about bodging and scratching. Since I started down the rabbit hole of 3D Modelling and printing, my finish quality has gone to a whole new level.

Here is an x-ray version of R2 D2 that I created in Sketchup. This was all printed as a single piece (although I'm working on joints that will allow me to create a poseable action figure)

I wanted to create something that looked exactly like a manufactured toy, so I tried to simulate a vacuum metallised finish. The toy is painted in high gloss black, then a thin coating of Aclad II chrome paint is airbrushed on to create the lustrous shiny effect. I followed up with brush painting details with Tamiya Transparent Blue.

The package was inspired by the fact that one of my prints partially failed, resulting in a club footed robot! I took one of my printed robots and pressed a folded sheet of aluminium foil over it. I then poured plaster into the foil mould and sanded and sealed the resulting plaster plug. I vacuum formed a plastic blister from it, using a vacuum former I built from an old vacuum cleaner!

I then laid out graphics in CorelDraw and printed them on to transparent A4 sticker film using my laser printer. I then laid the sticker onto a sheet of chrome finish card that I bought at my local newsagent. This resulted in a chrome printed backing card that I attached the bubble to with Weldbond PVA glue.

I admit the 3D printer is a fairly high tech investment, but everything else fits on quite well with your bodging and scratching theme!

Lewis

Oz

TINPLATE GREYHOUND SCENICRUISER

Woodsy,

As said, I visited a friend’s house recently, and we played “Show and Tell” with some of his vintage toys, all saved from childhood. I thought MBC readers would like to see pix.

Greyhound Scenicruiser: Don’t know the brand on this one, it wasn’t readily visible on the sides or bottom, and condition is less than good, but saved from original childhood!

Rob Craig

USA

THE DEFENDERS

Short of any big new superhero films on Netflix that I haven't seen already, I turned to their catalogue of series [or is it serials?] this week.

I've already tried Daredevil last year and got some way into it. I also had a bash at Luke Cage and Iron Fist last year too but I'm a lightweight when it comes to series stamina. I much prefer superhero films like Man of Steel or Wonder Woman [the exception being Shazam, which was atrocious].

I toyed with Jessica Jones last night [isn't there a January too?] but eventually settled on a series which appeared to mix all the above heroes in one big cocktail called The Defenders.

A Marvel mash-up like the Avengers, the Defenders is not a team I know, although it rings a comics bell - I can picture a couple of covers I think. Anyway, I jumped in.

The initial episode introduces the main players one by one: Daredevil, Luke Cage, Iron Fist with his sword-swinging sidekick and Jessica Jones. Now I'm no expert when it comes to Marvel comics but this motley crew must be one of Marvel's B-teams, of which there are no doubt a few, stoically working hard in the shadow of A-listers like Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine et al in mega-gangs like the Avengers and the X-Men. They must get cheesed off those B-listers.

Having said that Iron Fist was around when I was a Kung Fu nut in the early Seventies and I remember the comics well and Daredevil could well be classed as A-team on a good day. Jessica Jones I'd never heard of and Luke Cage for some reason makes me think of one Power Man, whoever he is!

Another crucial character in the Defenders is the head of resident bad guys, The Han, played by Sigourney Weaver no less, who is always great to see on screen. Her own prodigy and secret weapon, Black Sky I think she's called, is a superfast Katana-wielding ghost girl.

Although Black Sky and Daredevil were impressive in their respective fight scenes, my favourite skirmish had to be first contact between Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Cage is a huge strong he-man and Fist appears to be a weed until his hand glows yellow and then .... Kapow!

And it all happens without the need for any Spandex, which I really do miss! I like to see my heroes in tight-fitting rubberised suits!

I just hope my own stamina lasts and I can carry on with the Defenders this week. If I leave it too long between episodes I will get bored and move on to something else.

Have you watched the Defenders? Did you read the comics? Do you have any collectables?

DARK SHADOWS HEARSE

 

Despite never having seen dark Shadows the old TV series I'm still fascinated by the show and merchandise. Here's a cool kit of the Collins hearse. Anyone know the maker?

HOLY BAT ORNAMENT!

 As Woodsy is on a Batmobile kick, here's a couple of photos of my resin Bradford Exchange Batmobile, which lights up, and plays the 60's Batman theme - Holy tacky  Bat Collectable!