TINPLATE TRAFFIC CONTROL SET

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 pix.

Traffic Control Set: From Hungary (I think?) and/or marketed by Technofix Germany, this is a very cool layout with many routes for the car and the bus to travel. 

Even better, thanks to some buttons and levers, the cars can be made to stop and take different routes. This one is missing all the upright accessories like road signs and stop lights, and the levers are non-working in most cases, but the vehicles still roar around the track until they bump into each other! 

And that litho is too cool for words...

Rob Craig

USA

HAS THUNDERBIRDS GONE?

While there are still plenty of fans of the original Thunderbirds TV series, I'm not sure now whether there is still much of an interest in the CGI Thunderbirds are Go version . I believe repeats are still being shown on early morning on ITV, here in the UK, so maybe there is with younger viewers.

I must admit, I still like the toys, but apart from that I've pretty much left it behind.

What about you?

Godzilla Playing Cards

Hi

Max from Max's Models is a fan of old and new monster movies. Someone sent him a set of Godzilla playing cards, which he shows off at the end of this Max's Models After Hours video, 5/28/21. Each has a different Godzilla movie poster on it, from different countries. A beautiful set. Thought you might like to have a look.

(1) Max's Models after hours 5/28/21 - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

CORGI CRIME-FIGHTING BLACK BEAUTY

 Another few previously published photos from a post I did a while back this time featuring the Corgi crime-fighting Green Hornet Black Beauty.

Here's the original link to my more in depth Corgi Black Beauty post:

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2019/03/corgi-green-hornet-crime-fighting-black.html

Home Vac-forming Machine

Hi,

  I had heard of the Mattel Vac-u-form machine from the 1960s, but did not realise that similar machines are still available from craft shops. While looking for something else entirely, I came across these items. The machine shown does require an ordinary domestic vacuum cleaner to provide the vacuum. 

They should be useable with normal plastic sheet (cut to size), either to create items to use directly, or to make moulds for plaster, chocolate, soap, etc. The size of the items you can mould is limited, but it would still be a great item for many jobs, such as moulding new clear canopies for model aircraft or space toys, once you have carved a master from balsa wood. Moulding from an existing item would likely run in to copyright issues, but for personal use only it may be OK. 

I would say you should play around with one of these machines, and regard your first attempts at moulding as experiments, until you get the hang of things. Do not expect your first few attempts to turn out perfectly. If you want a home vac-forming machine for small jobs, these things are available. This is available in NZ at $190. Something else to save up for.

Mold Press by We R Memory Keepers - YouTube

Mold Press Vacuform Machine Review - YouTube

How to Vacuum Form Like a Pro | We R Mold Press Machine - YouTube

We R Memory Keepers Mold Press! How to get a great press tutorial:) - YouTube

Mold Press - We R Memory Keepers - Creativation 2020 - YouTube

Yours Sincerely,

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Lost in Space - Gemini 12 Miniature

Hi

          Here is another You Tube clip. This one is on the spaceship from Lost in Space, and is called the Gemini 12 rather than the Jupiter 2. Gemini 12 was apparently the name used in the original pilot for the series, with the revised Jupiter 2 being used in the actual series. 

Shots of the Gemini 12 were sometimes used in the series, as the two were very similar. There is a list of the craft used on the Lost in Space Wiki.

Transportation List | Lost in Space Wiki | Fandom

The You Tube film covers the miniature, which was four feet in diameter. It covers how the model was flown on wires, how it was filmed in a meteor shower (hung vertically, and the meteors dropped past the ship), and the colour of paint used - dull aluminium. 

The changes made to the Gemini 12 design to turn it into the larger Jupiter 2. Then the use of the miniature as a prop on Lost in Space, and its conversion into a futuristic building for the movie City Beneath the Sea. Finally, its sale and restoration. A great video.

RESTORING THE GEMINI 12 - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

SEA SERPENTS 40 YEARS APART!

 1926

1967

How cool is that!

POLAR LIGHTS BLACK BEAUTY

Although I've already done an in-depth post on the Green Hornet's Black Beauty a while back I  thought I'd repost some of the photos of my Polar Lights Black Beauty kit.

Here's my original Black Beauty post.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2019/03/polar-lights-black-beauty-lets-roll.html