JUST ONE GONDOLA

 

I'm pretty sure my parents had a gondola like this.

A wooden boat that doubled as a music box and a cigarette dispenser. 

It may have even been a souvenir from the Med.

Did your folks have fancy goods like this readers?

LITTLE AND LARGE COCKNEY CABS

Hello Woodsy

Further to the Hot Wheels: Little and Large post, Mattel issued little versions of early Hot Wheels cars some years ago.

Here is one of my original Cockney Cabs from the 70's with the small version. The Cockney Cabs II range is also pictured for scale.

Terranova47

USA

REMEMBER THE FLYING BATCAVE?

 A few photos I took way back in 2016 of the Eaglemoss Flying Batcave; part of the Batman Automobilia collection.

The Flying Batcave first appeared in Detective comics #186(August 1952), and made a second appearance in Detective Comics # 317 (July 1963) 

The cockpit is fitted with pilot seats which convert into 'Whirly Bats'. Behind those is the large 'Observascope', along with a giant magnifying glass.

The Flying Batcave is not unlike the TARDIS, in that inside is impossibly packed with an array of gadgetry to help the dynamic duo fight crime above Gotham City.

Housed inside the strange looking craft is a compartment filled with observation screens to monitor the Gotham streets, below.

There's even a garage with a mini version of the Batmobile; a trophy room; sleeping quarters, and a galley.

Incredibly, it's also fitted with a giant grab-claw and electromagnet, as well as a miniature submersible!

And just for good measure, there are illuminated bat signals either side of the hull, and it can create a cloud around itself to sneak up on the villains!

Holy Incredulous!

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2016/06/eaglemoss-flying-batcave.html

THE KANTO CHOO CHOO OVERLAND EXPRESS

This is the Choo-Choo Overland Express, #5322, Kanto Toys, Japan. One of the more common of the late-model tin locomotives to come out of Japan, often confused with another “Overland Express” by the same company, but so pretty!

Rob Craig
USA

SCREENGRAB!

 Its always nice to know when someone special has checked out the blog and likes my Space: 1999 Eagle photos.

EAGLEMOSS SIDE BOOSTER EAGLE

 As I previously covered the Sixteen 12 ‘New Adam, New Eve’ episode set, which features the additional side boosters, last Monday on the blog, I thought I ‘d review the new Eaglemoss Eagle with its own side boosters.

I’ve already reviewed the first of the Eaglemoss Eagles, and I had to say the quality control was lacking in certain areas. I did manage to get it replaced, but even the replacement has its issues!

Now, I had a dilemma: Do I take a punt on the second release?

Obviously, these models are more affordable alternatives to the Sixteen 12 versions, and as Eaglemoss is constantly having flash sales, finding it at less than half its usual price was certainly an incentive.

So, what’s the verdict on their side booster version?

Out of the box at first glance it looks fine. It’s still sports its overall light grey colour, as opposed to white. Close examination, and I mean close shows that the shoulder pods are ever so slightly out of alignment, but certainly not a deal breaker. The engine bells are dark gunmetal, and like the previous version, has no internal baffles.

There’s plenty of intricate detailing, and overall on its stand, it’s a pretty good display item.

Like the transport pod, the side boosters are fixed into position. They do look quite delicate, but fairly accurate to me, considering their small size.

Here are some comparison photos between the Sixteen 12 and the Eaglemoss.

Overall, I must admit I’m happier with this model. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t have anything like the quality control issues my original Eaglemoss Eagle Transporter had.

What I’m hoping for now is that Eaglemoss come up with a good flash sale deal on their third release, the Laboratory Eagle!

Estes Model Rockets

Hi,

Here is another model company history from Maxsmodels. This time covering Estes, which made actual flying rockets. 

Even to someone who knows nothing about model rocketry, like me, this is a great item. A model rocket designer named Orville Carlisle teamed up with a White Sands Missile Range safety officer named G. Harry Stine to produce model rockets. 

Vern and Gleda Estes were brought in to manufacture the rocket engines. Later they produced complete rockets.. Vern Estes had a background in fireworks, as his parents were fireworks wholesalers, so the move in to model rockets was hardly a giant leap. 

Their product range included the Cineroc, equipped with an 8 mm movie camera.

Anyone got an Estes rocket?

(1) Estes model rockets: a brief history - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

T IN A CIRCLE CITY OF FIRE CAR MYSTERY

I've always liked the T in a Circle Amphibious Car. Here's one I saw on an old auction.

At first glance it all seemed OK.

But ..... that's not a T in a Circle car!

I thought it might be a variation of the Schuco Amphibio, the West German toy that T in a Circle copied originally, but its not that.

 I think now its the toy car used in Thunderbirds's City of Fire as part of the fire tenders, which we've covered a few times, including a toy's correct box revealed 11 years ago.

The brand name is still a mystery. Check the link here.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2010/03/thunderbirds-fire-tender-and-toy.html