ULYSSES'S SAUCER

 

This old tin and plastic saucer toy looks fun. There could be something missing on the top. Seen on Todocollecion it was described as Ulysses 31, which has been mentioned before on MC but a show I never saw. Did you like it readers, the show?

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SIXTEEN 12 'WARGAMES' EPISODE SET

As I’m getting close to catching up with the current releases so far of Sixteen 12’s Episode sets, here are some photos I posted fairly recently of the Sixteen 12 ‘Wargames’ episode set.

The set features a laser scorched Eagle and a Mark IX Hawk.

For my original photos of the prototypes, I showed both the models against an outer space background, as I could really only show what the set would comprise of. For the photos of the finished models, I wanted to show them off in different and slightly more enhanced surroundings.

The Hawk  doesn’t have any obvious landing gear so, inspired by some of the fan-built model Hawk landing pads I’ve seen at convention model shows over the years I thought I’d scratch- build a small landing cradle  myself for my own smaller version.  Then I built what is supposed to be a space station hangar diorama to fit it in, taking some inspiration from the Moonbase Alpha Eagle Hangar.  

At just under 8” (200mm) long, the ABS  plastic Sixteen 12 Hawk is smaller and much lighter than the die cast Eagle which is just less than 12” (300mm), and is designed to be in scale with the Eagle.

In spite of its size though, it does have some lovely and intricate detailing, perfect for those who prefer a ready-made display model without the hassle of putting it all together!

The set comes with a battle damaged Eagle; however the laser blast scorches are quite subtle. If I’m honest I would have liked to have seen the Eagle with more obvious blast marks, and maybe a damaged leg pod.

One small detail worth mentioning is that Sixteen 12 has added black paint under the leg pods which has been missing for some reason on previous sets.  

SON AL GUARDIAN RIDER: RODEO NASTY?

 

This Guardian Rider by Son Al Toys is a hotch-potch of styles and origins I reckon, a classic cheapo mash-up but fascinating nonetheless.

From the box art it looks like there was a spider - this one - and horse and a robot too.

What do think readers? What are its origins? Is it ugly? Ideal for Xmas?

BRIAN'S GLASS FISH

I have a house full of them. Here's a few.

Brian F 

NJ USA

OODLES

 A handful of doodles I've cobbled together this year using Paint.

Do you doodle?

COMBAT SOLDIERS: HEADS UP

 When I saw this lovely old rack packet online I thought, Combat Soldiers, that rings a bell. The basic and attractive header art too.

Its this vintage header for Combat Soldier I was thinking of. I really like this kind of simple header art. To me they are works of art!

Have you any header art like this readers?

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SIXTEEN 12 'INFERNAL MACHINE' EPISODE SET

 Another look at the Sixteen 12 episode set, ‘The Infernal Machine’.

This set comprises of a standard Eagle Transporter and grey loading platform display; Alpha Moon buggy; Eagle Beak Alpha Tank and Flatbed Alpha Tank.  

Some have mentioned they would have liked to have seen a model of ’Gwent’,  the Infernal Machine itself in the set but maybe that proved impractical for reasons I don’t know. Anyway, the tanks have always been popular with fans judging by the number of excellent unlicensed models that have appeared over time.

Three laser tanks were built for the episode by Martin Bower, using 1/25 scale Tamiya Chieftain tank kits for the lower hull.

It’s assumed in Space: 1999 mythos that the laser tanks are adapted lunar construction vehicles, and converted at some point post-breakaway to provide additional ground defences.

I’ve included a couple of photos I’ve taken of the actual filming props, with my thanks to each of their owners who were happy to display them at ‘Smallspace’, and ’Fab Worlds’.

Several Eagles appear in the episode. Two armed Eagles attack Gwent, which end up suffering superficial damage, and Eagle 4 which is used to carry supplies to the Gwent ship. Later in the episode Gwent quells an attack from Moonbase Alpha which carries out a full scale assault using Eagles and Laser tanks.

In the episode a mechanical megalomaniac called Gwent, whose outer appearance is an outlandish space craft lands near Moonbase Alpha.  Aboard is a single dying occupant, named Companion who tells the Alphans he is Gwent’s creator. However, over time Gwent has evolved to be dominated by the negative aspects of its personality.  When Companion finally dies, Gwent, afraid of an empty and isolated existence needs a new companion and wants one of the Alphans to fill the vacancy!

The episode, written by Anthony Terpiloff and Elizabeth Barrows takes its name from the 1934 play; The Infernal Machine by Jean Cocteau, which itself was based on Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex. 

I should mention that the third ‘Dome’ Laser Tank model comes with the Sixteen 12 Breakaway part 2 episode set. The original P.E. driverless ‘Dome ‘ Tank which came with the Product Enterprise Deluxe Eagle Gift set credits  Ian Crichton and Bill Oram as model makers on that particular set. The two laser tanks in the Infernal Machine set were created by Sixteen 12 using 3D Cad drawings scanned from a larger 1:24 scale model.

                                                                      Original Props

NOVELTY TORCHES: SHINE A CHRISTMAS LIGHT!

Blimey, I saw this on an old auction and saved the pic. I SO recall novelty torches like this, probably got at Christmas. 

I may have even have had a clown face!

I certainly remember some monsters faces that clipped on the front of the torch back in the Sixties. The torch wasn't very big I don't think.

Ring any bells readers?