SANTA VISITS CANDY AND ANDY!

Its those cuddly Bearandas again and their little ones on Christmas morning 1968! 

Bye Santa!

I wonder where he's off to?

CANDY AND ANDY AND THE LOST HEDGEHOG

Contributor and C21 book collector Bernard Dunne has kindly sent me these pictures of his Candy And Andy Story Book (Number BGB1) published by Century 21 Publishing in 1968.

The title on the title page is different from the title on the cover.

It's dimensions are 9 x 12 Inches.

Did you have this book as a kid readers or read Candy and Andy books and comics?

SIXTEEN 12 SPECIAL EDITION WHITE MK IX HAWK

As an addition to yesterday's Sixteen 12  'Wargames' Episode set post, here's another look at the photos I’ve taken of the Sixteen 12 ‘Wargames’ Special Edition White Mk IX Hawk.

As most Space: 1999 fans will know, the original model Hawk props, designed by Brian Johnson and built by Martin Bower were originally painted white as per instructions, but following delivery to the studio it was decided viewers might confuse the Hawks with the white Eagles during the ‘Wargames’ space battle scenes, so the more familiar orange paint scheme was applied, although a few pre-publicity photos of the White Hawk did appear.

In spite of its single appearance, the Mk IX Hawk has certainly proved a fan favourite, and over time some magazines and comics have given the Hawk spacecraft various historical back stories relating to the Space: 1999 universe.

Probably the most notable came from the American ‘Starlog’ magazine during the late seventies/early eighties, which did champion Space: 1999 at the time.  The magazine’s writers concocted an ‘imagined’ detailed history suggesting that the Hawk is a further development of the SHADO Interceptor from Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s previous series, UFO, with upgraded Mark 10 Hawks  stationed in the orbiting Space Dock, (Starlog writers  christened the dock, Centuri ) until the Dock’s destruction, as seen in the opening 1999 episode, Breakaway!  

While I don’t really buy into the UFO connection, I do like the idea that the Hawks operate and are despatched from a space station.

The question has been asked by some as to why Earth needed a fleet of elite fighter spacecraft.  A hint in the series might be in the second season 1999 episode, The Rules of Luton, in which John Koenig recounts to Maya how his wife had sadly died during a terrible global (and presumably a space) war that took place in 1987. At its end all prejudice was apparently wiped out, and survivors witnessed the rise of a new and enlightened civilization!

CHRISTMAS BONANZA

Hi

         From You Tube is a video featuring an ad for the American Character line of Bonanza figures, based on the US TV series. This ad is clearly intended for toy retailers, and is not a normal TV ad aimed at customers. There were four figures and their horses. Ben Cartwright, his sons Hoss and Little Joe, and a villain named Six-Gun Slade.

 According to the Skooldays site this figure was originally to have been son Adam Cartwright, but when actor Pernell Roberts left the series in 1965, his figure was re-cast as a villain. There is also a 4-in-1 wagon, with parts and accessories for four different versions.

The You Tube video is dated early 1970s, but that is doubtful, as Bonanza was on US TV from 1959 to 1973, and the ad says 'America's number one TV family for five years', which suggests mid-1960s. Also, if the villain was originally intended to be Adam, the line must be a lot earlier than the 1970s.

(1) Early 70's Toy TV Commercial - YouTube

Bonanza action figures: Old Memories (skooldays.com)

Paul Adams from New Zealand

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