ALFA SOVIET

 

I was amazed when I saw this box of Soviet toy cars.

They're Italian designs aren't they?

🎅

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SIXTEEN 12 1:24 ALPHA MOON BUGGY

 Now that I’ve reached the end of the 12” Eagle Episode sets which have been released so far, here are a few previously published photos of the Sixteen 12 Collectables die-cast Alpha Moon Buggy which was wheeled out way back in January, 2019.

It’s a highly detailed studio scale replica around 120mm long. Although it’s marked as 1/24 scale the detailing isn’t really based on one of the actual studio special effects model. Rather it’s based on the full size live action studio prop – the real life, Amphicat, using markings more associated with Year 2 of Space: 1999.

(The Amphicat, many will remember, also featured in the late sixties Saturday morning TV children’s show, The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, as ‘Banana Buggies’)

The die-cast Sixteen 12 model has a removable highly detailed Moonbase Alpha astronaut gripping the Amphicat’s two steering levers. The helmet, labelled ‘Sissons’ has a clear orange tinted visor. The detailed back pack has an air- pipe joined to the helmet. The shoulder insignias’ is very well detailed. The astronaut gives the buggy its scale, of course. I’ve read that some of the studio buggy props would have used model astronauts from the Revell 1/24^th scale Gemini Capsule kits, the same ones used in the 44” Eagle props.

(Like many of the models seen in most Gerry Anderson’s TV series’, scale is open to much debate. When it came to studio props, there were several different sized scaled buggy models used in the series:  200mm; 120mm; 60mm and 30mm. A much larger 460mm was also used in a few Year 2 episodes)

I’ve added a photo showing the Sixteen 12 model’s dashboard detail which, on the studio prop was added to for Year 2. The side had a large ‘5’ and small ‘8’ on the side. In year 1, this was just the smaller ‘8’. Unsurprisingly, during the filming of episodes, changes did take place with the full size version, so I think it’s reasonable to say that the Sixteen 12 model is fairly accurate snapshot.

There are one or two minor, and I mean minor inaccuracies which might irk some, but are certainly not deal breakers to me. The Sixteen 12 buggy looks to have a brighter yellow colour than the studio version, not that it’s noticeable unless you happen to have a studio version nearby. Of course, the original prop’s duller colour could just be down the dust on the lunar surface set.

Something a little more obvious is the astronaut’s gloves are grey rather than white, but as the suit wrist bands are also white, I reckon the grey gloves give a little definition.

Finally, the rear aerial looks to be a little too short, maybe by around 50mm, but considering when I initially removed the model from its packaging I couldn’t find the aerial which was well hidden in the box’s wrapping paper, I think I can cope without 50mm, believe me.

MONSTER BUGGY

 Remember the Gulf Oil Marsh Buggy I've covered here a few times?

I've written about its likely links to the Project SWORD Scramble Bug.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2016/01/on-film-genesis-of-project-sword.html

So I was amazed when I saw this Hot Wheels toy called Wrecking Wheels.

Its like a Marsh Buggy!

have you got anything like this?

NEW FLYING SAUCER BY POLYPLAST

For the New Flying Saucer collector in you. This is the Greek version of the toy once released by JR21 no less.

Seen on Worthpoint.

Do you have a New Flying Saucer?

'YES, MA' LADY!' DAVID GRAHAM RECOVERING WELL FOLLOWING STROKE

Actor George Layton has tweeted that his dear friend, David Graham, famous for the voice of Parker, and the original Daleks, suffered a stroke 6 months ago  and can't get out. However, the young 96 year old is making a great recovery and doing voice work from home!

Best Wishes for a full recovery, David.

ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SIXTEEN 12 DRAGON'S DOMAIN EPISODE SET

 I’m coming to the end of the previously published photos I’ve taken of the excellent Sixteen 12 Collectables 12” die-cast Eagle sets, currently on sale.

This is the ‘Dragon’s Domain’ Episode set of photos, which I only posted last month, but hopefully some of you might be happy to see them again.

The set features an in-scale Ultra Probe Command Module. This has always been a popular design with Space: 1999 fans, especially with garage kit creators and builders. It’s certainly a good looking model, with plenty of detailing.

The Eagle that comes with the set has a detachable command module, or ‘beak’ nose cone, as seen in the episode, which magnetically attaches to the main body, helped by gently clicking it into place.

The Eagle itself has an added component not on previous Sixteen 12 versions in that the rear engines have the ring of tubing around the back of the engine bells which I believe first appeared in the opening second season episode, The Metamorph, and was fitted to supply the Freon gas to create the rocket trail effect from the engine bells.

The more pedantic fans will no doubt point out that Dragon’s Domain is a first season episode which didn’t have the tubing, but I can’t see anyone complaining, as it’s a nice addition!

The Eagle comes with a loading platform display plinth, although the base of the pod does have the locating holes, first used in the 16/12 ‘Wargames’ set, for use with an in-flight display stand.

The Dragon’s Domain episode is another fan favourite, and is, unsurprisingly inspired by the story of St George & the Dragon.

It’s interesting to me that the episode was originally to have focused on Eagle pilot, Alan Carter (played by 1999 regular, Nick Tate), giving the character a back story, but it later transpired that main star, Martin Landau wasn’t happy with the idea and persuaded the production team to rewrite it for a guest actor. 

When asked about this at the Alpha: 2014 convention, Nick diplomatically replied that, ’Martin knew how to be the star!’

Ironically, Italian, Gianni Garko who played Captain Tony Cellini, the ‘George’ of the story, was not a fluent speaker of the English language and asked Nick Tate to help him with his lines.

Other notes from the episode include that rumour has it that a model of the USS Enterprise and Doctor Who’s TARDIS were filmed as part of the spaceships graveyard scenes; could be true, but the footage was certainly never used.

Another point of interest is the scene set in Commissioner Dixon’s office on Earth was actually M’s office seen in the EON James Bond films at the time.

Some of the photos of the prototype Dragon's Domain models  I took.

Spy Show Openings of the 1960's

Hi 

               Here is an interesting clip from You Tube, a collection of openings from various TV spy shows of the 1960s. Plenty of which I saw and enjoyed, but there are several that did not make it to NZ, and several I have never even heard of before.

I wonder if there'll be any old spy shows and films on this Xmas?

(1) TV's SPY SHOW CRAZE OF THE 60s - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

WINDOW SHOPPING WITH CANDY AND ANDY

 Its Chucky and Gwynneth Paltrow!