MARK'S AVRO LANCASTER KIT

 My mate Mark recently commenced on a mission to build his Father-in-Law's Avro Lancaster B Mk.I/III model kit by Tamiya.

I shall update the blog as Mark makes progress this week.

Have you got one of these kits?

ARTO'S AMAZING VINTAGE MOON SPACE TOYS

Reader and space collector Arto has recently won three gorgeously vintage space toys: 

1. a 4-diorama boxed set Exploring on the Moon, 
2. Mini Space Toy Series set on card
3. Mini Wind-Up boxed Sparking Moon Probe.

They're quite wonderful and Arto has kindly shared pictures of this fabulous bundle. Enjoy!

Ranetta Sub Surfaces

A good while ago, I came across an amazing battery powered submarine by spanish company Ranetta. As it had more than a little Project Sword vibe about it, I rebranded it as a Sea Sword.

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2018/09/from-depths.html?m=1

Very rarely appearing for sale, one popped up on ebay last month and I flagged it up to Kevin D, as I knew he was a fan of the toy and he snapped it up. It had slight damage to the rudder, but in Kevins capable hands it was soon fully restored!

 

CROMFORD MILLS PHOTOS

 One of the things I've really missed since the Covid 19 pandemic is going to the various conventions, model events and comic marts, and meeting up in person with like-minded folk.

I did manage to get to a very enjoyable event this year, in a beautiful picturesque location - Cromford Mills near Matlock in Derbyshire.

I got to see and chat with quite a few familiar faces, and took a few photos of the displays.

Here's a few reminders.

REDBOX SPACE ACTON ASTRONAUT

I saw this online and it brought back memories of my own Redbox astronaut and deep sea diver in their characteristic triangular carton.

We've featured many of these over the years and they always make me think of Christmas, getting one on Christmas morning back in the mid to late Sixties.

Did you have one?

Did you have any other Action Man type figures?

Xmas Deliveries

 The great thing about online shopping is that I can always sneak in a few extra parcels to be delivered! In amongst my gift shopping, I found my way to ebay and picked up one or two choice items, notably this Hot Wheels Super Rig - the Aero Blast Truck.

Very reminiscent of the automotive designs of Luigi Colani, the Aero Blast has swept curves and almost no hard angles at all. The windscreen is super minimal and almost reminiscent of a star wars trooper helmet.

The rear container is ideally suited to carrying a standard size car and when new, these models generally come with a accessory vehicle of some kind.

GEEK SALAD: LOFT CHRISTMAS

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I've posted some prezzies and written some cards for the family and after going home again to get my forgotten wallet I actually got them to the post office.

Most of the stuff we've bought online as gifts has arrived except the main one for Moonbase Junior our Grandson, a new Microscope. Despite a second one being sent out by the company neither have arrived yet and the first one was returned to the supplier severely damaged in transit! At this rate we'll have to give him a magnifying glass we got in a cracker last Christmas! Have you got everything you need?

Speaking of damaged goods, I went to see Spider-Man No Way Home last night in a very empty screening with my friend. At two and half hours long it was a bit of a chore to get through as it seemed like a mess to me. Marvel have thrown everything in it except Steve Ditko's kitchen sink! There were some enjoyable parts and the small kids in the audience clearly liked it going on the whoops we heard. If you're a big Spidey fan then you'll no doubt love it. At £15 entry I personally regret not seeing Ghostbusters Afterlife instead! Do you go to the cinema readers?

Another hefty price tag was the £4.40 I've paid this lunch for a battered cod. I'd forgotten how much a single fish would be. Still, with plenty pf salt and vinegar and a round of bread and butter flanked by a mug of hot tea it was a tasty treat at the start of my Christmas fortnight break, Do you like chippy fish?

After writing a few more cards I plan to go into the attic and find a model airport building that's hiding in there somewhere. It'll make a fun setting for my newly restored bodgemobile number two. Thinking of the attic reminds me of how I used to listen to audio tapes and radio programmes whilst I was selling full-time on Ebay back in the mid-noughties. A couple of them from back then spring to mind.

One was called Zap I recall, a one-off radio programme hosted by Alice Cooper, who was talking about the history of comic books. I remember taping it on my old Matsui music centre but for the life of me I cannot find that tape, probably because I had a cassette purge a few years back and it may have been binned. Anyone recall Alice Cooper's Zap?

Another thing I like to listen to were horror audio tapes. The ghost stories of MR. James and the tales of Poe and Le Fanu like the Cask of Amontillado, one of my favourites. It was great fun listening to Poe whilst wrapping my Ebay sales up in the attic office. Did you listen to audio tapes? I wonder if you ever bought anything off me on Ebay? Over the many years I did it I went by the names of Moon Zero Toys, Outerspaceman and Madaboutmonsters.

Ah well, time for some more Yorkshire tea!

MORE PLASTIC MODEL T FORDS

 Yet more old plastic toy Model T Fords - at least I think they are! The plastic Secret Service! And both remote controlled!

Have you seen any more model T's?