HAVE TOY FAIRS STARTED UP AGAIN?

Has anyone been to a toy fair lately? Are they up and running in your neck of the world?

How about the UK? Have they started up again?

The Phantom Flyer

Hi

Did someone once mention this year a British comic character called The Phantom Flyer, about a Spitfire in the Battle of Britain? Peter Oxley has posted some of these on his site. The stories first appeared in Warlord comic in the 1970s.

'The Phantom Flyer' Battle of Britain illustrated strip - YouTube

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Parker, Well Done

Just been to a local 'antiques' emporium (or as my wife calls it - posh car boot stalls) in Bygone Times. Originally it sold architectural salvage and vintage goods, but has recently become a large curio store with a mix of vintage and second hand goods. I would hesitate to say antiques, but there are some stalls inside with items which could be classed as antique.

In one corner is a stand with a lot of recent Anderson memorabilia and the odd bit of vintage ware too. High up on the wall hangs what seems to be a FAB1 Pedal Car, or possibly a smaller 'ride on' vehicle from a roundabout. Its  been there years and isn't priced, so I assume it belongs to the stallholders display.

Amongst the other stalls were all kinds of other 'collectables', mostly catering to the grey pound - lots of wartime memorabilia, books, stamps, postcards, tools etc. One or two toy stalls with vastly inflated prices for the older items too. 

Not much to interest me, apart from a few diecasts, a space book and a nice wooden totem pole. I also saw a nice sixties paint box with a large space scene on the tin, but at £25, left it where it was.

To add to the vintage feel, there are a lot of penny slotmachines which can be operated, like the gypsy fortuneteller  and odd animated tableaus like 'haunted house', 'The Burglar' and 'The Mediums Parlour'.

 

EAGLEMOSS LABORATORY EAGLE

 Here's a few photos of the Eaglemoss Laboratory Eagle.

Like the other two Eaglemoss Eagles, the pod is fixed, and the model comes finished in a distinctive light grey colour rather than diamond white. As I've mentioned before, while it probably annoys the purists, I quite like the light grey colour as it gives the Eaglemoss Eagles a unique look.

 It has plenty of detailing, and comes with a removable  display stand. Each model comes with same booklet describing the Eagle and its function.

I find the Laboratory Pod version the most impressive of the three variations of Eagle models so far released.

I don't how well these models have sold but I'd be happy to see a few more variations brought out as long as they push for a bit of quality control.

 The first Eagle Transporter I got originally had a fair number of quality control issues, so much so resulting in me having to have a replacement sent . With the second release, the side-booster Eagle, again it had some minor issues , but was certainly an improvement. 

 Unsurprisingly this Laboratory Eagle has a couple of niggly alignment imperfections; the portside front landing pad isn't quite level. That's something I can live with as they are suppose to move depending on the terrain, and one of the Pod's support legs isn't in line with the other three. There's also  a similar issue with the engine bells. 

Obviously these models are a lot cheaper than the far superior Sixteen 12 versions, and I think its fair to say that Eaglemoss don't appear to have the best record when it comes to quality control (I speak from experience having subscribed to the Batman Automobillia set!) But, overall I feel these Eagle models are a welcome addition to the collection, and I'm glad that there's still a few manufacturers out there who are still happy and willing to produce new Space: 1999 merchandise.

ESTRELA ROBO COM TV

 

I've blogged this before but its so nice I can't resist!

This Estrela box has artwork which includes some Tri-ang SpaceX vehicles no less!

The robot has them too on his chest TV.

These pictures are from a South American auction site.

Have you got one of the robots readers?

MONKEY BUSINESS!

Just in the middle of setting up a diorama for some more Space: 1999 Eagle model photos and couldn't resist...!

2001: L'odysee de L'espace

Hi Woodsy. Here's a large French 2001 Space Odyssey film poster.

It must be about 6ft x4ft!

Will Os

UK

Will Osborne's Buddy Comics

Hi Woodsy, Just come across these Buddy comics. I'd never heard of them before but the young star hawk spaceships look quite cool! They're 1982 vintage so a bit after my time. 

Do readers know them?

Will Os.

UK