SPANISH ANDERSONALIA

 Some nice examples of old Gerry Anderson collectables from Spain.

Gull Wing Doors

Hi

          Some time ago you mentioned gull-wing doors on cars, and asked exactly what they are. So here are some shots of a Mercedes Benz 300SL, showing this type of door.

The real 300SL dates back to the 1950s. Due to the design of the chassis, the car could not be given normal, full depth doors. Instead it had short doors, which included part of the roof section. 

When the doors opened upwards, they took part of the roof with them, allowing enough space to enter or exit - as long as you were careful not to hit your head. The later convertible version of the 300SL did have more normal doors.

This type of door is still found on some modern cars, usually very low Supercars. With the doors open, they resemble the wings of a gull, when seen head-on.

This model is from the German company Siku, although it is Made in China. Siku models are a little larger than Matchbox or Hot Wheels, but not as big as Corgis or Dinkys. 

The model is posed in its packaging with the doors open, a small piece of clear plastic being used to hold them open, and show off this special feature.

White metal body and doors, red plastic interior, and black plastic base. Excellent tampo printing. Length 84 mm.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

KEV'S SHADO

Hi,

Just saw the post about Dinky Shado mobile variations. Here is a shot of my original, bought for me when I was a kid and still in my possession now!

Positive track,

Kevin

UK

DINKY 353 SHADO 2 MOBILE - CHASSIS DIFFERENCES BY RICHARD

Everyone knows about the smooth / ribbed roof [on the Dinky SHADO2 Mobile], but on the early castings of the chassis, at the rear there are two pillars that connect to the Main Body.

On both these chassis pillars there are six drilled holes (see enclosed pics) . These pillars do not connect flush to the main body at the back doors.

On later castings, this drilled pillar chassis was deleted and a smooth solid pillars chassis was used, with both pillars joining flush to the main body at the back doors. (see pics)

I guess the drilled pillar chassis was only for the first casting run, as in my 30 plus years of collecting & attending fairs I have only come across 5 or 6 with this feature.

I have both types in my collection, & I can only assume Dinky changed the design as perhaps the die would wear out quicker, by being more intricate, having it smoother would be simpler & having the pillars flush to the body would perhaps give more strength to the toy ??

As best I can recollect, & viewing my own, this drilled pillar chassis was only ever with the brick red/brown roller wheels - my version has the ribbed roof.

1st 2 pics courtesy of "Dinky TV Space.com"

Cheers !

Richard

BIULD YOUR OWN ANCIENT WOTAN

 

A CARD FOR WOTE FROM PAUL McCAFFREY

JOHN SENTOVIC ART FOR CONVAIR GENERAL DYNAMICS

I've been admiring these gorgeous old illustrations I saw on Ebay and Pinterest I think.

They were painted by John Sentovic of the USA in the late 50's/ early 60's.

They were commercial illustrations for Convair General Dynamics.

There's so much of all the iconic space toys we love in these early artist's impressions.

Do you like them readers?

VADER WAITS BY THE PHONE

THE DARK LORD SITS PATIENTLY, HOPING FOR HIS INVITE TO WOTAN'S PARTY. HE'S CANCELLED A DATE WITH THE RANCOR MONSTER SO HE COULD GO!