DYNA MAN

 

This GI Joe Action Man knockoff is new to me.

Dynaman or Dyna Man.

I do like the box art on the back!

It was released by B.A.R.T.E.R!

Who were they?

Beneath the Helmet

Following on from Woodsys note about The Mandalorian series, here are a couple of models I picked up recently from the series. Above is Paz Vizsla, also referred to as 'heavy weapons mandalorian' from the episide 'The Sin'. This is from the Black Series of six inch figures, introduced by Hasbro a couple of years ago, which feature superior sculpting and detail to the standard 3" line. For the most part, they are a difficult line to collect, as is often the case, the line is full of limited editions and special figures, which is the chief reason I gave up on collecting figures back in the 90's.

Wheareas I have a full set of the standard original figures from 1977, the Power of the Force release which ran with the Special Editions if the original trilogy and featured more 'beefed up' figures, proved impossible to keep up with. Subsequent releases and lines spiralled rapidly out of control making it a very rich mans hobby to compete.

Nowadays, I don't even try to look at new figures even though there are some amazing models. The Heavy mandalorian was picked up at a discount store for a tenner and the smaller figure was found at a street stall with toys left out for passers by to take.

The Mandalorian has some gorgeous designs in the series and Boba Fett's original armour design has been expanded upon dramatically, as we see where the name and suit originally arrived from. Boba and his father Jango, were not true Mandalorians and the armour and helmet must have been acquired some time in the past.

The T shaped visor design has been around since 1978/9 when production began on Empire, with the suit originally intended for a cadre of 'supercommandos' as seen in Joe Johnstones original treatment, from the ESB Sketchbook.

Another throwback is Mando's disintegrator rifle, which was furst seen being wielded by Boba Fett in the animated short in the SW Holiday Special.

The Mandalorian's costume and armour are upgraded through the series, but he originally appears looking every inch the western gunfighter, with grubby poncho, dented armour and wide leather belts. Paz Viszla is one of the first of the tribe to show the heavy rocket pack, something which Mando comments "I got to get me one of those".

For a fan of the franchise, The Mandalorian is a geeks dream, bringing back characters, ships and situations from earlier scenes to great effect, such as IG-11, the assassin droid, the Krayt Dragon and even a weird Artoo unit with limbs!

The pre-Rogue One series Andor is showing great promise too, but Mando is a definite leader.

 

Eccentrics on the Moon

I'm just watching an old British film called Mouse on the Moon.

Starring Bernard Cribbins it tells a story of glory and fibs. The tiny state of Grand Fennick wants to send a manned DIY rocket to the moon. There's plenty of good old-fashioned buffoonery and Heath Robinson rocketry!

Reminds of those other DIY space mission movies full of eccentrics from the Sixties. The First Man in the Moon springs to mind with a bumbling Lionel Jeffries. 

Can you think of any more films like this?

IT IS THE WAY

I've finished watching the excellent Mandalorian on Disney+

As usual I'm seeing connections all over.

For instance the helmet and the armour.

I'm thinking Ancient Greek ....

or Roman!

The jet pack, Rising Pheonix, that Mando's given near the end.....

 reminded me completely of the Krygo 5 eraser from Diener's 1970's rubber range.

And those little musicals trills after Mando had finished zapping everyone is a deadringer for Clint and his little flutey signature whistle in those old Sergio Leone Westerns.

Overall the Mandalorian recalls somewhat the helmeted warrior in Timmee's Galaxy Laser Team.

What do you think?

Wonder Woman Monster Truck

Hi

Monster Trucks began in the 1970s as American pick-up trucks fitted with giant wheels. Other types of vehicle followed. Fantasy body designs also began to appear, some of them based on film, television, cartoon, and comic book characters. This gives them a Star Cars tie-in.

Some of the toy Monster Trucks produced by various die-cast companies are based on real vehicles, others are designs made up by the toy companies. This example by Monster Jam celebrates Wonder Woman. 

It has a more or less normal pick-up body, with Wonder Woman's large gold W emblazoned where the doors should be, the name Wonder Woman in gold capitals above the rear wheel arches, and her golden lasso stowed in the back. The colour scheme is red, gold, and a purplish blue. The wheel hubs are also gold.

There are a number of other Superhero Monster Trucks from both Monster Jam, and Hot Wheels.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

FAB1 AND THUNDERBIRD 2

Seeing the size of FAB1 against Thunderbird 2 on Thunderbirds Wiki it struck me that FAB1 could have easily driven into the TB2 pod.

So did FAB1 ever go into the TB2 pod in the TV series or did TB2 ever lift FAB1 and drop it off? Anyone know?

PAUL'S CUT-AWAY AIRFIX NORTH AMERICAN MITCHELL MK.II

Last year I finished my cut-away Airfix North American B-25C Mitchell medium bomber. 

All the interior detail is included in the kit. The only things I added were extra crew figures - the kit only includes the two pilots. This is a really great kit, with a lot of interior detail. It seemed such a shame to hide it all away, so I built it as a cut-away model. 

That meant cutting out various areas of the nose, fuselage, and engine cowling to show off the detail. Just like the drawings you see in books and magazines. The edges of the cut-away areas are often out-lined in red, so I did that on the model too. 

With so much of the forward fuselage cut away, there was very little room for nose weights to keep the model on its landing gear, so I build it 'gear up', in flight. That also meant cutting off the propeller blades, and just using the hubs. Then I had to make a cradle for the model from bits and pieces. This was my first attempt at a cut-away model. 

I did make a mistake with the US star on the starboard side - it should be pointing straight up, not on its side. 

I did not spot that until it was too late to correct. I used the RAF boxing of this kit, but you get all the parts needed for a basic US B-25C (with plenty left over for the spares box), so it was just a matter of finding some suitable markings.

What do you think?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Can you Help Brainache?

Local resident alien Brainache is slouchin in his coupe. The stars are out and he's dreamin of home. But what's the name of his planet. Any suggestions?