TOYS 1973

 

What do you remember?

Thunderbird 7: The Blog Effect?

Bill talks about the blog effect now and then so when I saw this I wondered if this would be a case in point as the effect usually involves misquoting MC content.

Thunderbirds Wiki have a description of a Fantasy Thunderbird 7 at the bottom of their their JR21 toys section https://thunderbirds.fandom.com/wiki/JR_21_Toys_(J.Rosenthal)

The idea of a fantasy Thunderbird 7 is OK as it stands, as one was released as a model kit. But it was released by Imai and not JR21. The photograph shown is a one-off custom created by erstwhile blog contributor Ferryman for his own entertainment, which we featured here in 2009!

https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2009/06/jr21-thunderbird-7-toy-and-custom-box.html

JR21 themselves never released a Thunderbird 7.

So is Thunderbirds Wiki's gaff the blog effect?

The Imai Thunderbird 7 is actually the Project SWORD Beetle, which I described many times on MC including here in 2014 https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2014/04/new-origins-of-project-sword-toys.html

DID THE DINKY OR JR21 FAB1 APPEAR IN THUNDERBIRDS?

My query yesterday about the size of the Thunderbird front-end 2 prop used by Century 21 got me thinking about the size of FAB1's used in Thunderbirds.

Specifically I've been wondering if they ever used the toy versions of FAB1 in the show? - For distance shots maybe and namely the Dinky and JR21 FAB1's, both available from 1966 onwards I think.

There's no mention of them in Marc J. Fratassio's resume of the models used in Thunderbirds

http://www.lestersdomain.org/superm/tech/sfx/tbirds/models2.html

or his gallery of die-casts used in the show

http://www.lestersdomain.org/superm/tbirds/diecasts-gallery.html and http://www.lestersdomain.org/superm/tbirds/diecasts.html

so its probably a non-starter.

image: ewbank auctions

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