HORSING AROUND

As Scott mentioned them too, I too love the look of this Breyer Black Beauty plastic horse.

It reminds me of those fab Palitoy horses available for Action Man I had in the 60's. In fact I may have had some Breyer figurine horses as well as a kid, straddling as they do both toys and models.

Black Beauty was of course a TV show, based on the original book, which aired in 1972. I was 11 at the time, on the cusp of what was called the first year at Secondary school back then [now Year 7].

The theme tune to TV's Black Beauty is unforgettable really. Remember it?

Black Beauty shouldn't be confused with that other equine TV show, Follyfoot, an international hit, which my Missus watched on the Continent. In an odd twist of fate, Follyfoot village is about 40 minutes drive from Moonbase!

I never had any of the annuals from these shows but I often see them in charity and antique shops.

I did find a beautiful boxed black horse kit at a car boot sale years ago, Black Fury by Aurora.

Did you have any horses, plastic or otherwise? Maybe you still do?

IS THIS THE CHOICE OF THE MYSTERONS?

 I recently saw this MSV on Ebay restored by Chillypepperpike of Eastbourne. Unusually its been restored in black and brings to mind Captain Black of the Mysterons perhaps. I like it.

What do you think?

MAYBE THERE'S A MEG!

A kid said to me t'other day that when the meteor took out the dinosaurs it didn't take out those underwater. They survived.

He went on to say that for this reason it's clear that monsters like Megalodon are still kicking around in the depths of the Mariana Trench. Nessie was hinted at too!

It always amazes me what kids believe.

What do you think?

DO YOU STILL GET XMAS PRESENTS?

Now that we're all growed up, us baby boomers, do you still ask for Christmas presents from your nearest and dearest?

I don't mean those impromptu Xmas gifts that you never asked for but do you still issue a wants list or drop big hints?

Now I'm typing I suppose another questions is whether you actually still expect anything at Christmas?

The Missus and me have for the last few years just got each other a book to unwrap on the big day - to a maximum of £10.  This year with belts tightening it feels right.

As usual, any spare cash we have will go on gifts for our Grandchildren and Godchildren.

What do you do readers?

COOPER-JARRETT INTERSTATE DOUBLE FREIGHTER

 

Another familiar Lesney Matchbox toy; the Inter-State Double Freighter.

Produced from 1962 until 1967, and scaled at 1:100.

It comprises of a blue Hendrickson V-12 tractor with two silver trailers and a dolly joining the two.

The yellow & blue decals on the trailers read ‘Cooper-Jarrett, Inc’ (There are rarer versions in orange & black lettering that read , ‘Cooper-Jarrett International’, with a globe logo in the middle)

I can’t say I know a lot about the Cooper-Jarrett Inc. There’s plenty of images on the web showing Cooper-Jarrett trucks but not much info. I’m assuming it must have eventually been fairly well known internationally. All I’ve found so far is it was a small New Jersey trucking company that after turning it’s last profit in 1977, saw market forces take a down turn which led to the company going bankrupt, and eventually closing in 1981.

For us fans of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson’s TV series, this is another toy that was used as set dressing in Thunderbirds, usually seen trundling across London Airport’s apron in front of Fireflash!

THE ASTRO-LAUNCH FIGHTERSHIP

 Everythong about the Astr0-Launch Fightership says to me Major Matt Mason.

The box graphics and lettering,

The black and white colours of the toy itself.

Even the launching rotors!

Has anyone ever put a Major Mat or two beside on of these?

WERE THE BEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE AT SCHOOL?

I'm interested, were your school days the so-called best days of your life?

I personally think the old adage is misconceived. What it really means is that your childhood days were the best days of your life. Schools were just part of it and may not be the best bit at all!

What do you think readers?

ARTO'S MOON CAPSULES

 Godspeed Artemis!