I saw these wooden home-made ray guns on auction a while ago and wanted to post the pic here. i think the maker has captured something in a very simple way. I love the easy trigger made from a bit of shaped metal, the way I did when I was a kid making Kung Fu weapons.
Have you made simple stuff like this readers?
Messin' around a bit more with my new batch of old die-casts - 2 Matchbox and a Hot Wheels - I've spruced up with Sharpies and Paint Pens, I had fun taking these shots tonight around the Base too.
Hope you like them readers.
I've been having fun touching up my new 1974 K-21 Tractor Transporter Matchbox Super Kings with a blue Sharpie pen. Just got the front lights to silver and the wheel hubs and then its done. Alas, I couldn't resist taking some shots now as I like this metallic blue Andersonesque truck so much!
See what you think of this King transporting various kitchen items around Moon Base!
Always on the look out for cover stories, here's some subaquatic serendipity from the Sixties.
In 1968 the rather sleazy Action for Men mag pictured a lady diver on the cover, bikini clad and red lipped.
A year later a similar skin diver graced the cover of the much better known Eerie, issue 22. I don't know, do they have the same face and hair?
Whilst abroad I happened upon a flea market stall of old Hasbro World Wrestling Federation action figures from the early 1990's. You hardly ever see these loose now in UK charities or car boots, all avidly collected by WWF fans.
This particular stall must have had all the figures, beautifully laid out on the table top. They were all there including Rowdy Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Doink the Clown and my personal favourite, IRS.
Even though I've never seen any WWF wrestlers on the TV, never mind IRS, there's something appealing about this crazy looking tax collector! I imagine his tie was the first thing his opponents grabbed!
The stallholder knew his stuff. Loose wrestlers are sought after and the less desirable figures started at 10 Euro. Too dear for me but I really like the gait Hasbro designers gave these figures. Huge torsos and arms and short legs. Slightly reminiscent of Masters of the Universe.
Do you like these figures readers?
Samurai art has completely kicked off its Kabuki since I was young fan.
Back in the Seventies I adored model dioramas like Night Attack by Ronin.
Much is being made of the prevalence of A.I in imaging and text generation. It has become so good that it can actually write dissertations for students which are technically and grammatically identical to work produced by a human writer. Photography competitions are being won by A.I generated content, beating professional photographers hands down and probably everyone has spent time resolving a query with a chatbot at some point.
CHATGPT is one of the most accomplished A.I's and has been thoroughly tested by scientists and the general public. It is available to use as a beta test online and I have tried it with a number of queries, just to see what it might do.
Out of curiosity I asked it this:
"can you create a short blog article for https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/ 'Moonbase Central' about space toys ?"
In a few seconds, it provided me with a response:
"Space toys have captivated the imaginations of children (and adults) for generations. From toy rockets and ray guns to action figures and playsets, space-themed toys have allowed us to explore the final frontier from the comfort of our own homes.
One standout space toy line that is sure to transport you to a world of intergalactic adventure is "Moonbase Central" by Project Sword Toys. This imaginative toy line features a central command center surrounded by various space-themed playsets and vehicles, all designed with incredible attention to detail.
The Moonbase Central playset itself is a true centerpiece, featuring a control room with a large monitor, a laboratory with a working microscope, and an airlock that leads to an exterior platform with a rover and satellite dish. The playset also includes a detachable rocket with a removable cockpit and opening cargo bay, perfect for launching missions to other planets.
To complement the central command center, the Moonbase Central toy line also includes various other space-themed playsets, including a lunar mining station and an alien research outpost. These sets come with their own unique vehicles, such as a mining drill and an alien spaceship, to help bring the imaginative play to life.
In addition to the playsets, the Moonbase Central toy line also includes a wide range of action figures, including astronauts, aliens, and robotic drones. Each figure is highly detailed and fully poseable, allowing for endless possibilities in the imaginative play.
Overall, if you're looking for a space toy line that will inspire creativity and spark the imagination, look no further than "Moonbase Central" by Project Sword Toys. With its intricate playsets, detailed vehicles, and diverse range of action figures, this toy line is sure to transport you to a world of intergalactic adventure."
Impressive? I think given more detail and a more rigorous instruction, we could easily be hanging up our keyboards in the next few years!
