MOONBASE CENTRAL

Saturday, 22 July 2023

A SMORGASBORD OF SPACE MODELS

A look at some miscellaneous space models on display at Smallspace 10.

Here are pix of some of the vintage dimestore toys I’ve collected over the past several years. I remember vividly being allowed to buy one such toy if I was a “good boy” during a trip to the doctor or dentist or some relatives. Usually, I’d get a car or a truck, but sometimes, I’d get a magic trick or a puzzle or a toy musical instrument. This would be early 1960s. And even back then, I would obsess on the cool graphics on the headers!

Rob C

USA

Friday, 21 July 2023

THE WORLDS OF ANDERSON AT SMALLSPACE 10

Even though the main theme of Smallspace 10 was the 60th Anniversary of Doctor Who there was still a few items on show at the event representing some of the Andersons' TV series.

Chris Potter represented Space: 1999 bringing along his 44 inch Eagle Transporter, a studio scale Mark IX Hawk, studio scale Pilot Ship, and Dione’s Escape Ship.

David Sisson displayed some of his models and props from the Anderson series’ post Space:1999.

From Terrahawks, his impressive Battlehawk, Overlander, and Zeaf.

From Space Police and Space Precinct, small & large Cruiser props.

Simon Rhodes brought along two original X5 Computer panels from Space: 1999.

Mamas Pitsillis brought along some of his Anderson models.

Finally, more photos I took of a few more Anderson related items on display including a large Meccano Eagle Freighter. Credit to their builders.

ED'S PROCESSED PLASTICS ROCKETS AND CARS

Ed of Las Vegas has very kindly sent more personal pics of his own fab collection of Processed Plastics toys.

For more of Ed's delights see his neat blog, Toys and Stuff.

Thursday, 20 July 2023

NOT SURE HOW TO SAY IT: THE LIABE!

Now this is a spaceship I just do not know at all. The LIABE Star Cruiser by Entex, picture borrowd from Fantastic Plastic com.

I know I've posted about the ship to the top right before but not the LIABE or the lower right craft.

Apparently they are from a 1978 movie called Message from Space. Have you seen it? Is ot any good? Is it Japanese?

The LIABE is an amazing design. What inspired that?

PLEASE HAND YOUR KEYS AND LANYARD OVER ON YOUR WAY OUT

Yep, it's happening. I'm a day away from finishing work for good.

I'm retiring.

I imagine a few of you Baby Boomers have done already too. Its our time isn't it!

Its a happy but sad feeling finishing work as a teaching assistant, especially after being at my High School for 13 years.

In all of that time I've come home and added something to this blog for the next day's post, so I associate Moonbase with coming home from my job. It'll be strange having so much more time on my hands and not coming home!

At the moment I've no great plans. I'll carry on buying and selling old toys, which I love to do [especially the finding at boot sales and in charity shops], restore old toys [my new passion], carry on with Moonbase Central of course, finish a second book I started ages ago about more JR21 toys and spend a lot more time with wider family and friends, who for one reason and another [work, Covid, Grandkids] I've probably neglected.

If any of you who've retired can offer me any pearls of wisdom regarding what to and what not to do in the next few months I would be most grateful!

Scrapheap? Rocket Base? At the moment I'm unsure what retirement means!