Bloggiversary Special: Folding Space by Paul Vreede

 https://www.triangspacextoys.info/xOT/rocket2fold.zip

From Blog supporter Paul Vreede, comes his super origami model of the infamous 'LP Brand' Rocket! 

Often seen in the little window boxed space toy sets, the rocket is a very distinct design which has endured for decades. Paul has kindly adapted an earlier design that depicted the Star Wars X-Wing, to resemble our favourite rocket!

If you click the above link, it will download a printable template and some instructions for the rocket!

This is my own pathetic effort! I used a sheet of A3 paper and printed the square template on it at around 20 cm square, which folds down to about an 8cm tall rocket. I am by no means good with Origami, so it is a bit rubbish! I would recommend watching the YT video for the X-Wing folding on which it is based, which is very easy to follow.

 

OPERATION FINLANDIA: A BIRTHDAY DOSSIER

Earlier in the year Arto got hold of the Probe Force 3 forerunner, the Hover Rocket XL9.

Sadly it had no fins.

Wanting to see it complete for Arto I whipped up some plans based on known examples and sent them to someone who's fab work we know!

Modelling maestro Kevin took it from there and from nothing he created three lovely new red fins complete with riveting!

Here they are tested on Kev's own Probe Force 3.

and fin-ally here they are looking just great in situ on Arto's new Rocket XL9 ....

... in Helsinki Base,

Finland!

BLOGGIVERSARY SWORD NEWS: NOMURA PROBE FORCE 2 LOOKALIKE

These days its not often I see a new Project SWORD relative.

However, there is something of some interest to SWORDies like myself in the 1969 Nomura catalogue featured on the brilliant Alphadrome website.

http://alphadrome.net/forums/topic/18792-nomura-catalog-1969/

There are many fine and fascinating toys in this old catalogue. For fans of Tai Hing/T in a Circle toys you will see Japanese examples of the Moon Trek rocket and the Apollo -X drive-and-stand rocket.

It's on page 3 that my interest was really piqued. Mid left is the Astro Series Space Rocket. It appears to be one of four in this Astro Series, all appearing there on the page, some of which we have seen before. The size is a mystery [image is the property of Alphadrome]

Personally I've never seen the 'Space Rocket' before though. It looks like the Apollo Rocket I posted ten years ago  . The Astro Series rocket could well be a smaller version of the Apollo Rocket, which is pictured below on the right.

For SWORDies the Astro Series Rocket also has a passing resemblance to the Project SWORD Probe Force 2, especially the thicker rear end. 

I would love to see the Nomura Astro Series Space Rocket and maybe its box should you have one readers!

 

MIKE CARROLL: BERSERKER ARTIST

Hello, Woodsy! Thanks so much for writing. 

I think the themes explored in the Berserker series lend themselves well to a little darkness! I do remember that the giant craft was inspired by a Plecostomus sucker fish I had in my aquarium. 

It was a very long time ago, so I can't remember too many details about the genesis of the art; sorry about that. I hope the game gives you many hours of great fun!

If you want to see some of my newer art, I have a book coming out in October through Springer called "Planet Earths: Past and Present". I did a lot of new paintings for the book. It was a really fun project.

All best wishes,

Mike Carroll

Berserker Box Artist

BLOGGIVERSARY PETS: THE EVER ROLLING EYES OF PLASTIC DOGS

Years ago the LN LP rolling puppy toy emerged and was of immediate interest to LP toy fans.

Over the years various carded and boxed LP and LN versions have popped up. Paul V discovered that the spherical rollers underneath were used also used as space domes no less! https://www.triangspacextoys.info/SpGAderv/LPHK/LPhkSmTy/LPdomes/LPdomes.html

Wanting to find more and googling for rolling animals and rolling eyes this year I stumbled on several auctions for an intriguing old Ukrainian relative of the rolling puppy. At 11 inches long its much bigger and has a pull-along string. The spherical roller also rolls it along and provides moving eyes just like the LN LP pups.

Looking for old roller toys in general I found this 'friction roller toy' fish in a neat baggy with a cute header reminoscent of the LN Cartoon Animals header at the top of the post.

Rather than a roller ball the fish has a small friction drive unit that inserts into its base.

My final roll in this post is a new sighting of an LP style rolling puppy. In fact its two, 6.5 inches long, hooked together. I saw them on Ebay USA. I can't see an LP logo but that could just be the photo quality. Have you anything like this readers? A headed bag or maybe a box?

FORGET 2023! ITS 2005 AND BEYOND WITH KEVIN

Managed to get these Spacex clones recently (not cheap, but not as pricey as the initial asking price!). 

 I couldn't resist the red Nuclear Freighter, as it's one of my favourites. I believe this may be the only Spacex ones in this toy range.

Take care,

Kevin

UK