Ed's Tin: US Army Vertol 107 Tin-Litho Helicopter (Haji)

At 12" long, this is another big Hunk 'O Tin from the Age of Tin. The rotors rotate via gearing to the friction motor when it's pushed along.

From Vegas Air Field

Ed

SHADO MOONMOBILE KIT

 

Some photos of my Fantastic Plastic, SHADO Moonmobile resin kit.

It’s 1:72 scale, and around 7” long. To the moderately skilled modeller, it’s a relatively simple build, although it does need some preparation. The main body is cast in solid resin which needs plenty of sanding, and the fragile components which make up the framework for the landing pads need gently bending into shape. I did have to replace the landing pads with some scratch-built ones, as the ones that came with the kit were far too damaged to use.

As the overall colour of the Moonmobile is white, painting is fairly straightforward. Then it’s down to some subtle weathering, and a first coat of sealer prior to applying the decals.

The decals that come with the kit are very good, although I altered some of the red stripes, and added a few miscellaneous decals from my spares box for a little added detail.

A final coat of sealer and the Moonmobile is ready for a lunar patrol!

The Moonmobile used in the UFO TV series was originally designed by Mike Trim, although an earlier similar Moonmobile design did feature in the Captain Scarlet episode, Lunarville 7. In the episode, the vehicle uses hydraulic legs to slowly ‘hop’ up and down across the lunar surface. (The SHADO Moonmobile was initially going to be called a ‘Moon Hopper’ as can be seen on Mike Trim’s drawing. In the UFO episode, ‘Flight Path’, Gay Ellis requests a ‘Moon Hopper’ to pick up injured astronaut, Roper. I imagine that would have just been a script oversight)

The updated SHADO Moonmobile moves across the lunar surface more like the Rocket Moonbus as seen in the feature film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. The insect-like design obviously takes plenty of inspiration from NASA’s Lunar Module, with possibly a nod to the Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig aka The Flying Bedstead!

In the UFO TV series, the Moonmobiles are apparently housed in a natural crater near Moonbase, and are used to transport men and equipment across the lunar surface.

They travel using a hovercraft principle, using vertical take-off and landing. The hydraulically sprung legs enable the vehicle to compensate for uneven surfaces.

MORE EAGLE MODELS ON THE WAY FROM A.E.

 For anyone who's pre-ordered these two new items of Space: 1999 merchandise, Anderson Entertainment have announced that they now have their exclusive Eagle models in stock.

They also have plans to release even more versions next year.

Not having seen one in the flesh yet, I can't say how they'll compare with the excellent Sixteen 12 die-casts, or even the less impressive Eaglemoss models.

Hopefully, I'll get the chance soon.

HOT GOTHAMS: THE BATMAN FIVE-PACK

Hot Wheels begin releasing their new models before the end of the old calendar year. That means that the first 2024 models are in the shops in late 2023.

This Batman 5-pack is part of the 2024 range, but I got mine this December - in time for Christmas. These Batman 5-packs are in addition to the normal Batman sub-series within the Mainline.

Each pack usually contains one or two actual Batman models; a Gotham City Police car; and two or three fantasy models in the colours of various Batman villains. Thankfully, Hot Wheels now identify the models on the back of the packet.

Arkham Asylum Batmobile in black and grey. From a video game.

Boom Box in dark grey, with Gotham City Police markings.

Power Pistons in white, with markings for Harley Quinn.

Hi-Roller in purple, with a clear green top showing off the engine. Markings for the Joker.

Batcopter in semi-metallic blue, with black plastic, and clear orange parts.

The Gotham Police cars and villain cars are unique to these sets, and some of the Batman models also come in colours unique to the sets.

Is this a pack for you?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

MAKING A MRS. TOPO GIGIO

 My latest fixer-upper from Bill is a Century 21 Toys Topo Gigio Ice Cream van.

Before I attempt the van I've been down a rabbit hole, one marked 'creating a figure'.

The van needed a female Gigio sat in the back serving.

As luck would have it I had a spare rubber Topo kicking about.

Making it up as I went along, this was about half-way in the transformation. Topo's now got long Papier Mache hair and after going under the knife, bent knees! The Christmas clown looks pleased anyway!

and so, the final result.

I give you Mrs. Topo Gigio!

I've never doctored an existing figure to make a new one before so it was a steep learning curve and it took ages, It was also a lot of fun! Have you done anything like this readers?

Now to the Ice Cream Van!

Friction Long Distance Jetliner MF 105 from the Kang Yuan Toy Factory Shanghai China

Appearing as part of my JR21 alerts, I saw this tin jetliner recently on the 'Bay, a fine old Chinese plane.

It's clearly related to the Chinese tin Moonship that a few of us own. Its from the same factory.

The box art is even better than the toy. Looking long and sleek it's got Fireflash vibes galore. The toy looks shorter than the illustration.

Is this a toy you own?

TADA! Tommy Buster! JR21 legendary Toy Rifle

I'm always interested in the Tommy Buster, ever since it first appeared here on it's TV21 offer page.

Here's the Japanese TADA version - yes, more TADA! - I saw on auction. There's an M logo too, presumably the Miura in the listing title, but it's new to me.

Did or Do you have a Tommy Buster?

Imagine coming down to this on Christmas morning! TADA!

Safari, So Good!

 

Looey's recent comment about an obscurely glimpsed toy on a shelf, named 'Space Safari' has prompted a dusting off of a cool little toy, which I am hoping is the toy he recalls. Made by Miniflex in the mid sixties, it's clearly influenced by Major Matt Mason and other contemporary toys.

Packed neatly into a compact box, we have the Ten Hoof Space Crawlwr, Astro Prime Mover, Lunar Personnel Carrier, Solar Generator and the Computer Motivator.

The Computer Motivator is a little battery unit with a motor inside that can be swapped between the crawler and the Prime Mover, which powers movement, while flashing a light and spinning the radar dish.

The Prime Mover can tow the personnel carrier with twin domes and the Solar Generator, which has a rotating screen on the back, displaying a moire effect, not unlike the communicator on Star Trek.

The set comes with three astronauts and a gang of exotic aliens to be gathered up by the safari mission and held in the observational security modules for study.

A great little set all round, with the figures just under 3" high and the Prime Mover at 7" long.

I can't wait to see Looeys interpretation of the toy!