THE MATCHBOX SPACEX FALCON HEAVY ROCKET

Not too many shops in New Zealand carry Matchbox toys these days. Even those that do still have Matchbox, only have a fraction of the range.

But I got really lucky recently, and picked up a new Skybusters model - the Space X Falcon Heavy rocket. It is just under 5 inches long, and comes with a black plastic display stand.

Over the last year or two Matchbox Skybusters have also been coming with a double-sided Playmat. This comes folded in half, and is four inches square, or 4 by 8 when opened out.

One side shows the Earth, with the Moon in the background, and the Space X name. The other side is looking down on a launch site.

For once, the model is mainly metal, with only the lower part of the rockets and nose section in white plastic, with the rocket nozzles in black plastic.

Tampo printing is red and black, with SPACE X along the sides in blue. Both the model and the stand are marked TM Space X, Matchbox, © 2022 Mattel, Made in Thailand, and SB158.

Despite the copyright dates, the model is part of the 2024 Skybusters line. There were two other Space X models in the 2023 range: SB159 Space X Starship, and SB160 Space X Dragon capsule, which I have not seen.

This is a really nice model, as are most of the Matchbox real space die-casts. The problem is that they all seem to be short-lived models, and there are never many around - grab them when you see them, or miss out.

Four photographs.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

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and Kevin has sent in this snap of a different modern SpaceX rocket, the Dragon.

ATLAS ATV

I mean c'mon, I want one! You?

https://youtu.be/vQPxa372kKk?feature=shared

VIRGIL'S HOUSE

 Messin' with the mobile this afternoon, waiting to go out for a sit-down chippy tea.

Virgil's gaff.

Mars Cathedral.

Tri-Sabre on.

Tyre Fryer Station.

Darkside.

Your random sci-fi/ futuristic shots welcomed readers!

WHERE TO EAT ON MEMORY LANE

Nostalgia is a funny thing. Memory Lane. And that lane is full of old eateries from yesteryear. Like Berni Inns and Beefeater.

These were the kinds of restaurant chains our parents went to. For some reason they always make me think of thick chips, steak and peppercorn sauce, although I have no recollection of eating there ever. Warm log fires, large glasses of rum and woollen cardigans is another image I have of them.

Oddly enough I think Beefeater is still going. Its linked to the Premier Inn chain of hotels. Brewer's Fayre too. Maybe I have eaten at Beefeater after all!

Other eateries of yore include Happy Eater, that motorway chain with fab pancakes; Pizzaland, where I had my first slice of pizza ... with coleslaw!; Spud-U-Like - this may still be baking somewhere; National Milk Bars - I went to one for a milkshake in Barnard Castle about 20 years ago.

Can you think of any more long gone food joints?

BIG PLASTIC CARS: READ ALL ABOUT IT! NEWSPAPER BEDFORD VANS

Here are Bedford London Evening Standard newspaper delivery vans; Corgi and Empire Made by Fairylite.

Terranova47

USA

INSIDE THE LUNAR BASE

Woodsy,

I've been culling photos from the Web for years in an attempt to get inspiration for some kind of display using my toys!

These are only some of the images I've collected. 

Even I we don't use any of these ideas, they're still cool to look at!

From Vegas Base

Ed

Fred Freeman, Colliers, 1952

Are there any more out there? Pictures welcomed.

THE MEYERS MANX MONSTER

The Meyers Manx was a highly successful 1960s Dune Buggy design. It was based on a shortened Volkswagen chassis, and had a fibreglass body.

It appeared in many movies, and inspired plenty of copy-cat designs. It has also proven popular with model companies.

This example from Hot Wheels is a Monster Truck version. It is part of the 2023 Monster Trucks range, and this is the first colour scheme.

The vehicle has an orange metal body, with a raised plastic top, and a clear-blue windscreen. The Meyers Manx name appears on the front, along with the number 10.

There are plenty of other tampo printed markings all around the model. Most Monster Trucks are pretty weird, but this one is really nice.

Do you have one?

Paul Adams from New Zealand

Operation Soap Box: My Home-Made SpaceX Moon Base HQ Garage Door

 Nearing the final stages now. Today I fettled a 'garage door and ramp'.

Its just a plastic frame really, as I feared that cutting a door would have potentially split the lid. 

Getting the frame, made from an old plastic sprue, to stick to the smooth plastic lid was a pain. It popped off just touching it! I then filed the lid and re-glued. Its stayed on!

The ramp is hinged with bits of a plastic straw. The letraset went on really well.

This contraption does the job.

Next stop, the people. Tomorrow.

The Tomorrow People!