HOME STAR: MY DIY DALEK ROCKET GUN

 With Dr. Who's vintage toy arsenal firmly in my sights I thought this time I'd have a crack at the classic Lone Star Dalek Rocket Gun.

Here's the original toy, seen online, which some of you may have.

I started with a water pistol.

After some sawing and re-shaping I had the rough basis of the body and grip.

I then did something I've never done .... used papier mache to mould the body into the shape that I wanted. It was sticky, tricky but fun!

Then I was able to paint it, together with some extra parts I had.

Everything's drying.

Till tomorrow Doctor.

LONDON: 1999 - GUESTS

 I’m now back home from the mega enjoyable London Space:1999 Convention and it’s time to share a few photos from the weekend.

As promised there was a large number of guests who’d appeared in the original series, so much so that it was nigh on impossible to see every guest panel running throughout the weekend as well as my usual catch up with all the exhibitors displaying original props and models.

There was even a ‘work in progress’ full size Eagle Cockpit, built by Darrell Simmonds, who I should add had lots of help from others, including his sons.

This was a popular exhibit and lots of people, including myself got the chance to get behind the controls of Eagle 6!

Here’s Nick Tate, who played Eagle Pilot, Captain Alan Carter being helped into his spacesuit by Darrell, and pointing to that sneaky paparazzi looking for a scoop!

Here's Nick, back in the Eagle cockpit.

Nick appeared throughout the weekend, signing autographs, mingling with fans and appearing on several guest panels

BBC journalist and news presenter, Samira Ahmed was another guest. Samira won the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind Champion of Champions having Space:1999 as her specialist subject.

Samira couldn’t resist a spell in the Eagle cockpit, and really got into the spirit of it, admitting that it took her right back to being a seven year old again.

Space:1999 Special effects wizard, and Eagle designer, Brian Johnson was in attendance, He signed autographs, and took part in a question and answer session.

As it’s coming up to fifty years since the series first aired on UK TV, unsurprisingly some of the guests aren’t as young as they once were. Let’s be honest, none of us are! But in spite of that, they thankfully still took the enormous effort to appear.

Catherine Schell appeared in one first season episode, the Guardian of Piri, and throughout the second season as the alien Maya.

Clifton Jones played computer specialist, David Kano during the first season.

Here's Clifton with Suzanne Heimer-Peterson. Suzanne was Barbera Bain's stand-in, and appeared briefly in the series. 

A time for reunions!

Anton Phillips played Doctor Bob Mathias in the first season.

Yasuko Nagazumi played Yasko, a data analyst in Moonbase Alpha Command Centre

Dee Anderson, Sylvia Anderson’s daughter. During her panel Dee gave the audience a vivid mental picture recalling her time growing up in the sixties and early seventies as part of the Anderson family, visiting the sets and meeting some of the people who put the series together.

Gianni Garko played Captain Tony Cellini in the first season episode, Dragon’s Domain.

Former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan played Cantar in the second season episode, The Exiles.

John Hugg played Eagle pilot, Bill Fraser during the second season.

Jack McKenzie , seen here with Nick Tate appeared as a technician in Breakaway, Black Sun, Earthbound and The Last Sunset.

Jack an his wife, Rosemary, a former casting assistant.

Quentin Pierre played Alpha Security Guard, Pierce Quinton.

Jess Conrad played Mark Sanders in the second season episode, The Lambda Factor.

I should add there was many more guests in attendance, meeting fans and signing, but I'm afraid to say I  just didn’t have the time to catch them all.

And before I go, here's yours truly at the controls of Eagle 6!

Stay tuned for more photos of original props and model displays soon.

Atlantis and Aurora Kits Update!

kindly forwarded by Paul A,

New Zealand

SAVE10 PERCENT

We hope everybody is having a great weekend! Now up for Preorder is the Aurora Blue Knight and The USS Bainbridge Both kits will feature the Aurora classic oval logo. These kits have not been issued for over 45 years! Get them while you can. Mickey Thompson Funny car we have about 24 in stock. All preorders have shipped along with the willy ley Orbital Rocket! THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ORDERS. If you spend $100.00 you will receive a free Atlantis Tee Shirt. You must add the Tee Shirt to the cart and choose your size. The price on the Tee will go to Zero once you have added $100.00 of Atlantis Products to the Shopping Cart. USE COUPON CODE NAME SAVE10 TO RECEIVE 10% OFF YOUR ORDER! Take a look at the Atlantis Appreciation group on Facebook! Leave us a review on Google and post your Atlantis builds we would appreciate it. We always get a lot of questions about molds, please read this blog post. Atlantis make awesome kits! The orbital rocket has never been reissued!   Atlantis thrives on keeping those childhood dreams alive. We have received so many calls and emails with this exact sentiment. We thank you. We did not realize the impact these old kits would have on all of you and ourselves. To take you back to these great memories is a blessing. Plenty more to come! If you are in need of any parts please submit requests to the Parts Requests We ship parts around the world and have the best customer service in the business. Once again we thank you all for the support! 2024 will be a great year for the Atlantis Nation. Most important Stay Healthy and Safe and build some models and make those new memories! Respectfully, Peter Vetri President Atlantis Toy and Hobby Inc.

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DUNKIN MY MEMORY IN KUNG FU

 I've been basking in nostalgia looking at Dunkin martial arts gum cards  this morning.

I had a small collection as a teenager back in the mid-Seventies.

I so remember the orange packet with the two kickers in front of the Torii gate.

I'm hoping I still have a couple of these cards in my Kung Fu box.

Seeing Bruce Tegner's books took me right back too.

Bruce was an early American pioneer of paperback pugilism. He covered virtually all the martial arts back then between those soft covers and always opted for a distinctive single colour cover like this red Complete Book of Karate.

and the fabulous Aikido Holds and Locks, which I devoured back in the day.

Probably most nostalgic of all for me was seeing these Kung Fu slippers again. Available aplenty still on Amazon no less, I wore mine out as a youngster! 

After seeing Enter The Dragon in the early Seventies aged 13 [yes, an X certificate film!] I had them on all the time in the house and garden and the Wing Chun class I'd joined. So comfy back then, I doubt I could wear them now. I have an excruciating corn, which I have to pamper with padding. I really must deal with it! Hi Ya!

Anyways, happy days back then Kung Fu fighting!

Were you part of the craze readers?