REMOTE CONTROL MOON RANGER

This Moon Ranger appeared on Ebay earlier in the year and is another Project SWORD toy that has been adjusted with a remote control and wire.

We've seen a few of these adjustments over the years. I believe that they are home improvements rather than anything official in the factory. I can imagine that the remote control just made it more fun rather than reaching for the awkward on-off switch at the side of the toy.

What do you think?

Have you any remote control toys?

Sherlock Holmes Gift Set

Mine and Bill's latest creation, an original custom 'toy' of our own:

The Hound of the Baskervilles Two Pipe Problem Gift Set! 

Card art by Bill, pipes sourced by me.

Elementary! 

Ed's Alien World Diorama Base

Woodsy,

My red diorama base was built back in 2012 and made from a 29.5" x 11.5" piece of shelving (cut to fit within a shelf unit in The Cave), Styrofoam sheets for the rockwork, carved then covered with lightweight patching plaster, and lastly painted. 

I didn't want a gray Moonscape look for this one, but rather a red Martian-esque look. The photos show an additional rock outcropping which is actually a separate piece and removable, depending on whether I want to use it for a shoot. 

The background picture I painted myself - also in 2012 - on black foamcore. It's not made to represent Earth, just an alien world. I chose blue because it was a nice bright color that stood out from the black backing.

From Vegas Base

Ed

Operation Lone Star Customs - The Five Toy Swords: 5. Dick Turpin

 Our final Lone Star custom, Dick Turpin's sword released between 1979 and 1982.

Again, with reference material kindly supplied by John Buss of Murdersville, Bill was able to create a really fabulous backing card and I was able to get the sword guard gold colour right.

So here goes, the latest of Lone Star's swords and the last of our customs:

Hope you like it.

In the catalogue picture provided by John there was an image of the sword along with a neckerchief and what I assume to be Dick Turpin's black cap. I think they came with the sword sold in toy shops.

Here's my rather shoddy imitation of it.

That's it, we're done with Lone Star's swords.

Hope you enjoyed the journey.

Next up, Secret Sam!

Looey's Day at Dirty Jane's

Dirty Jane's antique market in Bowral NSW Australia is one of the nicer antique stores still around, although I notice their overall prices are creeping up recently...

Viewers in Blighty may derive some amusement from these Colonial prices! ( halve A$ prices to get £!)

So here's a quick squizz from down under...

1) Some Tarzan books caught my eye and I thought "Woodsy would like to see those..

2) Plastic Gorillas and Werewolves, including a Petterson/Gimlin pose Bigfoot - too tasty at $35 each!

3) Wyn Toys, Wyn-Toy Products Pty Ltd, 1940-1982.

Australian made metal toy in fair unrestored condition...

4) Stupid prices on vintage die-casts

5) An amusing Australian Air Force livery, pedal style fighter display. Sadly NFS.

6) "£25 for a pair of plastic Noddy and Big Ears egg cups? Tell 'em they're dreaming!"

7) "Hmm, I recognise that name, what's that doing here? Oh right, this stall is PhotoAntiques. 

My Dad displayed his stuff in their upstairs gallery back in the '90s. This is probably a gift to them, which they're now trying to get a return on!"

Looey

Oz Base

Brassed Off!

 I recently found these old brasses of my Mum's in our attic: peacock, slipper and all.

I remember some of them my growing up.

I seem to recall my Mum buying them from one Mr. Singh, a second hand seller on Preston outdoor market in the Sixties.

As if by magic, here's an old print of yours truly admiring the very same brass peacock on its shelf at home circa 1961!

Here are more old shots on the same day. Looks like a party! Do you recognise the drinks?

Not sure what my parents were celebrating.

Happy days! 

Monster Shorts

Here's my Mod Monster holding up some snazzy material for his new underpants, which the Missus will fettle.

It's all part of a new custom project in the pipeline.

My old late mate Pete looks on, considers and takes a drag.

Did you have a Mod Monster?

Assorted Centres

 Some recent spots and acquisitions in antiques centres, auctions and shops:

The Grouch Couch, bought for the Grandkids. It grumps, growls and eats objects! 

Spotted in an auction, I did Watch with Mother and loved all these BBC shows on this Chad Valley projector, but just who is Joe? He I dunno! 

Two old sixties soccer annuals for my bro in law, who sadly has Altzheimers. It's his 80th on Sunday and he likes to browse the pictures of football books. He was captain and manager of his team in Leyland.

It's hard to imagine just how famous George Best was back then. A superstar. They called him the fifth Beatle he was so famous! 

This set I saw on Amazon so reminded me of a fossil hunting kit I had as a nipper. I've never been able to find the one I had. Mine was boxed. This comes in a colourful sack. Did you have a kit like this?

Something a little different and relics from my past, seen in an antiques shop in Balby, these two Mary's or very similar ones graced our home as I was growing up. My Mum was quite a religious lady and the house reflected it. Her purse too, full of relics like Padre Pio's cloth.

Was your Mum or Dad religious? 

More Balby bounty, this cabinet held a UFO Interceptor and the wondrous Tow Truck, both of which I adored back in the boomer years.

Now in Wath, I was amazed by this huge plastic toy doll's home cinema outside a charity shop. It reminded me of Looey's! I imagined Action Man and Sindy watching a movie. But which one?

Back in Balby, not sure where this toy train was from but I loved the artwork.

And these old kits caught my eye too. I love that Frog Lifeboat box art!

These massive toy trains by LGB reminded me of my Big Big Train from the Sixties. What a top toy that was!

Finally, I was interested to see the Clifford logo on ..... Children's packs of cards! 

Till the next trip ...