A LOOK BACK AT LONDON: 2024 GUESTS

 While our American cousins are celebrating Breakaway Day at the Los Angeles Space: 1999 convention this weekend, I look back at some of the guests I managed to photograph last year at the London: 1999 event.

Fan favourite Nick Tate, who played Eagle pilot, Alan Carter at the controls of the Eagle Cockpit, built by Darrell Simmonds and others.

Catherine Schell, who played Maya.

Anton Phillips, who played Dr Bob Mathias.

The late Clifton Jones, who played Computer technician David Kano.

Clifton Jones with Suzanne Peterson, who was Barbara Bain's stand-in.

Dee Anderson, daughter of producer, Sylvia. During the first season she visited the Space: 1999 set several times during filming, and her former husband , Vic Elms co-wrote the first season theme.

Italian actor Gianni Garko, who played Captain Tony Cellini in the episode, Dragon's Domain.

Entertainer, Jess Conrad, who played Mark Sanders in the episode, The Lambda Factor.

John Hug who played Eagle pilot, Bill Fraser.

Yasuko Nagazumi who appeared as Command Centre data analyst, Yasko.

Peter Duncan who played Cantar in the episode, The Exiles.

Jack McKenzie, with his wife Rosemary. Jack appeared as a technician in four episodes: Breakaway, Black Sun, Earthbound and The Last Sunset.

Quinten Pierre who played Alpha security guard, Pierce Quinton.

Special effects wizard, Brian Johnson.

Journalist and writer, Samira Ahmed, who won the BBC's Celebrity Mastermind, with her chosen subject, Space:1999.

There was several other Space: 1999 guests at the event which, sadly I just didn't get to as there was so much going on.

Breakaway with Space: 1999 Knockoff Figures

With Scoop championing Breakaway Day on MC I thought I'd mention a couple of Space: 1999 Knockoff figures I've seen of late,  knockoffs being one of my fave things ever.

First up is this German 12"  fashion doll, Marien, I saw on the mighty Plaidstallions. 

It's described as wearing surplus stock. 

So, quiz questions: Can you name where the doll's jumper's from? 

Another cool 99'er is this figure on auction, Starmen 1999, a Palitoy Alan Carter pilot clone I think.  Commanding an almost millennial sum now, it cost just £1.49 in the cheapo aisle of Pramland of Leigh (where's that?) back in the day.

I actually think this looks to be a decent Knockoff. The quality isn't bad at all for a Palitoy clone (Mattel didn't release a Carter figure I don't think).

I've read that the original Palitoy figure had a helmet which resurfaced on other Mego lines like Action Jackson and Dinah Mite. Official toy recycling! 

The header is great!

Those silver boots really do look like they're from Palitoy's biggest brand, Action Man!

So wanting to delve deeper into Alan Carter's baggy I googled and found, yes, a video about this very subject from none other than Brian Heiler of Plaid Stallions (aka Brick Mantooth!). Yep, back where I started this post! 

It answered all my questions and more. It even discusses Pramland of Leigh! Small world! 

The final reveal of further knockoffery was, well, a revolution!

I hope, like I did, you enjoy!

https://youtu.be/JZybayeHQNY?si=JafGY8Ytf5C-E3Nt

East German Rocket Truck

 This East German rocket truck caught my eye.

The rocket has a Spacex-Nova-like look to it and appears to be decorated with the zodiac or constellations.

The bed of the truck carries illustrations of Soviet probes.

The long box suggests the truck had containers on its back too.

An impressive toy from the old DDR.

Do you agree?

BREAKAWAY DAY

Today, Space: 1999 fans will be remembering the 311 men and women lost on Moonbase Alpha when the Moon was blasted out of orbit.

Never Forget

Samurai Central

 I recently picked up these 12" action figures dressed as a Chinese male archer and a female Ninja. 

Finely detailed and high quality, I've no idea of the make. No makers mark visible anywhere.

Still, here's some shots of them guarding (or attacking) MoonBase Palace.

Enjoy.

And a short clip of the above.

What's Major Matt Mason Doing?

 

He's sending in his last minute 17th birthday message to Moonbase  Central of course! 

MATT MASON ADVERTS

 After posting the photo of Captain Lazer this morning I thought I'd dig out some of the MMM adverts I remembered as a youngster. These are ones I found in amongst my collection of old Valiant comics.

I do have plenty more old Tigers and Lion comics I could look through as I know there's around half a dozen more, but this isn't a check list, it's just a taster.

The image of Matt always reminded me of Captain Blue.

The centre control in the MMM Space Station was later re-used in Mattel's Space: 1999 Moonbase Alpha Control Room.

Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors

Jayce and the gang have appeared a couple of times on MC. 

With its MOTU looks, oddly it's not a cartoon or toy range I recall but there's some interesting vehicle designs in there.

Is it a show you've come across readers?

https://youtu.be/43oLfxQKMhY?si=zjzfwiHTw9wmp3fE