MOONBASE CENTRAL

Friday, 16 January 2026

SANTA'S FAB1

Like some of you have already, Secret Santa was kind enough to bring me this minty boxed and gorgeous Scalextric FAB1 at Christmas.

I wuz thrilled!

You can see it action on the Scalextric You Tube channel.

https://youtu.be/3D24jo_zWb4?si=1EVCBiWpphw4ibNN

There's also a chromed version.

Which do you prefer?

Airfix have just announced their 2026 line up. There are more 1/72nd and 1/48th scale aircraft, many with new markings - some of the decals show the same aircraft at different stages in its career, in different colour schemes, and with different units - an interesting approach.

Several new toolings, which replace older kits of the same subject. Some existing kits get new parts – the 1/48th scale Westland Lysander now comes as a Special Duties aircraft, used to deliver and pick-up agents from Occupied Europe – complete with a figure of a female agent.

There are also several very interesting aircraft kits coming up in the Vintage Classics line of older kits. Including the WW1 vintage Avro 504K biplane, WW2 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, and Japanese Ki-46-II Dinah reconnaissance aircraft.

The six 1/1200th scale warship kits from the 1970s are being re-issued, but only in a Gift Set. If anyone missed out on the One Small Step For Man set (Apollo Lunar Module and Astronauts figures, with a vac-form Lunar base), this too is being re-issued.

Some more of the 1/76th scale kits originally made by JB Models in the 1980s are being re-issued, including the Saracen wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier, which turned up in plenty of SF movies and TV episodes. I also recall seeing a photo of a Hong Kong Police Saracen on Moonbase Central some time ago.

Several of the Airfix tank kits, including the excellent Matilda (I built at least three of those, in different colour schemes). The RAF Recovery airfield set is being re-released, but it seems the name has been changed to Crash Recovery Set.

Fans of the Airfix HO/OO figures can look forward to the Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham; and the Romans and Ancient Britons, sets. These will also be available in Playsets, with the Sherwood Castle and Roman Fort Playforts.

But it does not look like the Playforts will be available on their own ? Which is a pity.

Lastly, the 1/144th scale SRN-4 cross-channel hovercraft kit will re-appear. This is one I never had, but I will be snapping one up this time around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jfz7OmI35U&t=1642s

Paul Adams from New Zealand

RANGER! YES!

What a vehicle!

What a design!

Wow!

Thursday, 15 January 2026

No Hurry at Harrisons

After a major break-in last year it was great to see a local Rotherham emporium back up and running again and full of eager punters.

Harrisons is huge; two floors of collectables and second hand furniture catering for every taste possible.

Although I never find any Hong Kong plastic toys for myself there, I do love to stroll round it's cabinets and floors. My mate always finds a bargain for his Grandson. They do a mean sausage butty too!

Anyways, here's a few snaps of bits, some of which has appeared here before, as they've remained unsold.

A globe Bank.

BMW radio!

The Man himself!

Some nice Marx cars.

Kits

Boats

Batman Beyond figures and lots of them!

Loads of old kids' books

An interesting portrait!

Biggles and Boys World books

Comics

Thunderbirds Give a Show among friends

A Vosper

Action Man, Head of Steam!

Chad Valley Super Show

Anything you like?

Your Help Needed with a Giant Wasp!

A reader has asked if anyone has the instructions for the Fundimensions Giant Wasp kit?

If you do could you please could let me know and we can maybe arrange a scan.

Thanks.

Some assembly instructions found on Worthpoint, but none close-up.

CrisISS! Triang SpaceX is Ready!

I've read that NASA have to evacuate the entire ISS crew on medical grounds.

Sounded bad. They're back home already!

I wonder if NASA used SpaceX?

But which one?

I'd have used Triang SpaceX, no problem!

The SpaceX Rescue Craft is always ready.

Ready to save the day.

Seriously, Godspeed ISS crew and hope you're all well!

The Lunar Climber

Mish's comments reminded me that the Century 21 Toys Lunar Climber hasn't graced MC for quite some years, largely because it's so darn rare!

So ...

Back in 2014 reader John S was kind enough to send us his pics of his own beautiful Lunar Climber, posted at the time and still the only one I know of! Enjoy!