The Chemtoy Jaws Action Figure

Once more to Amity Island, courtesy of Brian F, Monster Base, New Jersey.

- Fin -

🦈

The grey original

A Howling Success

The neighbours' mutt has been howling of late and the sound recalled 

some successful

movie howls.

Notably these are the the lonely wail of the David Kessler wolf in the alleyway in American Werewolf in London.

https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxiC1q2TC1uclxqkQmTbXpks0kpq8CUvra?si=I-rZDb8OXyBLYH5X 

And the pained yowl of the junior T.Rex stuck in the hold in Jurassic Park II

https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkx0ew2aGljOLPF6b1QkL9NbABIfQR0urAI?si=8iFogRJd1a4rn1yM 

Do you know of any notable howls?

FEEL THE HEAT

2026 got off to a great start recently, as I managed to score three new Hot Wheels Sizzler models, including a pair in their original packaging. Mattel were always streets ahead of the competition with their product packaging, from the amazing Hot Wheels flare (which is still in use today), to the bold and striking graphics on the Major Matt Mason space toys, which were always prominently visible on any toy store shelf. Mattel’s Sizzler line, although slightly understated compared to Redlines, was equally well promoted. Each car came in a hard plastic case, supported on a card insert. It is probably this stout packaging that helped keep these two beauties safe over the last forty-plus years. The batteries inside the cars had long since corroded and failed, the fumes from the process leaching away the chrome paint on one of them. However, the self coloured plastic bodies remained intact - aside from some minor play wear.

The Spoil Sport model needed a rechrome of the engine, but was otherwise unscathed and both models even had original price stickers on the case, showing price reductions from £10.00 down to just £2.99.

Sizzlers were very rare and expensive in the UK and were not as common as standard Hot Wheels cars.

The Ant Eater and Spoil Sport models were among the initial 1969 releases and were still on release around 1972, hence the post-decimal prices.

The Up-Roar was one of the later releases and used a different chassis with a longer, slightly thinner battery. This one was found loose, but still in good condition, despite losing its chrome.

All three models had a quick dip in raw lemon juice to remove the acidic corrosion from the copper contacts and could be racing again very soon!

The portable Juice Machine takes four large D cell batteries and can charge up the tiny motors battery in 90 seconds.
 

Terry's Rocket Lunchbox

Hi Woodsy

Saw this on Buyee listed for 65p with no bids. It was stuffed with cheap new plastic toys.

Regards

Terry

Don't Block It!

 

Watched this tonight, The Block Island Sound from 2020 and enjoyed it.

A sort of The Happening set on the coast, the mystery in the island's surf is a strange reverberating noise sending residents bonkers. 

I wont say anymore.

Anyone for Foosball?

We bought this at a bargain price of £1 at a car boot years ago.

It's proved popular with younger members of the family over the years and it was brought out again this month for our football mad neices. 

The name of this toy has morphed over time. In my day it was known as table soccer, which was also another name for blow football. As the word soccer waned in popular usage in the UK, it became table football. 

But a new name appeared during the last decade or so. 

Foosball. 

Oddly enough this is the German word for football, correctly spelt as Fussball or Fußball.

I have a feeling that the US TV sitcom Friends popularized the name Foosball, which could be why it's used now.

Anyone know?

1980 - 1994 Hong Kong Logos & Trademarks - ROBOT & SPACE TOY TIMELINE - Alphadrome

I found this really interesting on Brian's superb Alphadrome.

Later logos.

https://www.alphadrome.net/forums/topic/4909-1980-1994-hong-kong-logos-trademarks/ 

One More Chomp! Great Bite Monster Truck

Hi,

Here is a new model from Hot Wheels, called Great Bite. Part of the 2025 Monster Truck line, it is either a motorised shark, or a boat shaped like a shark, on a Monster Truck chassis.

It is basically a big grey and white shark, with chrome trim, very big teeth, and blue tyres. The model comes with a plastic car for you to drive over, which is standard with Hot Wheels Monster Trucks.

Four photographs

Paul Adams from New Zealand