MOONBASE CENTRAL

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE TOY KIND

Just been enjoying Close Encounters of the Third Kind on the telly. Its the Directors cut and I'm pretty sure I've never seen the sandstorm opening before.

For toy collectors the early scene of the boy's bedroom is a treasure trove of Seventies stuff. Besides the cymbal-clapping monkey I saw my old fave the Mod Monster Blushing Frankenstein, who drops his trousers at the sight of the alien presence! There are loads of tin cars whizzing round including a police car and a train too.

For the life of me I can't find any video footage of the scene to blog or even a screengrab of the toys. Can anyone help?

One other thing, where the alien ships ever released as toys?

2014 - A YEAR IN FOCUS

Well folks, it's getting close to the end of 2014 and time for me to reflect on some of my own sc-fi highlights of the year.

The year started well with a visit to Cardiff and the Doctor Who Experience.

The first Andercon was a tremendous success, with some fantastic guests.

The second Cosford event celebrating Gerry Anderson was another winner. The special guest was the charming Sylvia Anderson , as well as a few other surprises.

Finally, the highly enjoyable Alpha: 2014, a truly momentous Space:1999 event.

All the best Folks, and here's to the next adventure - 2015

MOONBASE CHRISTMAS 2014

Just a few images from Moonbase this Christmas in West Yorkshire.

The Big Day itself was snow free but then the white stuff came down heavily Boxing Day night.

The snow is melting fast now and as Xmas wanes,

the New Year beckons.

Did you have a good Christmas readers?

WAR OF THE WORLDS EYE

Just watching War of the Worlds on the TV, the Fifties version. Looking at the Martian 'eye' it got me thinking.

Where have I seen something similar? Forbidden Planet?

No. Its the inside of the astrodome on the Project SWORD Moon Bus! A dead ringer!

Is this colour wheel significant? You seen any more readers?

Monday, 29 December 2014

MAROONED XRV SPACE GLIDER

This new kit is now available from Fantastic Plastic.

MOONBASE VIDEO: BAUBLE WARS OR HOW CHRISTMAS WAS STOLEN FROM HOTH

Here's my latest and somewhat festive video made in the garden yesterday using toys from the attic. A Star Wars/ vintage toys crossover. Just 2 minutes long, hope you enjoy it! Double click for full screen.

PROJECT SWORD: RANDOM MENTIONS ON THE INTERNET

Just a few random links of mentions of Project SWORD in cyberspace that aren't Moonbase Central! Maybe check 'em out if your'e fed up of endless games of Monopoly!

MORINAGA ZERO X

The small but perfectly formed Morinaga Zero X which Woodsy tracked down for me. It is small, as can be seen in this comparison showing the Zero X next to a two-pence coin.

But as most of you lot know I prefer to take a picture showing my toys or models against a more fitting background. The problem with this little model is depth of focus which gives away it's tiny size. I could just cheat and simply paste a photo onto another background, but frankly anyone can do that these days, However, using a little Photoshop sparingly is always an acceptable option.

This is a close up photo of the little Morinaga Zero X, held in place with tweezers, and set against a brown out of focus background, which happens to be just a blanket.

And here's the final photo with the tweezers painted out and just a few stars added. I don't know what you folk think but it I reckon it works a treat.