Sunday, December 30, 2012

Arising from the ashes...

G-5 - front view
God Phoenix Repaint version, Fewture Models, China,
2012










What would 5 youngsters do without an amazing ship that could transform itself into a firebird ? Well, they would not be able to defeat earth's invadors, for sure ! This is the first design of the Phoenix - reworked with 21st century tooling.

Size comparaison with vintage PB-81 (Popy) version



Saturday, December 29, 2012

Futuristicly made in England

I had a trailer... anyone has a picture ?

Space Car, Palitoy, England, 1950's or 60's
A ragtop ? For driving from Picadilly to Dover ? By Jove ! God save the Queen !

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Puppets say farewell...

Gerry Anderson passed away today. He was the genius behind Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO, Fireball XL5, Space 1999 and other iconic British TV Sci-Fi shows. RIP.

FAB 1 (detail), Imai Japan
TB5 (plastic), unknown, 1960's ?



Gerry with Parker and Lady Penelope

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Shiny as a Christmas tree !

Spaceman -  Cherilea / Johillco, England,
1950's
What are the antenas for ? Phone Home ?


Monday, December 24, 2012

Monochromatics... for a Captain's Sea of Stars...

Back - cape
"Monocromático" and painted version, Fabianplastica,
(Portugal ?)- Italy, 1979
Portugal has always been a country where "cheaper" man-power could be found in Europe, so it is quite usual for other European companies to send semi-finished products over here so more "labour-intensive" tasks could be done. Portuguese company Maia e Borges did a lot of painting for Schleich (Smurfs, etc.) but it seems they worked for other companies also... like italian Fabianplastica.

Since there are no markings on either one of the figurines, it is quite difficult to pinpoint where the toy itself was casted / molded.

Notice the reddish pattern in the plastic !

Sunday, December 23, 2012

I've got a flat...


Batten Robomaru with bike, Popy, Japan,
1983
One of the most difficult materials to preserve in toy-collecting is rubber. On all my toys, it either breaks, brittles, dries out or rots.

Poor Robomaru here will need to find new tires at the local GOODYEAR shop...

Friday, December 21, 2012

Rare Bot. Habla Espanol. Will chime.





Zapatone robot, Musical Bambolinos,
Manufacturas Alum S.A., Spain, 1970's
Baby blue and Pink...
Like Humpty Dumpty I will sing...




Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Quiconque ose défier la puissance de Zeus doit être puni !

Masque - Ulysse 31, César, France, 1981

The petrified look on Ulysse's face... Did Medusa transform him into stone ? Will he reach home again ? Penelope is waiting for him...

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Little Gundam

Gundam, Bandai, Japan, 1993
...Look at my Jedi Saber !



This is one of the vintage little Gundam toys (=not models) issued in Japan in the 90ies. Anyone knows from which serie ?

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Bakin' Cookies ?

Pillsbury Doughboy and Doughgirl, Pillsbury Co., USA, 1971

These were found 15 years ago scavenging antique malls in Indiana, on our way to the Studebaker factory in South Bend... Fluffy and Happy !

"le" rocket du Frenchy...





OK, France did not win the space race but at least they do try from time to time to get an "Ariane" into orbit... Maybe that the engineers in Kourou (French Guiane) played with these when they were kids... The rear fin is fishy and fabulous !


Fusée Terre-Mars, Rex Jouets, France, 1950's

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

It's a fridge !

Sometimes normal household appliances can get Sci-Fi very quickly... especially when they're "made in England".

Johillco - Cherilea robot, England,
1950's
I have rivets ! And you don't !


Sunday, December 9, 2012

Gimme Candy !

Candy container, ?, Japan, 1998
When plastic is used as packaging in Japan, you get this...
Sweet !

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Blast them Buck !


Another cool rendering of Buck's ship.This one is battery opeated, goes on the floor with blinking reactors and lasers, stops, and the cockpit opens up. bidibidibideep....

Inter Stellar Patrol, Hong Da, Taiwan, 1980's