Golden Astronaut: Resupply Misssion Pt 2

Re-supplying the outer moons and planets has to start somewhere. here a fleet of NOVA rockets are loaded and ready to start the ball rolling. They'll land at one of several destinations with established ports and supply depots and their cargo unloaded. The cargo will then be sorted at the distribution hub and transferred to smaller ships for transport to the outer moons and worlds. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

I have to say this series was a tad dissappointing. My fault really. I've been wanting to install a scenic backdrop on my runway shelf layout for some time. That way the scene would have more impact - more 'oomph'. I do have the photo murals out in The Cave but just haven't gotten around to installing them yet. 

 I bought something like five of the G.I. Joe launch pads sepceficially for use with these NOVA rockets and whatever else would fit. So as a series of 'proof-of-concept' pix these do well enough. The next thing to tackle?  Besides the backdrop, trying to achieve more of a sense of distance between the runway and the pads - hard to do in only 12" (30.48cm) of space.

Marx radar from their Jetport playset, G.I. Joe launch pads, Golden Astronaut NOVA rockets, and a Dillon-Beck Wannatoy futurist car round out the toys in this shot

Here a Hot Wheels Road Ranger and a rocket (far right) from an unknown maker joins the crowd

Flash Gordon has settled down and is now a high ranking GS (Galaxy Space Fleet) Civilian. He's here somewhere on the tarmac inspecting the next fleet of rockets

TootsieToy 1978 #1793 Flash Gordon and The Evil Ming Playset - Pt3

This set includes a neat but rather unusual set of support vehicles. Look at the artwork below as well as the photos and you'll see why. The off road vehicle is toolin' along at a pretty good clip in the artwork, flying over that terrain with the trailer in tow.

But take a good look at the trailer. This isn't a cargo hauler, it's a people hauler! I don't know about you guys, but there is no way in heck I'd get in rig like that. The trailer appears to have a dashboard with controls, but what is it controlling - an anti-gravity or force field to keep it from flailing all about?? I don't know if this was a design original to the comic strip or if it's something from the imagination of TootsieToy toy designers but when you think about it, it is quite odd. Good thing it's only a toy :-)  There are two 'jeep'/trailer combos in the set which are die cast and measure 2 5/8" (6.7cm) L x 1 1/2 (3.8cm) W and the trailer is 2 1/4" (5.7cm) L x  1 1/2" (3.8cm) W. Enjoy!

Gearbox Toys 2006 Flash Gordon Space Car Discovery 1956

Before we begin, one of our readers, Jules, who lives in South Africa, is looking for a set of Marx Cars of The Future. I checked out Classic Toy Soldiers, The Hobby Bunker, and Toy Soldiers of San Diego, these three having the best selection of repo Marx available today, but no luck. If anyone has a lead on where to get thes contact me please. Many Thanx!

Lately Toys & Stuff has been hooked on Flash Gordon. There have been so many Flash Gordon toys offered over the years that I'm in absolutely no position to feature them all here on this humble blog. And as many Flash toys as was made, there were many more Buck Rogers toys - according to the book "Blast Off! Rockets, Robots, Ray Guns, and Rarities From the Golden Age of Space Toys" by S. Mark Young, Steve Duin, and Mike Richardson (whew, what a mouth full!).

To the best of my knowledge, the most recent toy go-around with Flash and Buck occurred back in 2006 when Gearbox Toys put out a line of small diecast wheeled vehicles based on classic comic book artwork. The vehicles were nicely done but not nearly as free-wheeling as Mattel Hot Wheels. And while I have a soft spot for actual Golden Age toys these appealed to me because, while of modern output, they are based on classic designs. Which brings me finally to today's toy, a Space Car based on a Flash Gordon comic strip from 1956. The car itself is not actually Flash Gordon's but one which appears on a planet he is on.  In the strip it looks as if it were a hover craft of some sort which the toy mimics in that it sits very low to the surface, however, it doesn't have the open cockpit as shown in the artwork. I have seen Midgetoy space cars 1950s with a somewhat similar appearance to this but not nearly as colorful. This little gem is a nice addition to those interested on Golden Age space design, or space cars, or Flash Gordon. Enjoy!