Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset v3

While we're still on the subject of miniature space toys and playsets, I thought you'd like to see something I picked up some months back. It is yet another version of the Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset. As with all these sets, the packaging is basically the same but the vehicles, figures, and terrain pieces differ. This set has only two figures and  what I call the 'double-bubble' Moon Grabber. Marx's full sized Moon Grabber series consisted of several different battery operated vehicles appropriately sized for 54mm figures. The vehicles in the smaller playsets were of course much simplified versions. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Update to Marx Apollo Lunar Landing and Lunar Exloration Miniature Playsets

Just a quick note to update the names of the vehicles in these two miniature playsets. You know, I should've known better but Marx utilized pre-existing designs to come up with vehicles for these sets. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

The first one shown below from the Marx Apollo Lunar Landing Miniature Playset  is called the "Hill Climbing Moon Grabber' and Marx made a much larger version (approx 1/32 scale? just guessin') with articulated arms on the side. It was part of a series of vehicles which were all apparently 'Moon Grabbers' with each one performing a different function. It was battery operated and could roam the surface of Little Junior's Moon.

This vehicle in Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset, was also a 'Moon Grabber' but the decal on the front of the larger version says "Moon Scout"

Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset v2

Here's the last Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset in the hoard. It differs from yesterday's set in the different figures included. Also, the light dome on the vehicle isn't sloppily painted in blood red! Over the next few days I'll be presenting photo essays of the Marx 54 Astronauts the ones used as 'masters' for these downsized playsets. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Marx Lunar Exploration Miniature Playset v1

Okay, so what do you do if, perhaps, you have too many projects in the works or have run out of ideas for a particular line of toys? Simple, take the same toys, design a new box with a different title and then go to work at your full time job! After many years of collecting the only reasonable conclusion I can come to about the toy industry as a whole is: They're a goofy lot! I look at these sets and want to go back in time and ask the designers/marketers/sales reps/managers, "Why did you bother coming in to work?" 

This is essentially the same set as the Apollo Lunar Landing Miniature Playset. The vehicle is an ever-so-slightly different design with a "light dome" on the cockpit roof but the same figures were found in both versions of the Lunar Landing set I have. Still, it gives us collector's something to write-about, even if it is only, "Hey look, different box." Of course we all know that was standard industry practice. Every company did it and Marx and MPC/Multiple Toymakers were masters at the art of re-issuing toys utilizing new packaging. Sometimes of course they did bother to include new figure sculpts and accessories but often times it was just a matter of re-hashing existed products. Anywho - Enjoy! Opa Fritz

This Lunar vehicle has seen some action: is that blood on the light dome?

 ...or the near-sighted work of one of vaunted 'artists' employed by Marx to paint their miniature playsets?

Smile for the camera

Marx Apollo Lunar Landing Miniature Playset 1970 v2

Here's the second Marx Apollo Lunar Landing Miniature Playset from 1970 that I have in the hoard. One of the first things you notice when unboxing the set is that none of the contents match the toylike but historically more accurate artwork on the box. You don't get a Lunar Module or Command Module or any of that other stuff. You get one conceptual rover and three figures in 25mm. A fun set nevertheless. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

This is the only box I have with printing on the inside! Was it a test shot? I don't know. I'll leave it for you to decide.

Okay, what do we have here: A radar truck? communications vehicle? Death Ray truck?

A child could use their imagination to create their own scenarios.