Ajax 80mm Space Figures and Space Sets - Pt 10 Ajax #50784 Missile Set

Shown in 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, this is the Ajax #50784 Missile Set. Right up front I have to tell you - I cheated! Unfortunately, I didn't buy these pieces as a 'set', but rather gathered the components from my collection of Ajax spacemen and Processed Plastic missiles/rockets. As a fatter-of-mact, this was the only missile/rocket in my collection with the correct second stage.

Looking at the first two photos below, you'll notice the 2nd stage is tapered, but most of my PP examples are nearly perpendicular except for the one I used for the set. Also, the extract from 'Blast Off' shows the upper stages without any kind of firing or launch mechanism. On my sample, the original had a launching final stage as well as a teeny-tiny satellite (not used in the photos). Moreover, the peel-&-stick appliques' are different on mine than those shown in the book extract.

This isn't the end of my Ajax coverage as I still have to photograph all those other figures I discovered out in The Cave this past week. That said, it might still be a few days/week before I start posting those.

Ed

Extract from 'Blast Off'

(L) Tapered 2nd stage (R) Nearly perpendicular 2nd stage

My sample has the launch lever and different appliques on the 2nd and 3rd stages. 

Still, it's a decent representation of the Ajax set.

Processed Plastic Co. Titan Rocket aka ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

With this addition to the Processed Plastic Spaceship / Rocket Ship fleet I believe I have all the major variations in regards to the styles they made BUT not in regard to the type and placement in applique's. I'll explain in a second or two. If you've been following the mini-series I ended up doing on Processed Plastic rocket variations. The below photo shows pretty much what I've covered to-date. This latest addition differs in that the final stage of the rocket has a very small spring-loaded nose cone with a teen, tiny satellite! Good grief those things had to have gotten lost pretty soon after buying one of these!! The rocket measures 11 1/4" (28.57cm) H overall and 2 1/2" (6.35cm) wide fin-to-fin. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Processed Plastic played pretty fast and loose with that 'Titan' designation, plastering it on larger rockets as well as my smaller version. Look at the wide variety of applique's and how they're used on the different variations. As usual with toy companies, historical accuracy was not a prerequisite for designing and selling toys!

As you can see in the photo below of one of these rockets in its original packaging, this thing was also called an "#920 Unbreakable Atlas Air Force Intercontinental Ballistic Missile'  - whew! what a mouthful LOL

Photos courtesy of Charles Davenport

The #920 designation was also used for this version of the smaller rocket:

My 'Titan' version

Processed Plastic No. 920 USAF Surface to Air Missile v2 (blue-white-red-blue)

Here's the same missile featured yesterday but in flip-flop colors of blue-white-red-blue. The plastic wears out on the plungers such that the two locking levers on either side of the third stage will sometimes not hold the plunger in place when the top 'missile' is inserted. Sometimes you have to find a 'sweet' spot which will allow the plunger to stay down without premature firing - which can be a little scary if the darned thing launches right at your forehead!! The spring is fairly powerful and the missiles take off with some force. Still and all a fun toy! Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina