Mini Spacewolf

One of the smallest ships in my collection - mini spacewolf of Captain Harlock.

Spacewolf, maker unknown, Japan,
1970's

Goldorak - Grendizer - Grandizer - Goldrake

Goldorak, Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Goldorak, Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Goldorak (detail), Shogun Warriors,
Mattel (Popy) Japan, 1970's

Some toys seem to travel with me wherever I go. This Goldorak from my childhood has spent some time in Funchal, Madeira.

Classic Plastic

Robot, unknown, Hong Kong,
1970's

He has the look of a Shogun Warrior, but the walking stance of a classic Bot. Who is he? Which galaxy does he come from?

Whistle when in danger !

Space Whistles, Pyro, USA,
1950's

For all space astronauts out there, here is the ultimate whistle for your earth missions. An exact replica of your spaceship - Pyrotomic propulsion !
When in danger, just blow and the cavalery will arrive !

Space Scout doll

 

Space Scout Doll, the House of Dolls, Chicago, USA,
1955

As a preliminary to the conquest of space, America did sell the concept of interplanetary travel through the new medias, radio (Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon in the 30ies and 40ies) and TV. In the baby boomer years, lots of space shows tickled the imagination of girls and boys from Alaska to Florida. As this toy shows, space was not only a boys play (even though the tons of rockets and robots and rayguns seem to prove otherwise). Also, even though you had to breathe in a plastic helmet - having fashionable hair was still really important.

Crayola Spacetank

Camouflage definitely not needed on moon. STOP.
Very nice way to paint a tank. STOP.
Give me box of crayons...

Jet and Rocket Tank, Peter Pan, England, 1950's

Robotic plastic

Mr. Jig, Artech, Hong Kong,
1970s

Spinning dishes on the head ? My name is Mr.Radar... what do you expect ?

Radar robot, KY, Japan,
1960s

Radar Robot, Yokota, Japan,
1970's

Hands up, it is a robot robbery .... or at least some classic toy-design. Love the rivets... a Robot needs to have rivets. It gives it some retro look.

Push robot, Imperial Toy corp.,
Hong Kong, 1950's

UFO

Yes, ... the missile comes in black 

Another great English space show, and from the same maker as the Thunderbirds, was UFO - but this time not made with puppets but real actors. The plot ? A base on the moon that helped a secret organization free the earth of UFO attacks.

(or orange...) Shado Interceptor, UFO, Dinky Toys, UK,
1970s

Spacetanks

Space tank w/missile, Tudor Rose, UK,
1950s

What is the best way to go around the moon and still be prepared for any alien attack that can occur ? You bet it - it's the space tank.

This one is very colorfull - and has a rubber bladder dome that can shoot bursts of air ! Hence the missile that goes on the canon.

And what do you do when no tracks are available ? You go for this version : the "walking" tank / space vehicle.

Walking space vehicle, Gakken, Japan,
1970s

Marklin

The pride and joy of father and son - here are some pictures of the Marklin Layout I left in my home country.

We are only able to make it run once in a while (about every year or so) - but except some spider webs in the tunnels, it always works like a charm as soon as we plug in the transfo.

Marklin Layout, Belgium - David helping dad put cars on the track

Batten Robomaru

Batten Robomaru, Popy, Japan,
1970s

Another cute robot from Japan, this one is a storage box for little rubber figurines. He goes well alongside Robocon and his friends.

The back is full of rubber figurines of the
characters of the show !

Casimir

In need of a friendly monster ? Say hello to Casimir, the hero of a kid's show in the late 70ies in France called l'île aux Enfants. He was a friendly monster that loved to cook and eat gloubi glouba (don't ask what that is to your French cook !)

Group of Casimir toys, France

Casimir, Delacoste, France
1970s

Astrosmurf, Schleich, Portugal
1969

And now, a little blue note to my compatriot Peyo who opened the "BD" world to my son (together with Hergé, of course...)

Cosmoschtroumpf, Orli Jouet, France
1983

Thunderbirds

5,4,3,2,1,... Thunderbirds are Go ! When color made its debut on British television, kids shows finally were packed with adventures and out-of the world vehicles. The secret ? Puppets. Gerry Anderson had a try at it in previous shows like Fireball XL-5 or Stingray, but it would be his Thunderbirds show that would make the world wake to a new type of Sci-Fi design. Shows became instant hits in Japan, the Netherlands, and the USA. An incredible number of special effects and modelers were called to the rescue, some of them working on James Bond movies later on.

Motorized Thunderbird 2 kit, maker unknown
1960s

The storyboard, that of a family that was involved in the most dazling rescue operations but always trying to keep their identities secret, was thrilling at every episode. And when the kids saw the magic lines "filmed in Supermarionation" on the screen filled with explosions of every kind, they knew they had one of the best Sci-Fi on TV.

FAB 1, JR21 toy, United Kingdom,
1960s

Tetsujin 28

Tetsujin 28 and Monster robot, Nostalgic Heroes, Japan,

1990s

This pot-belly robot was quite popular in the States - Tetsujin 28 aka Gigantor. He is your robot version of Japan's Sumo warriors. In the cartoon, Tetsujin is a robot with incredible strength, but no intelligence whatsoever. He is remote controlled by a young boy, Jimmy Sparks. In Japan - original tin toys of this character were made in great numbers. These vinyl repros have their charm also.