Marx Flintstone Figures

 While out perusing antiques (this time in nearby Crawfordsville, IN) I came across these Marx Flintstone figures.

L to R: Betty and Barney Rubble, Dino, and Wilma and Fred Flintstone

Got these as part of a lot with other various bits and bobs, and was hoping that I could safely remove the paint. Used Dino as the test, and submerged him in a jar of Citristrip. After a few hours submerged, and after a gentle wash and scrub, Dino was paint free. Here are the figures:

Marx Figure - Fred Flintstone

Marx Figure - Fred Flintstone

Marx Figure - Wilma Flintstone

Marx Figure - Wilma Flintstone

Marx Figure - Barney Rubble

Marx Figure - Barney Rubble

Marx Figure - Betty Rubble

Marx Figure - Betty Rubble

Marx Figure - Dino

Marx Figure - Dino

Mattel Dream Mobile

 In 2020 Mattel, in its Hot Wheels line, released a Hot Wheels version of its first vehicle, the Dream Mobile, released in 1953.

From the back of the card: "In 1953, Elliot Handler and Joseph Kossof designed what would be Mattel's first toy vehicle, but it wasn't a Hot Wheels; it was a futuristic bubble-topped convertible with a friction motor called the Mattel Dream Car. Now that first vehicle has been recreated in die-cast as a fitting tribute to a dream that became a reality."

After that was released, I actually noticed one "in the wild" while at an antique shop.

In rough shape, and not complete, but still a neat toy. Wasn't willing to pay their asking price, but may try to add this to my vintage collection.

Marchon Air Commander from the Mysterians collection.

Convertible toys were taking off in the mid-80s, with Transformers first hitting the market in 1984. Marchon released a line of convertible robots in 1984, too. This was the Mysterians, a line of 6 figures, including Air Commander. I had one of these, the Major Repair Robot, which is surprising as I don't remember still buying toys this late into the eighties.

I love the schematic included as card art (images from here). Air Commander comes equipped with "Twin movable radar sensitive radar guns [that] provide front & rear attack defense". "Head shield opens to reveal x-ray scanner eyes". "Hidden body compartment hides swivel laser arms". "Armor plated droid is computer controlled from central attack station". "Central compartment flips down to release secret RADAR droid". "Side panels open to expose 2-way terrain stabilizers & movable roller wheels".

Matchbox Fire Station - an attempt at a rehab

I picked up a Matchbox Fire Station some time back off of eBay. Wasn't complete, which I knew, but it had been "repaired" and then painted, which was not evident from the pictures. It was sold "as is" and the price wasn't too bad, even for the condition, so I kept it without complaint. The paint was rubbing off, revealing stains from the glue, so I decided to repaint it myself. Couldn't figure a good way to get the stickers off without damaging them, so just painted around them. Here are the before pictures:

Matchbox Replacement parts

I have 3 of the Snow Tracs (35B), and all of them are missing the rubber tracks. I found this site:
https://www.modelcarparts.com/ for ordering replacement parts. The tracks ran 1.50 euros each, but well worth it. My order shipped quickly and was accurate, so I plan on doing further business with them.

 Need to replace the glass on this one. No idea what happened to it.

Corgi Studebaker Wagonaire Ambulance

I got this Wagonaire ambulance off of eBay still on the card. Paid a bit of a premium, but was willing to do so for the Indiana connection Studebaker has. Figures are from Preiser, I believe. 

Lionel Girl's Train

From the Children's Museum collection - the poorly selling "Girls Train" from Lionel.

Matchbox Adventure 2000

Messing around with my collection of Matchbox's Adventure 2000 and came to the determination that they are about O scale. As is the figure writing the parking ticket. 

Parking lot is simply a piece of sandpaper with electrian's tape for the markings.

Galactic Game Room

Trio of classic games

Just got a Convertors TILT pinball machine off of eBay and had to show it off. I also scored 2 candy holders in the shape of classic arcade games, and the scene was complete. Never was a Pac-Man or Space Invaders fan, but these do go well with the pinball game.

Science!!!

My geekiness is not just confined to toys. The current display in my home office is science themed.

The orrery is a model from a British partwork magazine. First came across it in Ireland. Got the model a few years back for Christmas, and am very pleased with the finished product. The chemistry set is one I picked up at a toy auction.

Toy Auction from the Carter Toy Museum

The owner of the Carter Toy Museum (now closed) passed away and an auction was held to sell off his impressive collection. The auction was well-attended. Below is just a small sample of what was up for sale.

I would have liked to buy the vintage toy ships, but the bidding quickly went beyond my budget.

The tin toy gas station was also sold for more than I could afford.

Vintage Trains at the Childrens' Museum

Part of the permanent displays at the Indianapolis Childrens' Museum is a collection of vintage trains manufactured by Lionel, American Flyer, Ives, and others. The display is behind glass, so getting good photos is a skill beyond me.

Martian Mine

3M (Martian Metals & Minerals) started a mining operation on Mars.The operation relies primarily on robots to keep costs down.

Shinsei produced a series of 8 diecast robots, 5 of which are construction-themed. I have acquired 6 of the 8 toys, and had many of these as a lad. Airfix astronauts may not be the right scale, but look good to me.

Mountains go with a Christmas village display (hence the snow); the rock face being worked is part of a Matchbox construction playset. I was going to shoot these photos outside, but it started to rain

Take a Toy to Work

My job is fairly tolerant as to my idiosyncrasies and I can decorate my office within reason. I try to rotate my display every quarter, letting my toys see the light of day. This is my last display:

 A trio of Marx tanks on the top shelf; the tin lithograph HQ Building from Marx Training Center, along with a couple of tents and soldiers on parade. The top left toy is a battery operated tin toy, probably from Japan. I can't find any indication of the manufacturer - let me know if you have any idea who made it, and when.

Vintage Space Toys from the Children's Museum

After the war, Space travel was becoming more popular and seemed more possible. The serials of the '30s were popular, such as Flash Gordon, and were the basis of various themed toys. Once manufacturing production could be shifted away from munitions, toy production was resumed and expanded to deal with the baby boom. These are part of the collection at the Children's Museum.

Exploration Train by Cragstan, made about 1958.

Hot Wheels at the Children's Museum

Getting caught up and trying to get organized. The Children's Museum in Indianapolis, a true jewel for me as both a toy aficionado and parent, hosted a traveling display of Hot Wheels and associated items. This was in 2012.

I played with many of these as a child, and was drawn more to the "realistic" models over the more fanciful ones. My friend and I spent many hours building roads in the dirt or using wooden blocks to make highways. Sadly, I didn't keep any of these toys.

Life Size Twin Mill

Lucky Products, Inc. "100 pc Toy Soldier Set"

One of the first set of toy soldiers I remember playing with as a lad was a set advertised in comic books, as above.  My friend had gotten a set after responding to the ad. The ad didn't make mention of the fact that these were flats, so it was a little disappointing once received. Also, it was a strange mix - 8 officers, 8 WAVES, and 8 WACS, but only 4 tanks and 8 machine gunners. Don't remember wishing I had more Wacs when I was setting up a battle scene. But I do have fond memories of the set, and I was pleased to pick up a few at the Toy Soldier Show. Lose bag of figures for only $3. And at this point I like the facts that they did do figures of the WACS and WAVES

Bazooka, sharpshooters, infantry man, and officer

Rocket Base USA pt 2

The set I received came with figures showing 10 distinct poses. Not a huge fan of the white plastic, but the figures do show some great detail. Communication devices, either field telephone/radios or other forms, are shown on a couple of figures. Got to love what state of the art communications was in the 1960s. Nice selection of ground crew/mechanics and security for the missiles. The last figure came with this set, but doesn't look to be original. Not sure what he is supposed to be doing, but I find his pose to be unintentionally funny.