ROCKET SHIPS
 
 

Early 1960's cap rocket

Used the same "Greenie Meanie" stick on caps
as  " Shootin Shells " and eventually
Mattel's Major Matt Mason Satellite Launcher
and Space Probe launcher.
 

Mattel Greenie Stik-M-Caps

Top small box contains 120 shots of the
Mattel Greenie Stik-M-Caps stock # 633
Measures 3-1/4" x 2-1/4" x 1/2"
copyright of 1958 Mattel, Inc. Hawthorne, Calif.

Bottom large box contains 480 shots
stock # 634 measures 4" x 3-1/4"
 

Came in three sizes over the years,
120 shots ( stock # 633 )
240 shots ( no number yet )
 480 shots ( stock # 634 )
 
 

circa 1963
Rocket on left launches a sputnik like satellite,
while rocket on right launches a small warhead
that explodes a cap on impact.
 
 

As the race for space progressed
the toys of the day followed closely behind.
 

mint on card
 

A plastic Mercury capsule and
astronauts in various poses.
 
 

The set contained, Space capsule, Republic space suit, Stanford space suit,
1 red astronaut and 12 silver astronauts. The astronauts are
about 2 1/4 inches tall and the capsule is about 5 1/4 inches tall.
The original price was 79 cents.

You put the Astronaut in his seat and snapped the capsule together,
then you lightly wrapped the parachute around it. Next
you tossed the capsule up as high into the air
as you could. It returned safely to earth by parachute
( parachute not shown in pic )

Notice the fully enclosed Moon Suit ( top of pic )
for exploring the lunar surface. An idea jumped
on by toy companies but quickly abandoned
by Nasa. If an astronaut fell over while wearing the
suit, he could not get up without help.
 

Late 1960's
Processed Plastics Corp. releases
a plastic Apollo Saturn rocket

Still mint on the card (MOC)
 
 
 

Between the late 60's and mid 70's the
design changed slightly and color combinations
varied. There were different first stages and capsules
but the basic style and launching device remained.
 

3 types of bases
Possibly multiple manufacturers
as one base is unmarked
 

The Ejector
 

Pushing  the capsule down onto the rocket
would compress the spring loaded center post.
When the two side tabs were pressed the spring
was released and the post fired the capsule into the air !
 
 
 

Capsule rear detail shows a Lunar Module
with landing gear retracted.
Older style molded in white plastic,
newer style in chrome color.
 

Show off your collection here.
Contribute pics of Lunar Base Play sets.
Close up views needed.
All contributors will be acknowledged
 

Brave Astronauts
 

The imaginations of children around the world soared
to new heights during the race for the moon. The children didn't
really care who got there first, they were wise enough to know that
the moon was big enough for everyone. Every little boy ( and girl )
grew up believing that someday they would live and work on the moon.
The toys of the sixties reflected that optimism.
 

Multiple Plastics Corp. (MPC), Processed Plastics Corp.,
Multiple Toymakers Inc., Marx and others all produced
plastic astronauts in various sizes, colors and poses.
The most popular being 2 inches tall and molded in
patriotic red, white or blue suited space men.
 
 
 

Once our rockets got them safely to the moon
they would need a place to stay.
 

This toy featured interlocking modules
that made up a clover shaped moon base.
 
 
 
 

A pair of modules made up the basic station.
This could be expanded by adding another at the top
of the picture and one at the bottom, forming a plus sign.
If viewed straight down from the top it looked like a 4 leaf clover.
These modules were stackable in order to build Lunar apartments.
 
 
 

Station interior was detailed with
control panels and radar screens
 
 
 
 
 

The same toy was sold under different names like
" Beyond Tomorrow Lunar play set "
and " Space Control Center "
 
 
 

The lunar  base was sold in small sets with some astronauts or in
large sets with moon rovers, launch pads and transport vehicles.
 
 
 
 
 

Space Control Center

Updated 11 27 07