Been chasing one of these for a while. The same space capsule form was issued in all of the Marx playlets from the 1960s but have good reason to be sure this one is an "Operation Moon Base" 1962 original. The capsule was cast in both the red/orange plastic here + a silver/gray plastic as well though I am only familiar with the red variant as a Moon Base component. Not sure how you would end up with the silver one, nor have I yet seen a loose silver capsule offered up. Would love to learn more -- please comment or message via the form below -- and as far as I know the capsule was not included in any of the Marx space sets from the 1970s.
The capsule deconstructed: Five pieces, all of which were part of the same mould and should match in color. This one obviously contaminated by tape residue and indeed the capsule cone does not fit to its base all that soundly, explaining why someone had it taped. Kids like to do stuff like that and this was someone's toy rather than a museum piece or "morgue" remnant.
YES.
Comparing the fit to the seat with other Marx type driver or pilot figures, the silver an Operation Moon Base figure, the darker blue by Marx from a matched set and the lighter blue a Made in Hong Kong copy likely by MPC.
Moon Base pilot fits perfectly.
Standard issue Marx pilot clearly too small.
And dittos for the MPC copy.
MPC
Marx
Badass.
The top of the capsule crowned by this contraption with the loop meant to be caught by a hook dangling from a recovery helicopter from the Cape Canaveral playset ... Not sure what is supposed to hook it from Moon Base, now that I think about it.
Simulating intended use with my Moon Train space chopper. How a helicopter would work on the moon beyond me but I digress.
With the ATV Space Tank and some of my moon terrain made from cement glazed with acrylic tar gel by Golden's Artist Colors. Capsule resting on a large cast iron gear I found.
A certain amount of coolness going on here ... Now I want the matching gantry. And them green Moon Men.
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