The Space Chariots - Nomura

Robby Space Patrol

 Here are three of the finest of all space toys. The origin is not difficult to find: the Space Chariot from "The Forbidden Planet". Nomura evidently saw the potential selling power of Robby and his vehicle and decided to exploit both. The problem seems to be that while they got away with the "Mechanized Robot" knock-off, the Space Chariot with its brazen Robby logo was just too flagrant a breech of copyright. The space vehicle rapidly disappeared from sale.

The enduring appeal of Robby together with the unexpectedly short run accounts for the spectacular prices that this piece achieves whenever it is offered for sale. The action is particularly effective: the bump'n'go mechanism has had a simple adaption that permits Robby to turn in the direction of movement. It replaces the usual randomness of movement with an impression of complexity and purpose. Robby is detachable for storage. Replacements are available for those huge circular plastic (and fragile!) shields. And Robby? Well, it's the top half of the Pug Robby complete with gold paint.

It's no surprise that such a classic piece as this was the subject of reproduction. The repro is one of the best that I have seen, preserving all the impact of the original. While repro Mr Atomics still linger on the dealers' shelves, this repro is steadily rising in value.

So Nomura found themselves with molds that needed to be put to alternative use. The simple solution was to remove the Robby content and replace it with a plastic dome. This forms the basis of the Moon Car and the Moon Ship.

 Moon Car

 

This is often referred to as the Moon Patrol, or Space Division 3, the names on the vehicle, though it is Moon Car on the box. Instead of the top half of Robby there's a huge plastic dome containing an elaborate planet structure decorated with tinplate rockets and planets. It lights and an inner portion rotates along with the mystery action. The dome frequently disappears, as I know only too well. I have a mint boxed one waiting for a saint with a dome. (That's a hint.)

Rumor has it that a factory still turns out dome pressing for gumball machines that are identical to the Nomura dome. If anyone can shed light on this then I would be grateful for the information The glaringly empty seats of the Robby Chariot have acquired a driver, a neat tinplate astronaut who lends scale to the toy. Oddly enough, he's not shown on the box.

 Moon Space Ship

 

Very similar in overall appearance is the last of the three. Confusingly, it's also called the Moon Car on the box, though the actual vehicle carries the Moon Space Ship wording. It's another spectacular space vehicle with real presence. Unfortunately the astronaut who found his way on to the Moon Car has gone, and this great piece is left with an empty feel. It needs a driver to give it some sort of scale or context. The dome structure is largely identical to the Moon Car, though the innards are now a vague complicated cylindrical device, lighted as before. Can't help regretting the fact that the driver's taken a hike; still, I'd swap granny for one of these.