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Return to the moon...major matt mason coming---what do you want to see toy-wise?
With the recent passing of Astronaut Niel Armstrong, I took a long hard look at what I really loved about the space program and all the cool reality-based stuff that had come out, especially MAJOR MATT MASON. I know there is a movie that is coming, probably by the end of next year or year after. Mattel recently put out a MAJOR MATT WRESTLING BUDDY--big stuffed doll and in his standard moon suit to boot. SDCC 2012, Mattel had ALL vintage Major Matt Mason toys in a display case. Considering that Hasbro's TRANSFORMERS and GI JOE had movies to help support the line, Im hoping this is Mattel's way of seeing MAJOR MATT is BACK. Questions that hit my mind are A) Will Mattel just re-issue the classic bendy body w/helmet and new head and all the classic toys it came with? B) Will Mattel come up with a new and improved version based on the old or have the look and feel of the old MMM and some new and interesting vehicles? C) Will they do both a classic line and a 3 3/4 line? D) Will they have playsets and vehicles? If so, what should Mattel be shooting for?
Here are my thoughts
A) CLASSIC LINE IS A MUST--Using the same body, 4 different colors (white, red, yellow, blue) , 5 if you want a silver version, the same heads should be used and come with a helmet w/visor. Why? Nostalgia and folks that remembered MMM back in the day want the same as it was in yesteryear. Vehicles, I would hold off on unless Mattel would do something small like a sit down track sled or accessories card like they did in the day---keep it small, but they can easily charge 12-14$ MSRP and make a killing.
B) 3 3/4 figures would definately work, again same body-I would go with what Hasbro is doing with Joes/SW but keep the articulation a bit simple and focus on detail and playability. This leaves Mattel a chance to make some great vehicles ---what vehicles I have no idea, but I know I would love to see a LUNAR LANDER, COMMAND MODULE W/SERVICE MODULE (Make sure they can connect) and a ROVER of some sort to start.
C) Yes, DO BOTH!
D) God I hope so. If I was MATTEL, I would be shooting for the nostalgia factor and base everything that are thinking of doing on reality based vehicles and sensible playsets.
Vehicles-
-Some sort of Lunar Lander with detachable ascent stage--#1) Its classic and its based on the Apollo landings, I know MMM lives and works on the moon, but this set could also be used to help educate kids about SPACE and MOON EXPLORATION, especially from the beginning. Also this could be sold thru Discovery Channel/History Channel as well as NASA and NATL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM and other SPACE MUSEUMS. It has never been done other than on a very small scale, 1/48 I think. Allow for two astronauts, opening/closing hatch, compartment for storage and some minor accessories and lights/sounds if you really want all the bells and whistles.
-Command Module w/Service Module---A capsule may not work here but I like the COMMAND MODULE to connect to the LUNAR LANDER, but with this connection, I wanted the COMMAND/SERVICE Module to be able to be a playset unto itself and possibly connect to other Command/Service modules via a multi docking port that can be sold with it. Inside can be opened by opening a side panel similar to the old MMM TRANSPORT but with small connectors for feet on inside and outside, an umblical line, hatch to open and close, duty stations, stand up sleeping bags. The idea is to turn this playset into a component piece to make a Lunar Station.
Rover is a most, but I would hope something akin to what was conceptualized back when we hoped we would have a colony on the moon by the Year 2000.
I was very taken with Playmobil just due to the availability of parts, accessories and figures (ie esp astronaut) but my ideas for Playmobil could easily be utilized in a MMM line. I ask that you look at the link below and lmk what you think. I recently visited Wildtoys.com and checked out PAT LeBLANC's MMM scale LUNAR LANDER, its frakking amazing.
blog link--there are sketches and mockups to be seen.
Below is a copy of what I wrote earlier this year, it would definately apply to MMM and I think it would do very well.
Recently I watched "WHEN WE LEFT EARTH...THE NASA MISSIONS". The Military Channel had a documentary on the exploration of space, from the first Mercury missions, Gemini, Apollo and finally, the Space Shuttle. It showed mankind's first steps into the BLACK. I have always been thrilled with SPACE EXPLORATION, I had always hoped that Playmobil would tap into that like it did with Playmospace. Playmobil's last attempt at the SPACE theme seemed to leave one wanting, at least me anyway. There is so much to go to. Granted they wont tap anything with a license usually, but this seemed like a no brainer. The Exploration of Space, the final frontier. New Planets, new adventures.
Pasted above is a blog I made about some of what I wish to see, some customs that I have made. Some are crude but if you can stomach that and look past the amateur attempts, then you will see something totally worthwhile and plausible.
The SPACE Frontier theme can be broken into many sub themes/specialties that I think have incredible potential not only to thrill Playmobil fans and customizers, but for everyone that ever dreamed of being an astronaut.
Themes include but are not limited to
RETRO SPACE (FLASH GORDONESQUE type ship with minor changes to the astronauts/spacement)
.REAL SPACE -
-THE BEGINNING/
HL-24 LIFTING BODY aircraft (think 6Million dollar man's aircraft}
MERCURY-- capsule-1 astronaut,
GEMINI capsule--2 astronauts (complete with tether for spacewalk and docking apparatus/rocket body with docking hub at tip),
APOLLO Command Module and Lander (both can be bought seperate but can dock with each other, A Soyuz module (can dock with American Command module.
SPACE SHUTTLE-Shortened obviously but able to take a payload. I would really love to see it take a SPACE STATION COMPONENT/CANNISTER
EVA ASTRONAUT-Manned Maneuvering Unit-MMU with astronaut
SPACE STATION-unlike the 1st playmospace station, this will be component based and allow for attatchment of hand and foot holds on the outside so that we can get a zero G effect. They will be like cannisters that can open and you can see inside, think of it like a cylinder like lunch box. The ends and the bottom stay together, but a sidewall can swing open to reveal the inside (there will be male/female docking ports on each end plus multi dock stations that can allow for bigger connections and accessories like thrust rockets, satellite packs, work stations, antennae etc...
FUTURE SPACE
LUNAR/MARS EXPLORATION SETS-
education component could be GEOLOGY, SAFETY, TOPOGRAPHY, Tools and equipment required as well as how to measure/survey, Planets, atmospheres, zero or low gravity, farming/hyrdroponics--when I went to Disney in Florida, they were growing plants in tubes with a complicated irrigation system-nothing was wasted, it was incredible. They made hydroponics exciting. Nasa is also a part of this hydroponics program so this was actually educational and a test bed.
Surveyor team (two astronauts, survey equipment)
ROVER-rover vehicle designed to go over rough terrain, smaller rover in back, science station inside as well as cab for driving/flip out beds. Large wheels with a spring system to allow for traversering over tough rocky terrain.
APOLLO LIKE LEM AND COMMAND/SERVICE MODULES--
TRANSPORT LANDER-Based on the 2001 space odyssey Aries 1B, this will be the playset on the go, it can open to reveal observation area in the middle, storage under that for a small rover and equipment, the top section will have a cockpit that allows for two pilots.
Note-much like the USS DISCOVERY, there will be a habitat ring on the upper shell-the upper shell will open to a vertical position while the bottom half is static (there will be a hatch that leads from the bottom to the ground and slide out ramp for EVA and rover. The upper sphere will have hand and foot holds to simulate zero G. If you ever saw 2001 ASO or Mission to Mars, this is what Im trying to squeeze into the playset. This hab ring will be inset a bit into the sphere so as not to interfere with the Observation deck but there is plenty of room to accomadate the explorers.
EVA MAINTENANCE VEHICLE-my own design, this allows for the astronaut to be work in space, using it much like an undersea explorer pod with graspers and full visual windows to actually help build constructs in space. Astronaut can wear a suit or go without one. There will be a handle in the back to maneuver and to work graspers with a trigger.
DOCKING TRANSPORT POD ---to facilitate the transfer from one vehicle to another, the docking transport pod can also be a tug for transporting supplies as well as people. (not shown yet-but it is an irregular asymetrical craft--pics/sketches to come.)
HEY MATTEL IF YOU ARE READING PLEASE USE ANY OF THE IDEAS LISTED.
Here are my thoughts
A) CLASSIC LINE IS A MUST--Using the same body, 4 different colors (white, red, yellow, blue) , 5 if you want a silver version, the same heads should be used and come with a helmet w/visor. Why? Nostalgia and folks that remembered MMM back in the day want the same as it was in yesteryear. Vehicles, I would hold off on unless Mattel would do something small like a sit down track sled or accessories card like they did in the day---keep it small, but they can easily charge 12-14$ MSRP and make a killing.
B) 3 3/4 figures would definately work, again same body-I would go with what Hasbro is doing with Joes/SW but keep the articulation a bit simple and focus on detail and playability. This leaves Mattel a chance to make some great vehicles ---what vehicles I have no idea, but I know I would love to see a LUNAR LANDER, COMMAND MODULE W/SERVICE MODULE (Make sure they can connect) and a ROVER of some sort to start.
C) Yes, DO BOTH!
D) God I hope so. If I was MATTEL, I would be shooting for the nostalgia factor and base everything that are thinking of doing on reality based vehicles and sensible playsets.
Vehicles-
-Some sort of Lunar Lander with detachable ascent stage--#1) Its classic and its based on the Apollo landings, I know MMM lives and works on the moon, but this set could also be used to help educate kids about SPACE and MOON EXPLORATION, especially from the beginning. Also this could be sold thru Discovery Channel/History Channel as well as NASA and NATL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM and other SPACE MUSEUMS. It has never been done other than on a very small scale, 1/48 I think. Allow for two astronauts, opening/closing hatch, compartment for storage and some minor accessories and lights/sounds if you really want all the bells and whistles.
-Command Module w/Service Module---A capsule may not work here but I like the COMMAND MODULE to connect to the LUNAR LANDER, but with this connection, I wanted the COMMAND/SERVICE Module to be able to be a playset unto itself and possibly connect to other Command/Service modules via a multi docking port that can be sold with it. Inside can be opened by opening a side panel similar to the old MMM TRANSPORT but with small connectors for feet on inside and outside, an umblical line, hatch to open and close, duty stations, stand up sleeping bags. The idea is to turn this playset into a component piece to make a Lunar Station.
Rover is a most, but I would hope something akin to what was conceptualized back when we hoped we would have a colony on the moon by the Year 2000.
I was very taken with Playmobil just due to the availability of parts, accessories and figures (ie esp astronaut) but my ideas for Playmobil could easily be utilized in a MMM line. I ask that you look at the link below and lmk what you think. I recently visited Wildtoys.com and checked out PAT LeBLANC's MMM scale LUNAR LANDER, its frakking amazing.
blog link--there are sketches and mockups to be seen.
Below is a copy of what I wrote earlier this year, it would definately apply to MMM and I think it would do very well.
Recently I watched "WHEN WE LEFT EARTH...THE NASA MISSIONS". The Military Channel had a documentary on the exploration of space, from the first Mercury missions, Gemini, Apollo and finally, the Space Shuttle. It showed mankind's first steps into the BLACK. I have always been thrilled with SPACE EXPLORATION, I had always hoped that Playmobil would tap into that like it did with Playmospace. Playmobil's last attempt at the SPACE theme seemed to leave one wanting, at least me anyway. There is so much to go to. Granted they wont tap anything with a license usually, but this seemed like a no brainer. The Exploration of Space, the final frontier. New Planets, new adventures.
Pasted above is a blog I made about some of what I wish to see, some customs that I have made. Some are crude but if you can stomach that and look past the amateur attempts, then you will see something totally worthwhile and plausible.
The SPACE Frontier theme can be broken into many sub themes/specialties that I think have incredible potential not only to thrill Playmobil fans and customizers, but for everyone that ever dreamed of being an astronaut.
Themes include but are not limited to
RETRO SPACE (FLASH GORDONESQUE type ship with minor changes to the astronauts/spacement)
.REAL SPACE -
-THE BEGINNING/
HL-24 LIFTING BODY aircraft (think 6Million dollar man's aircraft}
MERCURY-- capsule-1 astronaut,
GEMINI capsule--2 astronauts (complete with tether for spacewalk and docking apparatus/rocket body with docking hub at tip),
APOLLO Command Module and Lander (both can be bought seperate but can dock with each other, A Soyuz module (can dock with American Command module.
SPACE SHUTTLE-Shortened obviously but able to take a payload. I would really love to see it take a SPACE STATION COMPONENT/CANNISTER
EVA ASTRONAUT-Manned Maneuvering Unit-MMU with astronaut
SPACE STATION-unlike the 1st playmospace station, this will be component based and allow for attatchment of hand and foot holds on the outside so that we can get a zero G effect. They will be like cannisters that can open and you can see inside, think of it like a cylinder like lunch box. The ends and the bottom stay together, but a sidewall can swing open to reveal the inside (there will be male/female docking ports on each end plus multi dock stations that can allow for bigger connections and accessories like thrust rockets, satellite packs, work stations, antennae etc...
FUTURE SPACE
LUNAR/MARS EXPLORATION SETS-
education component could be GEOLOGY, SAFETY, TOPOGRAPHY, Tools and equipment required as well as how to measure/survey, Planets, atmospheres, zero or low gravity, farming/hyrdroponics--when I went to Disney in Florida, they were growing plants in tubes with a complicated irrigation system-nothing was wasted, it was incredible. They made hydroponics exciting. Nasa is also a part of this hydroponics program so this was actually educational and a test bed.
Surveyor team (two astronauts, survey equipment)
ROVER-rover vehicle designed to go over rough terrain, smaller rover in back, science station inside as well as cab for driving/flip out beds. Large wheels with a spring system to allow for traversering over tough rocky terrain.
APOLLO LIKE LEM AND COMMAND/SERVICE MODULES--
TRANSPORT LANDER-Based on the 2001 space odyssey Aries 1B, this will be the playset on the go, it can open to reveal observation area in the middle, storage under that for a small rover and equipment, the top section will have a cockpit that allows for two pilots.
Note-much like the USS DISCOVERY, there will be a habitat ring on the upper shell-the upper shell will open to a vertical position while the bottom half is static (there will be a hatch that leads from the bottom to the ground and slide out ramp for EVA and rover. The upper sphere will have hand and foot holds to simulate zero G. If you ever saw 2001 ASO or Mission to Mars, this is what Im trying to squeeze into the playset. This hab ring will be inset a bit into the sphere so as not to interfere with the Observation deck but there is plenty of room to accomadate the explorers.
EVA MAINTENANCE VEHICLE-my own design, this allows for the astronaut to be work in space, using it much like an undersea explorer pod with graspers and full visual windows to actually help build constructs in space. Astronaut can wear a suit or go without one. There will be a handle in the back to maneuver and to work graspers with a trigger.
DOCKING TRANSPORT POD ---to facilitate the transfer from one vehicle to another, the docking transport pod can also be a tug for transporting supplies as well as people. (not shown yet-but it is an irregular asymetrical craft--pics/sketches to come.)
HEY MATTEL IF YOU ARE READING PLEASE USE ANY OF THE IDEAS LISTED.
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