AirDave's Kool Wheelz Collection

[murphyaa]

The most impractical scene in the movie


He did stick the landing though.

But yeah, too complicated for KoolWheelz.

[airdave]

Originally Posted by JohnM

'ows about this'n then Dave?

Not sure who's model that is, but it has a number of inaccuracies.
I like the look of the model, so this is nothing more than silly nitpicking...

First, the X-2 cycle was a three wheeler (little wheels made to fit the launch ramp).
Actually registered as an aircraft, not a motor cycle.

The X-1 cycle had two motorcycle wheels under it (like the model)
but the front wheel was much further forward.

The Paint scheme resembles, but does not match either the X-1 or X-2.

The entire vehicle is too short but the model more closely resembles the X-1.
However, the X-1 had an aerodynamic canopy/enclosed Cockpit.
The X-2 is longer and more rocket like, and has an open cockpit

I don't have a big personal interest in this bike.
I never even saw the original launch.
And of course, it failed to achieve any where near its goal (to jump the Snake River Canyon)
and the entire stunt is surrounded by controversy.

Knievel states he ran out of money after the first two rocket cycle test jumps, so he had to go ahead and launch.
But the first two test jumps failed so miserably, theres no way he could have thought this was going to work.
He even states in an interview, he expected failure.
And having the parachute conveniently deploy during the launch seems to me like a good way to claim a valid but failed attempt,
and fulfill your responsibility to the sponsors.
Just my opinion.

I think he made a ton of money, but disappointed a lot of sponsors, on that entire project.

[gotham]

Thinking on the walk to work this morning - possible Cool Wheelz contender; the Mini Moke taxi from 'The Prisoner'.

[JohnM]

Now that's more like the sort of answer I was expecting.
I'd better not tell yer where I got it. They might get upset.
Enough to say that the model flies under rocket power.
Probably more successfully than the original.

So can I assume that a CORRECT model will appear soon in Koolweelz ?

[airdave]

Mini Moke...we actually discussed this a long while back.
I had planned to include the Mini Moke, since I am a fan of that show.
But somewhere it got forgotten.

I am writing it back onto my to-do list as we speak!

...
John, it would have been nice to know this is some sort of flying model,
before I gave comment.
That changes my opinion of its historical accuracy.
Obviously concessions have to made for the sake of flight and model rocket.
(In the same way, my KoolWheelz models are altered to better suit the design requirements)

But the paint scheme, X-1/X-2 markings are all still wrong.

...
and no, you will not see any Evel Knievel models from me.

[Cami]

Dave, your Land Speederz truck immediately made me think of this one, and I wondered if it was cool enough to become a candidate for the Kool Wheelz to do list?



Cami

[airdave]

LOL I likes me a good Tractor Pull, but thats a bit too redneck...even for me!



I think you have the skills to do this one yourself?
Or, has the master retired?

[airdave]

So, I was recently reminded about the Mini-Moke from TVs The Prisoner.
This was a car on my original to-do list many years back, but it somehow got lost in the shuffle.

I never watched The Prisoner when it was first on TV, but I was always very curious.
It was too cerebral and grown up for me.
In 1967 I was only 7 years old...so I was into Batman and satruday morning cartoons.

But years later I got to see a few episodes while in College and I have since learned much about the production.
Patrick McGoohan co created and starred in the show which only ran for 17 episodes.
He played the imprisoned Secret Agent known only as Number 6.
Sadly, McGoohan died in 2009 at 80 years old.

I always though it was on TV a lot longer than 17 episodes!

A couple of years ago, there was a mildly successful reboot of The Prisoner series (made for TV)
and there have been rumours of a motion picture version...with Christopher (Dark Knight) Nolan at the helm.

The original Prisoner TV show featured two notable vehicles.
Number 6's Lotus 7...which is pretty much only seen in the opening credits.
and the Mini-Moke "Taxis" used in the "Village".

The Mini-Moke Taxi was recreated by Dinky Toys in the 60s
I might have owned a Dinky Mini-Moke, I can't honestly remember.
...I'm not aware they made a Prisoner version of the Lotus 7 but I could be wrong on that.

The Mini-Moke was one of many attempts to design a General Purpose Military vehicle, similar to the American Jeep,
however it gained notoriety and success as a civilian "beach buggy" type, used mostly by tropical resorts and island commuters around the world.

It was built by the British Motor Corporation using Austin Mini parts.
The body/chassis was an aluminum monocoque design.
The Mini-Moke was also manufactured in Australia, and then Portugal, as the Morris Mini-Moke.

You can't help but love the open top "dune buggy" styling
...and since it has a Dinky Toy connection...
and a major TV connection...
I figured it was about time for me to get a KoolWheelz version finished.

I am just finishing up things, getting ready to publish the model.
Here is the finished build with a repro Dinky Toy box!

[gotham]

Dave - again, thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.
1st the SHADO mobile, now the Prisoner Mini Moke.You are quite literally making my dreams come true. (Airdave for prez -of anything- !)
I remember seeing The Prisoner the 1st time out. Probably too young at the time to fully understand it, but there was something about it that attracted me. You kind of wanted to be in The Village, but not at the same time (would you want to be chased along a beach by Rover?!) I was a member of Six of One (the fan club) for some years. A couple of years ago my mother was on a holiday tour that included Portmerion (The Village). I think I might still have some of the Six of One magazines as ther had (very basic) plans for card models of the main buildings of the village.

[airdave]

Now that would be a wonderful card model...
the village of Portmeiron!
What a wonderful place it is.

If I ever run out of ideas, that will be a project to retire on.