Now here is one of the most interesting offerings from the Multiple Toymakers / MPC line of Space Race toys, the No. 3004 U.S. Orbital Lab from 1970. This orbital station pre-dated our own real world Skylab by 3 years. Skylab was only occupied for 24 weeks during the period of May '73 to Feb '74 and was much smaller and only three astronauts at a time would man it. Multiple's orbital station on the other hand had three levels and was equipped with many more astronauts. More on that later.
The station is of the soft carry-case vaiety but unlike others of its ilk, it is cylindrical, not boxy and measures 20 1/2" (52.7cm) H x 7" (17.78cm) diameter. There are two latches on the side with the handle sticking through a hole in the opening flap. There are three levels: an upper level Control Observatory, a middle level Navigation/Communications Center, and a lower level Nuclear Power Station. Each level has a central seating area and access from one level to the other is made via ladders which can be positioned at various locations within the craft. There are several shepherd's crook-shaped pieces that serve as lanyard's or life-line's that can be placed on any level and stick out from each floor. You wrap the 'hook' end around a figure and it appears as if they're engaged in a space walk.
The photo below shows all the pieces that came with my set but it's apparent there were extra's like that Space Center observation dome. BTW, that bag of astronaut figures in the front holds 150 of Multiple's astronauts! I don't know how many of those originally came with the set but it does seem excessive. That being said I have seen header bag sets offered with 150 astronauts in them and MPC / Multiple sprayed these suckers on the market like fire retardant on a forest fire. Good Lord why? I don't know. Given that the small Space Control Center playset I posted a few days ago had 50 astronauts in it, it's no strecth to believe this set could've included 100-150. But that's just pure speculation until confirmation comes of a mint example with all the figures and accessories. Ina any case - Enjoy! Opa Fritz
The Control Observatory level left-toright
The Navigation/Communications Center level left-to-right
The Nuclear Power Station level left-to-right
Astronauts 'outside' the station on a space walk
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