Processed Plastic Apollo Moon Rocket v3

It seems like every time I turn round Processed Plastic is throwing a curve my way. Masters at recycling toys they swap out an applique' here, a color there and voila' a 'new' toy!

Here's a pic culled from eBay showing a carded version of what PP calls the "Apollo Moon Rocket", yet clearly it is a Gemini capsule not an Apollo! I've labeled this 'Processed Plastic Apollo Moon Rocket v1' because I have a photo of a known packaging calling the toy an 'Apollo Rocket'. Notice it uses the 'USAF" applique' in vertical script on the rocket.

 My sample is in the same colors however the first stage is different. On my sample the rocket nacelles are flush with the outside of the fuselage. Notice the applique's do not mention 'Apollo'.

Here's another sample that I refer to as Processed Plastic Apollo Moon Rocket v2. In this one the plastic parts all match up to the carded version shown above. Here you see the engine nacelles are flared. The biggest differences are: -The flip-flop colors 

-The applique's is clearly labeled 'APOLLO" in bold, horizontal script on the first stage

-The capsule is closed. There are no openings to show off the two astronauts

Now let's get on to the latest sample which I've labeled Processed Plastic Apollo Moon Rocket v3. All the castings are the same as v2 however in lieu of the 'APOLLO" sticker, on the first stage there's an American flag on the capsule. After looking at my v2 version there doesn't appear to be any residue from a sticker on the capsule so this may be one of PP's inexhaustible hocus-pocus acts.

 The Processed Plastic fleet as it stands today with size, color, and applique' differences.

Processed Plastic No. 920 USAF Surface to Air Missile v2 (blue-white-red-blue)

Here's the same missile featured yesterday but in flip-flop colors of blue-white-red-blue. The plastic wears out on the plungers such that the two locking levers on either side of the third stage will sometimes not hold the plunger in place when the top 'missile' is inserted. Sometimes you have to find a 'sweet' spot which will allow the plunger to stay down without premature firing - which can be a little scary if the darned thing launches right at your forehead!! The spring is fairly powerful and the missiles take off with some force. Still and all a fun toy! Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

Processed Plastic No. 920 USAF Surface to Air Missile v2 (red-white-blue-white)

Okay, sorry, can't get this Processed Plastic stuff outta my blood. So here's what's been happening. When gathering my PP rockets for a group mug shots I noticed how the No. 920 USAF Missile had two different heights as well as coming in flip-flop colors. The ones I've posted so far have been what I call Version 1 (v1) which are the slightly taller missile's while I've labeled the shorter ones Version 2 (v2) which measures 10 1/2" (26.67cm) H. This is simply as a way to keep things straight in my head, certainly not an official designation. The second version missiles are made of a slightly more softer, more pliable type plastic the their taller brothers. So anywho, that being said, here's the photo rundown of (starting from the bottom stage) the red-white-blue-white missile. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina

The four missiles on the right are the No. 920's. The 3rd and 4th from the right are the taller version 1 types while the 1st and 2nd are the shorter version 2.

Processed Plastic No. 9670 Space Shuttle Columbia - Red fuselage

Here's the last color variation of Processed Plastic's Space Shuttle Columbia that I'm aware of. My sample is missing the large fuel tank and booster rockets though so I don't know what colors they were. These red versions are often listed as 'rare' - don't believe it! There's far too many of these that come up for sale to be anywhere close to 'rare'! I'll give it 'Slightly Hard To Find' but that's it! That being said it's a nice addition to the PP fleet. Enjoy! Opa Fritz and Oma Bettina