Pyro Set No. 268-2 49 4 All Plastic Space Ships

I absolutely love '50s era space art or science fiction art and the box art for Pyro's set 268-2 49 is wonderful. The space terminal reminds me of the wonderful Masonite creations made by Johillco back in the '50s. Those were featured in the book 'Blast Off' and are prohibitively expensive were one to become available today. However, Marx's Tom Corbett / Rex Mars playset buildings are a decent enough stand-in.

Ed

Tom Corbett Space Academy Building

Rex Mars HQ Building

Set No. 268-2 49 4 All Plastic Space Ships

Pyro X-400 Space Explorer

Probably the hardest to find of Pyro's Big Four classic spaceships is the X-400 Space Explorer. Like the X-300, my sample of the X-400 has broken fin tips! Arrrrghh! It measures 7.5" (19.05cm) L x 7.25" (18.41cm) W x 1.625" (4.12cm) H.

Ed

Space Art: Pyro X-300 (2nd Version)

When I came across this vintage art featuring what is clearly the Pyro X-300, I knew I had to try and replicate it, so I did one in B&W like the original, and one in color. The background was culled from the Internet, while the Moon was a picture taken by my wife. As with the pic I posted yesterday, I didn't bother to make the broken fins on my sample look longer, leaving the toy just as it looks like in my collection.

Ed

Vintage art

Space Art: Pyro X-300 (1st Version)

I wanted to place the X-300 in a nice outer space setting and this was my first attempt. I didn't bother to Photoshop it and make the rear fins longer as they be on a complete, unbroken example. Instead I kept my broken ship pretty much as is.

Ed

Pyro X-300 Space Cruiser - Silver-gray HP

Over the years, these have shown up in other colors besides silver-gray. Over the years I've been just as broke as I am now and couldn't afford to buy other colors! My sample is a tad rough which could be explained by the photos below. Oh well. It measures 9" (22.86cm) L x 3.625" (9.20cm) wingspan x 2.25" (5.71cm).

Ed

T. Cohn Spaceport with Pyro X-300

Here's a good example of why these are often found broken. They were included with T. Cohn's tin-litho Space Port. In the hangar is a spring-loaded launch mechanism which, when activated, shot the X-300 out of the bay like, welll, a rocket ship. Unfortunately that was hard as hell on the tail fins which are often found broken (as in my example). AND, if Junior shot this thing off close to a wall or cabinet, the clear nose cone could get busted as well (as on my sample)

Here, the X-300 is shown with the Space Port and an Archer spaceman 

Artwork by Will Melchior

Space Art: Pyro X-200 Space Ranger REDUX

Last posted in 2012, here's another early attempt at showing these toys in their element, aka weltall (outer space/universe).

Ed

Pyro X-200 Space Ranger Redux - Yellow-Red HP

Last of my X-200's (except for the silver one in my boxed set). Next we'll cover the X-300.

Ed