Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A. - Pt 2 Missile Defense Base

According to the box, this component of the Deluxe Reading Rocket Base USA is called the 'Missile Defense Base' and consists of a launch pad with three missile launchers. It is faced by a really cool control panel albeit with non-operating controls. My sample is missing two of the missiles and one of the launchers, and the other two launchers will not maintain an upright position. Still, it's a pretty cool toy and I'll have to be on the lookout for replacement pieces this year. The whole thing measures: 9.75" (24.76cm) W x 6" (15.24cm) D x 5" (12.7cm) H (to top of railings). Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed

Deluxe Reading Missile Defense Base Clone in HO-ish Scale - Pt 4 (Final) Figures and Set-up

This series of small missile base toys was included in a purchase of Tri-ang's Spacex Earth Launch Pad Set #1176-20 (which will be the subject of our next series). They are not Tri-ang, but rather extras the seller included with the sale - Yay! With them came three 35mm figures which is definitely larger than HO scale (which would be 25mm/1"). However, the launch pad, missile battery, and truck do look a bit better with smaller figures. Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed

Here's the set of figures included in the original. full-size Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A. set. I believe these were 54mm, but verification is needed.

(Culled from  eBay)

Here's the set the clones were included with (but are not original to), as well as a few photos of everything set-up

Deluxe Reading Missile Defense Base Clone in HO-ish Scale - Pt 3 The Missile Launch Pad and Control Center

To the best of my knowledge, there were three different variations of this toy made by three different manufacturers. BUT, before we go there, after a bit of digging (it didn't take long actually), it appears the Deluxe Reading set my down-sized version was based on is more correctly named "Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A." as you can see by the box photo below. If I'm not mistaken, Deluxe Reading toys were available in the UK under the 'Topper' brand and perhaps Topper named their set differently.

(Culled from fleaBay)

-We have the large original Deluxe Reading version,

-Then there's the 'medium' sized clone which is the subject of today's post. 

-Lastly there was an even smaller version by Imperial Toys as part of their Apollo Moon Exploring series

Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed

Deluxe Reading Rocket Base U.S.A.

The missile launch racks are elaborate affairs that can hurl large projectiles into the neighbors' yard!

(Culled from fleaBay)

Imperial Toys Apollo Moon Exploring No. 304F Radar Array

This is only slightly smaller than the one being featured today and there are radar dishes vs. missiles on top, but you can clearly see the design lineage.

This measures: 4" (10.16cm) W x 1.125" (2.85cm) D x 1.375" (3.49cm) H

My missile battery measures: 5" (12.7cm) W x 1.25" (3.17cm) D x 2.5" (6.35cm) H. 

Today's toy features a battery of three missiles. The launch racks on my sample are all broken in some way so the missiles are posed standing next to them.

Deluxe Reading Missile Defense Base Clone in HO-ish Scale - Pt 2 The Launch Pad

Meant to accommodate any one of the three rockets which originally came with the set, there was a spring launch mechanism to shoot them into space.  There's plenty of space on the walkways to pose the figures on and fragile railings to prevent them from falling to the ground below. My sample is a bit rough with several of the railings being broken. The Launch Pad measures: 5" (12.70cm) W x 1.25" (3.17cm) D x 2.75" (6.98cm) H. Be Blessed and Relish Life! Ed