ALL SCI-FI

[Gord Green]

''The science fiction adventure series, Space Patrol, was a television phenomenon that ran from March 1950 to February 1955. It began as a local daily 15-minute live TV show aimed at children on KECA — an ABC network affiliate in Los Angeles. In December of 1950, ABC picked up the show for its Saturday lineup and made television history by being the first network to broadcast a live program coast-to-coast. The 30-minute Saturday Space Patrol series became so popular with both children and adults that the 15-minute daily was shown in other cities via kinescoped film prints. ''



''A weekly radio program was added to the franchise as well as a comic book series. A cottage industry grew with all kinds of Space Patrol merchandise — a 1952 LIFE article estimated sales of $40 million on 80 items, ranging from space helmets to ray guns, viewscopes, spacephones, puzzles and clothes.''

To this day one of the most talked about memories of the show is the "contest to end all contests". The challenge — "NAME THAT PLANET."

''This contest asked viewers to submit a name for the gigantic Planet X — kingdom of the evil Price Baccarrati — that figured in the series' storyline during the summer of 1953. ''

''The grand prize was [a] forty-foot long rocket clubhouse replica of Commander Buzz Corry's battlecruiser, the Terra IV (and a semi-truck to pull it!) plus an thousand additional bicycles and Space Patrol toys.''

''The rocket clubhouse was one of the two "rolling" Ralston Rockets which toured the country as an attraction at public events and gatherings promoting Ralston products and the show — the company was one of Space Patrol's leading sponsors.''



I visited the Ralston Rocket when it came through a grocery store -shopping center (we didn't have malls then, only "plazas" or strip stores anchored by a supermarket.) in Buffalo, New York sometime in the early 1950s — before 1954,when it was given away.

One Saturday morning my father told me he had a surprise for me.

I had been talking about the rocket for weeks, eating my Ralston cereal and saving box tops! After a short drive we pulled into the parking lot — and BEHOLD!



There in it's shiny aluminum grandeur was The Rocket! The TERRA 4, flagship of Buzz Corry and the SPACE PATROL!



''Two big impressions I have is that there was a case with a glass top containing two or more ray guns and a closet where one or two space suits were hanging.
Some guy in Space Patrol garb was sitting in one of the cockpit seats when my father and I toured through.

The rocket I saw in the grocery store parking lot had, the best I can recall after all these years, the following features: ''



1. A (metal, I think) control panel with all aircraft type instruments and an aircraft type twin wheel control yoke.

2. The big bulbous front ports were streamlined. I would bet that they were waist windows taken from a PBY Catalina flying boat, as they had the same kind of observation grid lines etched in them and were about the right shape. At least that's what I thought at the time.

3. There was a map of Terra City under a clear plastic cover, with little moving cars, etc. I don't now remember now if it was a "built in", but it was a proffessional prop---Much nicer than my own Marx Co. SPACE PATROL playset.

4. Built into the cabin sides, between the smaller ports, were inlet shadow boxy kind of things with fantastically shaped neon tubes in various colors.

5. The rocket tubes were not visible from inside; the cabin ended with an access panel. The large central rocket tube had a speaker in it which emitted a recorded roaring "rocket" noise.

6. I am less certain about this, but seems to me that the rocket I saw was mounted on a standard or only slightly modified flatbed trailer, rather than having custom underpinnings . (Actualy, the rocket would often be unhitched from the truck when on view.)




The first prize was won by some kid in Illinois.

''Ten year-old Ricky Walker of Washington, Illinois submitted the winning name — Cesaria — and took receipt of the fabulous first prize on January 14, 1954.''

''For a short time, Ricky Walker was the most envied kid in the U.S. — it was a huge day in Washington, Illinois when the rocket arrived:''





''Eventually the novelty wore off and Ricky's parents sold the rocket playhouse to a traveling carnival for the sum of $1000. The Ralston Rocket faded into obscurity but lived on in the memories of the viewers as one of the most — if not THE most — amazing prizes in television history.''

Sadly, the end of the road for the rocket was far less glamorous. In 1985 it was discovered on the property of a small construction company in Gent, New York.

No longer the glistening star of 1954, the Ralston Rocket Clubhouse was now rusted and neglected. The construction company had it unceremoniously destroyed and sold for scrap.



To this day I still envy that Ricky Walker!



NOTE: Text in quotes adapted from various sources.

[Gord Green]

A great video about the contest can be seen on Youtube :

HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bDvjAZ7px0

AND HERE :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBwWzmTlEG4

[Bud Brewster]

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Gord, that has to be one of the best post on All Sci-Fi, which is one of the best science fiction boards on the internet . . . which makes your posts one of the best ones on the web!

You did a great job of telling a fascinating story, complete with personal anecdotes and the full back story for the TV show and the contest it inspired.

You made me aware of the Ralston Rocket on your [i]Zombies of the Stratosphere[/]] post, and it inspired me to go looking for a good jpeg of the marvelous contest prized.

The jpeg I found was actually the one you posted above . . . but I didn't care much for the wacky colors, especially that purple parking lot! So, I worked on the picture for an hour or so and produced this.





So, here's my small contribution to your wonderful post — a color-adjusted version of the image you posted, with a gray parking lot and a bluer sky.

P.S. The picture of the grinning, space-helmet-wearing Ricky Walker is wonderful. He's the ultimate sci-fi lovin' American kid!
_________________
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Gord Green]

"The Rocket" has been an obsession with me since the first day I saw it! I was also obsessed by the show and all the premiums and toys related to it. I also loved the TOM CORBETT and ROCKY JONES shows.

One thing I did-----that not even my parents knew about---when I was 5 years old.

I had TOM CORBETT pajamas along with my "you see out, no one sees in" space helmet and the Remco ray gun.








One dark night I got up around 5 AM. donned my space apparel and snuck out of the house. I wasn't allowed to cross the street, so I patroled my block. Sneaking in and out of backyards I dilegently explored looking for evil aliens.

Never found any....But I searched anyway.

I know I really looked like this:



BUT in my imagination I felt that I really was this:



I miss the innocence of youth. I just hope kids today can recapture the sense of wonder I felt then!

[Gord Green]

An update on the fate of THE RALSTON ROCKET from Mack Rhea - Space Forum Jan 28, 1998

[scotpens]

[Gord Green]

That's the top turret.

Look again for the "WAIST" gunner's window----That is the SIDE window.



A closer look :



I think you'll see the teardrop shape was VERY similar to the front viewports of the RALSTON ROCKET, although reversed to have the "point" in the front.





The perspex dome was one piece with the frame as a supporting enhancement.

Of course, some adaptation was necessary....But there is a resemblance.

At least to my 5 year old eye.

[Bud Brewster]

[Gord Green]

Rocky Jones SILVER MOON-ORBIT JET rocket models.





Both the TV and the Silvercup version.

[Bud Brewster]

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That first post about the Kraft simulator was great, Gord! However, I really wish you had just added it here, to what has now become our amazing "1950s touring rockets" discussion!

Please consider posting it here and deleting your other one. This is one very happy thread, Captain Gordon, and it needs that great contribution you made!

With that in mind, let's not forget the amazing Luer Meat Rocket! This thing is gorgeous!







All I've been able to find out about it is from sites like Just a Car Guy, which has this to say.

[Gord Green]

The personal stories are all real.

The trip with my father to see the RALSTON ROCKET, the sneaking out in full regalia, the choking down marshmallows...All real experiences. I only added random descriptions etc. from various sources (Which I added links to in the Rocky post)

Second point-

I have found a picture of the RALSTON ROCKET used to promote the movie THE ROCKETMAN.





The Rocket Man was released in 1954, so this may well be that mystery second rocket.

Here's another look at the SILVERCUP ROCKET model.



There also is evidence that the original touring RALSTON ROCKET eventualy fell into the hands of the Blakely Oil company (Who sold gas and oil in their stations in Arizona and the Southwest) The story goes that they refurbished the exterior and used it to promote their gas stations.

I could only find one picture of this "Blakely Rocket"-



It does indeed resemble the original RALSTON ROCKET. However it appears to have wings attached to the side and a diferent paint job. With the window arrangement it looks nothing like the Luer model.

So perhaps the search is not over.....Perhaps the original touring model of THE ROCKET still exists somewhere.

[Gord Green]

OK, there is much....and also very little information on the LUER MEAT ROCKET. There are a few exterior pictures, but I have found no pictures of the interior...only a discription of what it may have been.

From various sources...Here is some information. NOTE: I've never seen or ever had direct contact with the Luer Rocket...But like many of you I find the whole idea fascinating.



FROM http://weburbanist.com/2013/10/27/retro-rockets-9-outrageous-roadgoing-spaceships/

Retro Rockets: 9 Outrageous Roadgoing Spaceships

Article by Steve, filed under Vehicles & Mods in the Technology category.

[Gord Green]

Bud, perhaps it would be wise to gather all our posts on "Real Rockets of the Fabulous 50's" under one umbrella. If you can make it so.... Make it so.

[Bud Brewster]

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Great idea! So, by gum, I did it!
_________________
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Bud Brewster]

________________________________

I found third picture with a nice rear view of the Luer Meat Rocket —



— and an interesting personal anecdote on the site called Roadside Resorts which had the other pictures we've seen, this reply a gentleman named by John Arnold.