Century 21 Executive Reg Hill) and Sky 1 from "UFO". If you're an Anderson fan then your 35p admission is worth it to see these alone ! On we go to view the puppet-sized version of Lady Penelope's superb futuristic Rolls Royce - Fav 1. This is flanked by two similarly-scaled creations - the Future Car and Boat from the pilot fil "The Investigator". The note card says 'for future productions' - which is quite interesting to say the least when you know the actual origins of the vehicles in the unseen film from 1973. A 'keep-the-kiddies-amused' feature follows with a booth designed so that you can see yourself in a ComLock (from "1999"). Technical problems have plagued this device from the outset, as they have also plagued two film-loop projectors which continually show brief (very brief) clip films from "Space: 1999" and "Thunderbirds". The next tableau is literally 'out of this world'. The largest display is given to all the winderful vehicles and spaceships designed for the "1999" series. Throw away your paltry Airfix 'Eagle', little brother, there's one here over FIVE FEET long ! The Moon slowly turns in the background as we gaze at the marvellous detail worked into each and every craft. It is     interesting to note that one or two of the models appear in different sizes, large and small, a device used to create perspective on the screen. The craft extendout from the tableau suspended from the celing leading to another planetoid scenario, this time devoted to the new Gerry Anderson creation - the 'StarCruiser'. A long display shows the Cruiser on an alien surface with drawings on the back panel showing the various stages of the craft. A beautiful model built by Martin Bower highlights the 'StarCruiser' itself - which is about 2.5 times the size of the Airfix version. What are the Cruiser's origins ? Rather un- dramatically it appears that it was created as a design project for the likes of the Dinky Toy Company. (If you look carefully at the large model you can see a trigger on the side that would have been pressed to release 'shells' from out of the front - much in the same way as Dinky's 'USS Enterprise' model). The option on actual production, however, was taken up by Airfix. If you remember the "Day After Tomorrow" show which was screened in Britain as "Into Infinity" then you'll also recall the magnificent space station that was featured. It's on show here, complete, as we move towards the end of the exhibition. Initially, when the show first opened, the model stood by itself in a corner, but now it is half-hidden behind a cockpit-type screen that is supposed to give the sensation of you coming up to 'dock' with it by some shuttle craft. Joe Branley pointed out that they have tried to get a little more 'action' and customer-involvement in the show as it has evolved, and this is another example of this policy. We're coming towards the end. A wall is devoted to the winning entries received from the readers of 'Look-In' magazine when they were invited to 'Design-An-Alien'. We go past original 'Look-In' "Space: 1999" artwork by John Burns and Michael Noble, plus more stills from the various series, and then it's out into the harsh world of money-grabbing Blackpool and the indoor FunFair. Sad to say a small kiosk selling souvenirs, badges and books has disappeared through financial strigencies, but Branley still manages to sell one or two badges in a sweet stall on the ground floor. How does the "Space City" stand up to inspection, then ? Certainly it is a very polished and effective display and it is a shame, perhaps, that the emphasis is very much towards "1999", but then this is only natural. Mr. Branley took pain to say that 'Supermarionation' memorabilia were still scattered far and wide, and I suppose they have done well to get so much together under one roof. There is no doubt, however, that whether you're a Gerry Anderson fan or not, that the "Space City" has got to be the best 35ps-worth in Blackpool. Have a look for yourself some time !

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