Doctor Who: The Wheel in Space (1968) - A Gallery

We've been here before of course but that was before I was pointed in the direction of episode 6, one of the two surviving episodes of this second Doctor and the Cybermen, six part story from 1968.  And the reason to explore episode 6 in greater detail is that, as you will see, it reveals that the BBC actual used three Windak suits and not just two as originally blogged.  It is my belief that these were the same suits as featured the film; First Men in the Moon in 1964, and again in Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet, the first Doctor's last story and the Cyberman's first, in 1966.  I would make a fairly safe bet that between their appearance here in The  Wheel in Space and then guesting in Star Wars IV in 1977, they did feature in other sci-fi shows and films as well.  As of yet I've no idea what that might be but if anyone has caught a glimpse in an episode of Out of the Unknown or Doom Watch, etc, I would love to hear about it. Until then enjoy the images.

Thanks to Philip Ayres for telling me where to find these.  You are a star, sir.


Steve

Something for the Weekend #17

Martha Hayer in a publicity still for First Men in the Moon (1964)


Steve

Moon Gallery

A little gallery of random goodness.  There are dozens of shows and films I could have picked but these are just a few of my favourites.  Everything's been previously blogged so go and explore by clicking the labels below.

2001: A Space Odyssey

 

 Destination Moon

 First Men in the Moon

 Moon Zero 2

 Moonbase 3

 The Mouse on the Moon

 

 Space 1999

UFO

Steve

Something for the Weekend 7

It's been a while since I've done a; Something for the Weekend post but this makes the wait worth while I think.

This is Martha Hyer in a publicity still for the 1964 film version of First Men In the Moon.  A lovely bit of ephemera this and brought to you just a soon as I discovered it.  There are a few other similar pictures out there of the scantily dressed starlet but I can only really justify showing this one on the grounds of the equally sexy spacesuit.

Hey Love, show us your Windak


Steve

First Men in the Moon (1964)

We’ve already looked at this film once before way back in December 2010 when this blog was less than a month old.  Back then we had a quick look at these;

Which, as you should all know by now, are the real world high altitude Windak pressure suits.  Lovely aren’t they.

But what we’re going to look at now though are these;

Though First Men in the Moon starts and ends in the modern day of 1964, the bulk of the film is told in flashback to the 1890’s.

And that’s why Professor Cavor and Bedford’s spacesuits are based upon the deep-sea diving suit of the time even if they do seem to be serviced with oxygen from an anachronistic 1960’s style aqualung.

And also, it seems that the gentlemen of the British Empire were a sturdy bunch too who’s gloveless hands were impervious to the airless cold of the moon.

Oh and while we’re here on the lunar surface, let’s have a quick look at these.

This is what the 60’s astronauts were wearing inside their spaceship before they climbed into their Windaks to go explore the moon.

Rumour has it these are the same suits and helmets that are seen in the Department S episode The Man from X.

What do you think?


Steve

The First Men in the Moon (1964)

Windak Goes to the Moon

The First Men in the Moon (1964) was adapted from H G Wells’ book by Quatermass creator and noted television scriptwriter, Nigel Kneale.  The film features two types of space suit.  The Victorian conceit of a Deep-Sea Diver’s suit with 60’s aqualung cylinder and then there's this one; the far more modern (for the time) Windak High-Altitude pressure suits which having been retired from active service with the R.A.F. were seen here embarking on the start of a long and successful career in film and television.

Note the two different colours which, while being interesting in its self, will also assist us in tracking which particular suit makes it into the sci-fi hall of fame.

Steve