Space Commanders (1983-85)

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The Space Commanders first appeared in Lone Star’s 1983/84 trade catalogue where they also featured prominently on the front cover. The four Space Commanders were all based on the same 6-wheel vehicle each fitted with a different ‘space implement’. The models came in different metallic paint finishes with contrasting red or yellow plastic trim. The glazing was either yellow or green.

By the time the Space Commanders appeared Lone Star were struggling so a new range based on a completely new casting was significant and probably explains their prestigious front cover appearance. Indeed, 3 other ‘new’ toy vehicle ranges also appeared in the 1983/84 trade catalogue (Super Freighters, Zippy Zoomers and Soccer Champs) but all these were simply existing castings finished in new colour schemes.

Even the brand-new Space Commanders weren’t entirely new models as they featured some typical Lone Star recycling with the dubious ‘space themed’ implements. These made use of existing castings which had first appeared on Lone Star’s ‘Modern Army Series’ lorries back in the 1950s! These implements (a rocket launcher, gun, radar and searchlight) were also used by Lone Star in the ‘UN Peace Keepers’ and ‘Army Strike Force’ ranges before being called on for a new roll in outer-space! New space themed model names were required for these aging implements, so, for example, the military Pom-Pom gun became a ‘Laser Disintegrator’ whilst the radar dish was now a ‘Galactic Scanner!’

The range survived Lone Star going into receivership in 1983 and appeared again in the 1984/85 and 1985 trade catalogues with Lone Star now under the control of Germany based ‘Wicke GmbH’. Today the Space Commanders are relatively easy to find and as such prices are low. With the different coloured plastic components and glazing there are potentially several variations.

A final tail regards the purchase of my first Space Commander back in the early 1990s when, as a young teenager, my Lone Star collection was still in its infancy. I had started buying models from collectors toy fairs but if you were lucky it was still possible to find the odd Lone Star item lingering in a toy shop. These were pre-internet days so I had no idea of the existence of Lone Star’s Space Commanders until a chance discovery whilst on holiday in the seaside resort of Scarborough.

‘Sulman’s’ was once a thriving family business operating six ‘gift and toy’ shops across Scarborough. By the time of my visit in September 1990 only three stores remained the largest being in a prime location on Scarborough’s busy seafront. All three stores contained some remnants of Lone Star’s final ranges which were mainly toy guns and related accessories.

Whilst outside Sulman’s seafront shop I noticed in the window display a strange space vehicle fitted with a Pom-Pom gun which resembled the one on my ‘Modern Army Series’ lorry. I enquired inside and was pleasantly surprised to find ‘Lone Star’ on the underside of this unusual toy. I proceeded to make my purchase (£1.49) and was even more delighted when the assistant opened a large draw from under the shelving and produced the box for my model. Sadly there were no further Space Commanders to be found in their other stores  although on the same holiday I did buy some of their remaining Lone Star ‘Super Freighter’ lorries. At £4.99 each I remember these wiping out my holiday spending money and I was slightly reluctant to buy what were basic, unrealistic lorries when better models were available from Far-East manufacturers and at half the price!

Of course this scenario is largely what killed off Lone Star (and most of the British toy manufacturing industry) in the early 1980s. Sadly, Sulman’s, like many of the other traditional family run seaside gift shops, is also no more with the final shop closing when the Sulman’s retired in 2016.