The set of Takara inflatable monsters have always been a problem in display. If they are still mint in bag, no problem. But loose, they need to be seen fully inflated for the best viewing in a monster room. Trouble is, they are fragile and (as all inflatable toys) will slowly deflate in time. I've considered (with help of friends/collectors) a few ideas~
1. Lay them flat, neatly folded making sure the head/face shows. That can work for 3 of them but not so well for Frankenstein.
2. Foam fill them. Perhaps, but only one chance to get this right ~and~ destroys the toys original function forever. Can't reverse the process.
3. Fill them and seal with some other material that can be removed. What? And will it damage the vinyl?
I decided on keeping them as original as possible. I needed a way to connect an air supply to the molded inlet on each monster so I could inflate them all at once. I found that small green aquarium air tube plastic joiners fit the Takara inlet nipples perfectly~snug but with no stretching, distortion, or damage to the vinyl. To each monster, I connected a length of soft aquarium tubing. At a surplus store, I found a small air pump that had regulated pressure but was quite noisy. I made some connections to the pump and hooked up an in-line air gauge to the pump (my fear was that the pump could quickly over-inflate the monsters and permanently damage them!) To display them in my monster room, I made a board (with very smooth wood pegs) that could be slightly angled on a shelf (just enough) to allow the monsters to gently hang when in an "at rest" state.
I was all set to complete the project when an idea hit me. In storage, I had a used Select Comfort air bed pump. I had replaced our Sleep Number Select Comfort bed a few years ago (long story, but the bed itself sustained damage). The old pump was fine though. Knowing how quiet it was and how slowly and gently it inflated the bed, I wondered if this pump would work for the Takara monsters? After a number of careful tests~ the Select Comfort pump was perfect. The pump has a wireless remote control. I tap the button up to around 40 and all four monsters gently inflate (quietly) to their full size for monster-fun viewing. I have a "bleed" so the monsters slowly deflate to a resting state after a short time.
Start of project~
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/Takarapreparation.jpg)
deflated at rest and fully inflated for viewing
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/TakaraMonstersdisplayed.jpg)
close ups
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/TakaraMonsterinflatables.jpg)
I hope you enjoyed seeing my project.
Quote from: Richard on September 01, 2012, 12:12:10 AM
I hope you enjoyed seeing my project.
More than I can tell you! I really, really, really dig these Takara toys, and while I have none I've thought a lot about display. It fills me with joy that you went to this effort, and that's not just compressed air! As always, thanks for sharing the great stuff. It's great how they all look as if they've been on quite the bender when deflated an resting on the pegs.
On a different note, are those two different versions on the square APC Wolfman puzzle above them?
Great display, Richard! Definitely worth the trouble for that amazing Takara collection!
Luckily, the couple inflatables I have (which aren't nearly as cool as Takaras) display just fine flat.
Haven't seen you around much! Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places?
Pure genius!
Amazing display.
OMG I'm in love with those inflatables.
Never seen them before.
What size are they?
Do they have manuf. markings on them?
Tell me more!
Eric
That's crazy! I love it.
That's awesome! A Very creative way to display them.
Neat idea, and executed very well. Those inflatables are breathtaking.
Wow, Richard. Just amazing!
Now you need to make a device that will suck out a little bit of air and then blow it back in (repeat, repeat, etc.) so it looks like they're breathing. ;D
Dang Richard very nice, we need collection pics
That is COOL!!! Excellent!!!
Quote from: darkmonkeygod on September 01, 2012, 12:27:03 AM
More than I can tell you! I really, really, really dig these Takara toys, and while I have none I've thought a lot about display. It fills me with joy that you went to this effort, and that's not just compressed air! As always, thanks for sharing the great stuff. It's great how they all look as if they've been on quite the bender when deflated an resting on the pegs.
On a different note, are those two different versions on the square APC Wolfman puzzle above them?
Thank you, Shannon!
As to the APC Wolf puzzles~ no, just two of the same.
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 01, 2012, 06:28:01 PM
Now you need to make a device that will suck out a little bit of air and then blow it back in (repeat, repeat, etc.) so it looks like they're breathing. ;D
LOL~ they sort of do that now (as the pump is working) because of the air bleed. I thought,
if I filmed some video and
if I knew how Youtube posting works, people could see the monsters "come to life". Unfortunately, two big "ifs".
As a final pic, here is the Select Comfort wireless control for the pump. I printed up some adhesive stickers to decorate it a bit.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/Takaracontrol.jpg)
As the pump has a right and left outlet for inflation, I only use the right and save the left for a reserve. Both work the same and not at the same time anyway. So I only need to use one outlet.
Quote from: ilikemonsters on September 01, 2012, 02:04:14 AM
Amazing display.
OMG I'm in love with those inflatables.
Never seen them before.
What size are they?
Do they have manuf. markings on them?
Tell me more!
Eric
Eric, they are about 2 feet high and from the golden era of monster toys. Takara marking around the air nipples. They came bagged with header cards originally. I've seen the header card posted but just don't remember it. The Wolf Man seen here was the 1st one I got. It was pre-inflated, hanging from a stick in a "barrel" of these inflatables in front of a main street merchant in downtown Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. I suppose the merchant thought they would sell better if he had a few of them blown up and ready to go. He was right, at least with me :) I played with it in the pool later that evening at the motel we were staying at (battled my brother Randy's Frankenstein inflatable for monster supremacy).
Quote from: jimm on September 01, 2012, 08:23:54 PM
Dang Richard very nice, we need collection pics
I would do more if I were satisfied with the pictures I take. The following pictures are taken with a Canon EOS Rebel XSi (which is supposed to take nice pictures but I've never found that to be true. Auto focus always seem blurry. Film is still better in my experience). I think my IPhone camera is just as good as the Canon results. I'm
not happy with the quality of these pictures, but because you asked, I'll post these~
I don't have a mega-collection but tend to enjoy 60s monster toys best as it
is my era. There are other decades here, of course, but mostly 60s. It's no where near complete, mint, nor breathtaking~ but much of it represents what I remember treasuring as a monster kid. At my stage of life, I'm satisfied with this little stash. :)
I hope others find enjoyment in viewing as someday, like everything, it will be gone
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/room1.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/room2.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/room3.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/room4.jpg)
I love how you refer to this PHENOMENAL collection as your "little stash". You are a most humble Monster Kid, Richard. Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!
VERY clean display, I think you are too modest, great collection!
Absolutely stunning collection Richard! And thanks for the great tutorial on how to inflate blowup dolls when needed. I've got a few blowup dolls myself that I have close by for whenever the mood strikes. Oh, they're not monsters .. >:D
Quote from: Richard on September 02, 2012, 10:28:35 AM
I thought, if I filmed some video and if I knew how Youtube posting works, people could see the monsters "come to life".
That would be cooool! (You know,
if.)
Quote from: Richard on September 02, 2012, 10:28:35 AM
As a final pic, here is the Select Comfort wireless control for the pump. I printed up some adhesive stickers to decorate it a bit.
Awesome and I neet to find some of those (stickers)! Gotta be
something cool I can do with stickers?
Quote from: Richard on September 02, 2012, 10:38:25 AM
I've seen the header card posted but just don't remember it.
(http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/MGalleryItem.php?id=1489)
Quote from: Richard on September 02, 2012, 11:00:08 AM
I don't have a mega-collection . . .
. . . nor breathtaking . . .
. . . this little stash.
You crack me up, Richard! :laugh:
Quote from: fmofmpls on September 02, 2012, 12:09:35 PM
Absolutely stunning collection Richard! And thanks for the great tutorial on how to inflate blowup dolls when needed. I've got a few blowup dolls myself that I have close by for whenever the mood strikes. Oh, they're not monsters .. >:D
We know, we know. Especially when your girlfriend, aka "The G.I.L.F." is not available.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/creepyjeepy/uma091208013.jpg)
Jeff, how much do you want for that photo? Name your price.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Richard, your collection IS staggering!! Just beautiful, in content as well as display. I mat request that my ashes be scattered (no pun intended) under the floorboards of that room.
Sadly, the sheer joy of beholding Richard's collection was contrasted with the sheer horror of our faithful General in mid convulsion.
Quote from: Scatter on September 02, 2012, 05:41:52 PM
Sadly, the sheer joy of beholding Richard's collection was contrasted with the sheer horror of our faithful General in mid convulsion.
Yeah, Jeff sure knows how to kill a thread. ;D
Richard--
What a beautiful collection!
It is gorgeous. Hardly a little stash, by any measure.
True. Like everything, one day it will be gone.
We monsters kids do tend to get a little maudlin about our collections at times, don't we? I have noticed that is something relatively unique to us as a group. I have known many comic collectors and fine art collectors... they never seem to have this same sense of melancholy that we have. I don't know if there is anything to be learned from that. It is just an observation.
Beast witches,
Matt
He who binds himself to a joy, doth the winged life destroy. He who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise
--William Blake
Richard- I agree with everyone's comments....I just couldn't breathe for a couple of minutes while looking around your glorious room!
Everything is fantastic and you are quite an inventor!
Quote from: CreepyJeff on September 02, 2012, 02:56:19 PM
We know, we know. Especially when your girlfriend, aka "The G.I.L.F." is not available.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f161/creepyjeepy/uma091208013.jpg)
Shucks Folks, I'm speechless !
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/CowardlyLion.jpg)
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 02, 2012, 12:51:43 PM
(http://www.universalmonsterarmy.com/forum/MGalleryItem.php?id=1489)
Thanks, Mike!
Thank you, Friends, for ALL the kind words! :) I really enjoy sharing with you :) :) :)
Here is a picture of items that didn't appear in the other pictures as these items are in the "library" (room connected to the room in my previous 4 pics).
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/IMG_7494.jpg)
The rooms can get damp so I run a dehumidifier when needed. I made a control panel on the wall to monitor changing conditions and here it is (I see the humidity was high when I took the pic. Dehumidifier to the rescue).
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/IMG_7842.jpg)
Great collection!!! So much cool stuff, I love the Elvira mannequin and the Shock theater on the TV, and the carded Palmer's, and all the Jaymar puzzles, and the Enlarg-A Graph, and the stickers, and the two Marx tin Frankensteins and the slide puzzle and the Takara's and...
I have some none-monster Takara stuff from the '70's like Microman and Henshin Cyborg, but none of those great inflatable monsters, those are fantastic!
Thanks for posting the photo's.
I like mirrors behind stuff. That way you can see both sides at once. :)
I like how you have a second glass with back showing on the vintage ones. Where and when did they offer the newer Monster glasses above them? Do you have the forever collectibles bobbleheads?
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg232/mnroo/IMG_7494.jpg)
Quote from: jimm on September 03, 2012, 11:32:16 AM
Where and when did they offer the newer Monster glasses above them?
1980 (or '80s?).
A mirror works but 2 of each is mo' better!
Quote from: jimm on September 03, 2012, 11:38:03 AM
A mirror works but 2 of each is mo' better!
Yeh, you're right! :laugh:
Quote from: Mike Scott on September 03, 2012, 11:36:10 AM
1980 (or '80s?).
Yes, early 80s, I believe.
These were at Spencer Gifts (in Duluth, anyway)
In this series, a "Mummy" glass has been mentioned as a 6th character. I've never seen one and don't think it exists. These 5 were the only 5 characters on the table at Spencers
Jimm, not sure about "forever collectable bobbleheads" :-\
Picture, please ?
Those were released in 2005, but I never saw them in stores (and I looked). They had actor-accurate likenesses and cool movie-reel bases.
Here's a pic
(http://home.comcast.net/~cougrr/monsters.JPG)
Okay, Jimm, thanks !
Yes, I recognize these and I think I may have them. Much of my 90s to present items are packed away in storage. I have no room to display any more items at this time. That will change if I can finish up another room but that's on the backburner for now.
These are familiar