How to make a monster (Takara display) -one idea, any way

[Richard]

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~


deflated at rest and fully inflated for viewing


close ups


I hope you enjoyed seeing my project.

[darkmonkeygod]

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?

[Mike Scott]

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?

[Unknown Primate]

Pure genius!

[ilikemonsters]

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

[Monster Bob]

That's crazy! I love it.

[robodog]

That's awesome! A Very creative way to display them.

[Dr.Terror]

Neat idea, and executed very well.     Those inflatables are breathtaking.

[poseablemonster]

Wow, Richard.  Just amazing! 

[Mike Scott]

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. 

[jimm]

Dang Richard very nice, we need collection pics

[Toy Ranch]

That is COOL!!!  Excellent!!!

[Richard]

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.

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. 

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.


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.

[Richard]

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).

[Richard]

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