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CAPTAIN VIDEO Scrapbook, Part I--- |
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In the early days of Al Hodge's tenure as Captain Video, he and the Ranger tackled space in an unseen space ship called (at first) the X-9, and (later) the X-10. This ship lacked a cockpit, to say the least. Captain Video and the Ranger sat on metal stools near a simple console on the wall, and fingered a few controls to pilot the X-vehicles through interplanetary and interstellar space. The main difference between X-9 and X-10 was that the X-10 had some bunk beds built into the bulkhead to serve as acceleration couches... perhaps inspired by the acceleration couches seen in DESTINATION MOON (1950). Here are a few ultra-rare photos that recall those days to me... the DuMont network, 1950-51, with that "master of space, hero of science," CAAAPPPTTAAAINNN VIIIDDDEEEEEOOOOOOO! |
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The only controls that the X-9 and X-10 had. Captain Video and the Ranger generally stood to reach them... which was easy, with no seats. |
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Another view of the X-9/X-10 controls with Video and the Ranger alert. Notice the rain galoshes they wear instead of boots, fitted boots being far outside the DuMont costume budget. |
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I don't remember what happened if Video and the Ranger had to do some violent space maneuvers, as they not only have no seat belts, but also no seats! Perhaps they braced against the cardboard ladder seen at left in most of the shots. This shot also gives a good look at the space suits and helmets used circa 1951. (When ready to see the next page, click on this photo.) |
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In any event the weapons lockers of the X-9 and X-10 carried this fearsome atomic rifle, which goes back to the middle of the first season of space adventures, before Al Hodge took over. Simply made, it was probably the program's most impressive prop.Can you identify the separate pieces used to construct it? [Click on the photo to be taken to a site with hard-to-find and accurate information on this legendary 1949-1955 live space adventure.] |
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Yet another view of the X-9/X-10 controls, with The Video Ranger manning the periscope--- there being no portholes, viewports or windows in the X-9/X-10, Captain Video anxiously awaits the sharp-eyed Video Ranger's report! |
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Here, finally we have located a shot of the X9/X10 "bunk beds" or acceleration couches. Perhaps to be different from DESTINATION MOON, this 1952 shot shows Captain Video and The Ranger blasting off in a face-down rather than face-up position, what pilots call "eyeballs out" rather than the usual "eyeballs in," and certainly not recommended for high accelerations! |
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The "space suits" in use in 1950 consisted of nothing more than Army-surplus rain ponchos and cannister gas masks. (Yet another very rare image.) |
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Another rare shot of the final (1953) version of the Captain Video space suit and helmet. These thin plastic toy helmets, just like the ones us kids could purchase for about a dollar, were a bit small on CV and the Ranger, and while they couldn't fall off, the visor had a tendency to flap open at the worst possible moment. |
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