At-a-glance information:

The Operation X500 is one of the most collectable non-Marx playsets made. This was from Deluxe Reading, which later became Topper.

In the spirit of the Playmobile Car Dashboard and the Jimmy Jet, these were often sold in supermarkets and drug stores. In fact, the plastic and plating used look very much like the Jimmy Jet and Playmobile designs.

The X500 is a totally complete playset that consists of two main independent parts, the Base Defense Center and the Rocket Launching Platform. These are wildly designed to say the least. Pictures do not do this set justice. And, with the exception of some key areas that I will point out, it is mostly made of that wonderful type of plastic that, for the most part, is very durable and looks great.

The key about this toy is that it has a ton of parts. I was told by the individual which I purchased this from that only the space monkey and dog were not there. I will include with this a complete inventory of my set, and I would love to hear from others who have this set how it may compare to theirs. I would also love a picture of the space dog and monkey for inclusion in this profile. (See below, we have them now!)

The Base Defense Unit

Here is a picture that I will probably reshoot sometime, but I have it here for now. Please keep in mind that the missile station is behind the unit and not part of it, it is very distracting in this shot.

The Base Unit is 20.5" by 11.5" deep, it is good sized as you can tell.

It is actually HEAVILY armed with missiles, which are spring loaded into a series of four, manually revolving firing stations. Triggers are metal tabs located on the back of the stations, one for each missile.

It is hard to tell from this picture, but the front right and left rear stations fire a single rocket, the other two fire double. Also, the rockets on the single stations are different in design then the double stations, and they are not interchangeable.

Here is more details:

1) These pull down slide switches are spring loaded...when you release them they ring a bell in back of the panel.

2) This is a single launch station with rocket loaded.

3) Both the reflecting light (searchlight) and the radar screen on the other side are non-operational.

5) These throw switches don't do anything, but they are marked "Fired" and "Ready", and correspond numerically to the missiles above. Oddly, every one of my switches is missing a piece in back on its hinge, but they still hang ok, just not perfect in their movements. Some of the switches on this piece are of a softer plastic that has not aged as well.

6) This amber light on the left and green light on the right illuminate at the push of the button located below each. Each independently run on a AA battery. Both my battery holdowns were weak behind the panel, so I wirestrapped the batteries in place. Also one was highly corroded, so it was "Kevinized" and cleaned to functionality. Note: I have seen some of these units with the lights in the reversed positions.

This rocket is ready to fly!

I am not sure of the formal name for this unit, as I do not have the instruction sheet. Any dear reader that knows this, let me know. Also, I will pay $ for an instruction sheet!!!

Here is the station, in the dusty shape it was when I got it, and followed by the cleaned up/renovated version.

1) This is the rocket, with one of the astronauts in the nose cone.

2) This is the spring whereupon the rocket is placed and forced downward, and twisted to lock.

3) The Gantry...this entire assembly slides on the base to load the rocket cone, then to 'move back" for launch.

4) The crane with manual crank can remove a nose cone from the train (7), raise and then swivel, placing the cone atop the rocket.

5) Here is the see-through elevator for the astronaut to ride up in.

6) The observation/control center.

7) The train with hold-downs for three nose cones.

More details:

	Here is the base upon which the rocket is placed. The metal ring locks into place and releases the rocket upon pushing the switch. Rocket flies a good 12 feet!
	Here is a close up of the train/platform.
	Here is the transparent elevator tube that an astronaut can ride up and down in! It is hand operated by a crank at the top. Note the X500 script.
	Astronaut or army figure fits into elevator.
	Here shows the difference in the rockets. The upper one goes in the single missle firing stations, the lower in the dual. Also of note, the upper rocket is the same that is found with the Jimmy Jet console, in either red or black tipped versions. These really do fly great for a few feet!
	Here is one additional shot of the side of the Base Defense Center. Notice how wonderfully shiny and bright I got this with a thorough cleansing!

Update, July 2005

Finally, got some updated information.

There were some additional items from this set. A dog, a monkey, and a camera. Here is also a picture of the instruction sheet.

Thanks to Paul Ehret for the pictures!