Sweater patch
Buck Rogers Solar Scouts was a fan club of the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century radio series. It was created in 1936 by then-sponsor Cream of Wheat. It was later adopted by Famous Funnies as Buck Rogers Rocket Rangers.
Membership[]
Membership was open to everyone, but marketed to adolescent boys. Those who took the pledge and mailed in ten cents and one proof of purchase of Cream of Wheat would receive a brass badge and a manual which contained pictures, a welcome letter from Buck Rogers, promises members would keep, instructions to have meetings three times per week when the show aired, and a catalog of equipment.
Space Ship Commander[]
Members could advance a rank to Space Ship Commander by recruiting three friends into the club, and mailing in their names and addresses, three more proofs of purchase, and a three-cent stamp. They would receive a Commander's badge with a secret whistle and a brochure for more equipment only commanders could order.
Chief Explorer[]
Space Ship Commanders could further advance to "the highest honor Buck Rogers can bestow. A Chief Explorer is the scientific head of a whole expedition. He is even more important than a Spaceship Commander." To acquire the item, one had to eat Cream of Wheat at least four mornings a week for three weeks to have the energy and endurance that Chief Explorers must have, enclose a Cream of Wheat green triangle, and enclose a three-cent stamp to cover the cost of mailing.
Equipment[]
A number of Buck Rogers-themed items were available through the club. At least some were also sold in stores, but were cheaper through the club if one mailed in Cream of Wheat box tops.
Repeller Ray Ring[]
The Repeller Ray Ring, later known as the Supreme Inner Circle Ring and the Ring of Saturn, depicts Buck in his rocketship with his arm raised holding a rocket pistol. At the center of the rocketship is a green faceted stone. Though the repeller ray function was omitted, the ring could be used as a seal for official club documents.
Girl's Pendant and Chain[]
Girls were invited to order the pendant with Wilma's likeness on it. It was later described as a badge of honor for interplanetary nurses.
Lead Figurines[]
Likenesses of Buck Rogers, Dr. Huer, Ardala, Robot, Wilma, and Killer Kane were molded of lead and painted in three colors.
Official Solar Scout Knife[]
This knife has two blades, a two-and-one-eighth-inch cutting blade and a multi-tool blade with screw adjuster and bottle opener. The handle is made of "ray-resisting white bone-like material" and has a picture of Buck navigating his spaceship stamped on each side; this design was originally in blue, but later was printed in other colors.
Rocket Rangers[]
Though the radio show ended, the comic strip and the club continued. The club was eventually administered by Famous Funnies, renamed Buck Rogers Rocket Rangers.
Also See[]