I don't remember Space Cadet,
but I do remember Space Patrol,
which was on the radio in 1952.
It came on Saturdays along with
Big John and Sparky.
I saved up some cereal boxtops
and sent off for a plasma pistol
not unlike the one in the picture.
You put flour in it so when you
pulled the trigger, a puff of white
came out the barrel.
I had a very cool cardboard spaceship from whichever one was the show on TV. Space helmet, the works. My Father was an engineer for the NACA, npw NASA, during WWll. He encouraged my interest.