Of all the SWORD toy fleet it's the MOONSHIP* [above] in the nearly-rans stable that is the sleekest. Like a bullet-train it's over a foot of streamlined elegance. But where did the inspiration come from? I'm not aware of the Moonship appearing on TV or in comics in it's own right. I am struck, however, by it's similarity to the FIREFLASH of Thunderbirds fame, pictured below.
Even closer in simplicity and style is the Super Jet painted by Ron Embleton as it appeared in Stingray in TV21 1965 TV21 pictured below [GACCH]. I've added another Moonship shot for comparison. Is the Moonship this or a stripped-down Fireflash? What do you think?
Fireflash was always a fan favourite and I often wondered why it hadn't joined Zero-X at the Century 21 toy factory. What an amazing plastic jet it would have been. Maybe the Moonship is the closest they got?
Fireflash continued to fascinate new generations and here's some cool art from a 1980's arcade game.
* the Moonship pictured is the AHI 'Super Space Plane' version in the Woodsy collection. The 'true' relative of Project SWORD is the Century 21 Moonship. Anybody got one?
I can't see any similarity to Fireflash, which always struck me as the bastard child of Concorde and the VC10.
ReplyDeleteIF the Moonship looks like anything aviation-related I'd say its more like a wingless business jet, a form of transport which was fairly new in the 1960s.
Sean
Must say, albeit reluctantly, that any similarity is purely coincidental and superficial :(
ReplyDeleteBut keep searching, Woodsy ^_^
The Fireflash was referred to as replacing the Concorde Mark IX in 2054 in the Century 21 biography.
ReplyDeleteFabulous reference MrNellie. I shall try to find a pic of the Concorde Mark IX. Ta.
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