Dreamland to Toyland

It's amusing to know that despite Area 51's super secrecy while developing special projects for the US Government and the aerospace 'skunkworks' having an 'eyes only' shroud over development of aircraft, that after the projects are abandoned, they are often picked up by toymakers. Some of the Project SWORD toys have proceeded from this top security drawing board and many other have arrived in toyboxes from a similar origin.

One notably recent example is the Lockheed Martin X-33 spaceplane, which was intended to be The VentureStar was planned to be a next-generation, commercially operated resusable launch vehicle. Unfortunately government funding was pulled in 2001. However, Lockheed had continued testing as late as 2009.

The distinctive V-shaped body was designed to give lift in atmosphere and allow an unpowered glide on re-entry.As it passed from under the cloud of secrecy and into the public domain and imagination, toys began to appear.

One such toy is the Star Force Orbital Lab made by one of the many hong kong toy companies to fit into the GI Joe figure market. Its a large toy, about a foot long and came with a big yellow plastic booster and fuel tank, like the standard shuttle. Unfortunately, this resembles little more than a bath toy and doesnt sit well with the model. The back of the vehicle opens up to hold figures and also has a big articulated manipulator arm for cargo handling.

All Sizes together

Next up and truer to the original design is the Mattel Mega Rig version from the Space Base set. At about 4 inches and capable of connecting to a variety of other parts, this was my choice for forming the front shuttle unit while I built my own Nuclear Ferry. 

 Finally, from Matchbox comes the diminutive die cast X-33 Venturestar, as accurate a replica as you will find at just 2" long!

Matchbox Die Cast

Scratchbuilt Nuclear Ferry with Mega Rig X-33