This is Imai's miniature GOOD MODEL die-cast copy of the Scramble Bug, which they called simply 'Space Expedition Vehicle'. Dating from the early 1970's, I bought mine around 2000 from a dealer called Banzandy at the NEC Memorabilia show in England's second city, Birmingham. I can't remember how I first got to know about the Imai Bug - probably an email from someone - but I photographed my own in 2007 for a self-published book on SWORD toys I made online with Tesco.
The model itself is very similar to the much larger plastic C21 Project SWORD version even down to the small silver radar dish. Pressing the red dome does open the pilot hatch but its a pity Imai didn't try to articulate it like the original.Still its a fabulous toy and one of only two die-cast SWORD toys, the other being the larger Aoshima Zero-X, which sadly I don't own. I'd love to see them side by side as I think the blue metallic finish looks similar. Can anyone oblige with a family photograph of the bug and Zero-X?
With its card base and backing and the clear plastic blister top [not shown in my photograph], it appears to be part of the same series as other miniature die-cast Anderson toys made by Eidai Grip. I assume that Imai were simply trying to compete with them through their Good Model range. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
The Imai bug box contains this small catalogue of their GOOD MODEL range, which appear to be based on Japanese TV shows.
In 2009 our pal Terry tracked down this whole case of Imai's bugs, which we went on to offer blog readers as our first blog exclusive, the Project SWORD Mini Scramble Bug, with custom box art by our very own Wotan. Needless to say, they were all snapped up like hot cakes!
I have since seen a note on Worthpoint that Imai's Space Expedition Vehicle was based on one from a popular Japanese Manga TV show, but I believe this to be incorrect and that this 'bug' model was non- character. What do you think?
I'm reasonably certain that the Scramble Bug was not co opted for a manga or anime series unless it appeared briefly as a background element. I do like the ad artwork that features Mighty jack (the flying battleship), Super jetter (the car that resembles a lifting body), and the two kits from Submarine 707.
ReplyDeleteThanks RP. Why do you think that Imai chose the Scramble Bug for their Good Model die-cast range? They'd already had a go at it in their UFO Bases model kits so maybe that made it easier in some way. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI've been asking myself the same question. Imai was already producing kits based on Gerry Anderson series and it may have seemed like a good fit for that reason.
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