Hi Woodsy,
I'd like to share a few pics of my two 1960s MPC Fireball XL5 toys.
The XL5 is a grail piece for me. It took a long time to find an undamaged example with it's original box and crew. I imported both examples from the USA.
This toy is very much a product of its period, made from plastic with lots of activity features which guarantee hours of space age fun to the atomic age kid.
One example has the original decals, whilst the other has screen accurate replacements. For all of its fragile simplicity... it's an amazing vintage toy from an exciting period in time.
Tony K
I think you should send me your spare one, seeing as how I am just a poor boy, from a poor fam-i-ly. Nah? Well, it was worth a try. I never knew about this toy at the time, only having the Quercetti parachute XL5 toy, but I'm drooling just looking at these. I do have white metal recasts of the figures (the standing up ones, not the Venus on a jetmobile one) and they're very nice. Oh, go on - send me your spare. I'll give you £1.
ReplyDeleteHi Kid, Thanks for your comments. Like yourself, I only found out about this toy version of XL5 as an adult collector. I guess that 'if' this USA made and distributed XL5 did land in UK toys shops in the 60s, it would have been in very small numbers? On the plus side, they do crop up on ebay from time to time, even here in the UK... so keep 'em peeled. Not sure if you know, MPC also produced a much larger boxed Fireball XL5 Space City playset, which included a cardboard punch-out Space City Headquarters and numerous plastic space related vehicles and astronauts to go with the ship. I can only imagine the jaw-dropping thrill of getting one of these on Christmas day back in the 60s. All the best, Tony K
ReplyDeleteHello how can I find a stand for my fireball XL5?
DeleteI haver just looked on Ebay USA and there are plastic model ship stands like Traxxas that might work. You would have to measure your XL5 and compare the dimensions to the stands. I'm just guessing. In the UK maybe Airfix or Josway boat stands on Ebay?
DeleteIt is a gorgeous set Tony I can see so many other toys that were influenced by the main ship, especially other spaceships. It was originally called Century 21 instead of Fireball XL5 I think. Which name do you prefer?
ReplyDeleteYes, it was originally called Century 21, but that wasn't the only difference. It was also a silvery-bluish colour and, although essentially the same shape, was more streamlined around what came to be called Fireball Junior. You can see pics of it here: http://kidr77.blogspot.com/2010/12/century-21-by-derek-meddings-two-posts.html
DeleteYes, I knew about the larger playset, Tony. It would be great to have one, but as it wasn't a toy I actually had as a kid, it's not at the top of my 'must-have' list. I think I'd have to wait until that Lottery win before I could afford one anyway, going by the price I see them going for.
Hi Woodsy and a big thank you for sharing the MPC XL5 pics through your brilliant blog. I didn't know it was originally going to be called Century 21. I wonder why the name was changed ? I do prefer Fireball XL5 though. Looking back, I think the dramatic name projected exciting connotations into the mind of a sci fi mad 60s/70s kid. The name sums up the era. It's a childhood pop culture zeitgeist for me I guess. Besides Woodsy, who could forget that wonderfully catchy, quirky theme song... ''I wish I was a Spaceman''. Ah, if only ! Thanks mate, Tony K
ReplyDeleteThat said, Century 21 may also have been an exciting name from the perspective of a 60s kid who was just begining to explore the world of sci fi through TV and comics.
I wish I was a Spaceman! yep, that says it all. We were space mad back then and I wonder of any generation will ever be as space mad as we were? Speaking of Fireballs, Hoover released a beautiful XL5- inspired toy called the Space Bird. Not common at all these days. http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/blog-legend-hoover-space-bird.html
DeleteWow... I've just read the link for the ultra rare Hoover XL5-inspired Space Bird. I love the subtle things which link so many toys together with a common origin. The blog is a gold mine of amazing information. Thanks for sharing Woodsy and Kid. All the best, Tony K
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the original price of this toy back in 1965?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I don't know the original 1960s price? I'd certainly like to find out though if anyone else knows :)
DeleteI got mine at age 6 in 62/3 , it was around 15 bucks.
DeleteI remember when I was about six years old, seeing an entire store display in the toy department of Capwell's department store in Oakland, California. I believe that they sold for $5.95
ReplyDeleteA great Fireball XL5 memory that Barry. Hope you got one!
DeleteI was given one of these for Christmas 1964 when we lived in Los Angeles. Fireball was on national TV in the US whereas in England it had already been replaced by Stingray. This was a great collection but I remember the first breakage occurred within a week. Still, fabulous for a six year old.
ReplyDeleteOh to be six again Timothy! Christmas 64 must have been special. Then again everything seemed special back then! Have you got yourself a new XL5 to replace the old broken one?
DeleteI did buy the die cast metal model with detachable Fireball Junior which came out in the 1990s. It looks very impressive on our mantelpiece pointed towards the heavens. That series had the same excitement as 'Space, the final frontier....'
DeleteMy parents bought me this set when I was probably 7-8 years old. I played with it forever. I really wish I had it now.
ReplyDeleteFantastic memories of an ace toy, Otto. I hope you manage to track one down and relive those childhood space adventures :)
ReplyDeleteI had this as a kid! It was one of my favorite toys of all time! I think I was 3 or 4 when I got it.
ReplyDeleteGlad we could help you remember your treasured toy BMo2xl.
DeleteI had one too, sadly long gone :(
ReplyDeleteGot it with grocery store trading stamps. Too big to bring the entire thing to school to show off, but I could bring the front part :)
The rockets actually fired too IIRC. I'm afraid to look to see what what it costs now. Since the copyrights have expired, I suggest you 3D Print me a copy and send it here :)
Hi GWG, glad you stopped by. It was a HUGE toy wasn't it. I bet someone out there is 3D printing this toy somewhere! Maybe have a look on Ebay just to see what you could get!
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DeleteBeautiful examples of the MPC Fireball XL5. I loved that show and ship so much I was up Saturday morning at 7AM to watch the intro takeoff. I had a chance to get a whole MPC Space City and Fireball XL5 on ebay but I didn't bid on it and it went for a lousy $250 bucks! Thats pocket change now. My wife said you fool why didn't you bid. But work, the baby, I didn't think straight. Thank you for uploading Hi-Rez images, their in my folder for the search.
ReplyDeleteI bet your right. I knew those 3D printers were going to take off. I just bought a 3D printed missile set for my Millennium Falcon. I was going to ask my daughter to do them at school but for 10 bucks on ebay who cares. There is a digital God! Glad I found your site. Pinterest is good for something. I'm American but my gramps is from England so I'm a bit of a Limey. I love all things Gerry Anderson and Irwin Allen. If you can't dream you're dead.
ReplyDeleteha ha, fireballer, if you can't dream youre dead! That should be the blog's new motto! Thanks for the thumbs up and glad we could help with your dreams. Tony K's photo's of his own Fireball are really great I agree. In the words of the show 'I wish I was a Spaceman, the fastest guy alive, I'd flow around the Universe in Fireball XL5!". Too right!
DeleteMy buddies brother loves that song "I wish I was a spaceman". What a great and inspiring age. Have you ever noticed XL5's Lounge? With that big half circle sofa-Talking about Groovey! Park the XL5 in orbit and have a 007 party bash. White Tux and gowns of course...stirred not shaken...
ReplyDeleteTo kick back with Steve Zodiac!
DeleteHow can I get this and how much?
ReplyDelete