It's a big toy, around 21/2 feet long and packed with fun features. It came with simple instructions on how to assemble it, complete with a drawing of the accompanying sprue that contains the smaller parts, and a set of peel - off stickers.
The Beak or Command Module has a top flap allowing access into the cabin. Each of the two seated figures of John Koenig and Prof. Bergman that came with mine, can be placed inside. The rear Engine Module and Engine Bells can be detached and fitted directly into the back of the Command Module to make a mini-spaceship.
The brown glue marks are fairly common on all these models.
Although the box says it comes with three figures, I have ended up with five, two seated and three standing. Each of the standing having a likeness of Koenig, Russell and Bergman, and as I previously mentioned the two seated are Koenig and Bergman.
Unless that's how it this particular one was originally sold, I'm speculating that I probably have figures from another set, not that I'm complaining.
All the figures, including the two seated ones, come with detachable space packs and soft rubbery helmets, split to allow easy removal. The set is supposed to come with four stun guns and one laser rifle. However, mine has ended up with one stun gun and two laser rifles which kinda reinforces my theory about having the odd part from a separate set.
Inside the pod, fold down the (detachable ) door on one side, and a space crane, base hatch cover and weapons rack are revealed.
The view from the the other side of the pod showing two swivel chairs.
Seated Koenig and Bergman figures.
Finally, the box. Mine is a little worst for wear but as they're quite bulky it's surprising it's survived at all.
One of the top 5 toys I coveted as a child but never received... largely in part because of the figures I think, and the fact that it was properly white, rather than the strange green metallic of the smaller Dinky metal ones I'd seen.
ReplyDeleteNot that, as a kid, I was watching much Space 1999... it was known to me mostly through TV ads.
It's certainly a great toy.The figures are a great addition too. I believe Mattel had a plan to release seperate packs of figures to the same scale, but apparently were never released.
ReplyDeleteI want one of these,and I keep my eyes open for a good price on a fairly complete specimen.I would probably have to spend 300-500 dollars American though...ouch.
ReplyDeleteOwch! That's expensive Brian. I would have thought there'd be a few about in the US, as I don't think they made it to over here in the UK at the time (at least I don't remember ever seeing any here) Its certainly still a popular toy with 1999 fans. I class it as up there along side the Century 21 Zero X.
ReplyDeleteWorked at a "ToysRUs" store in Florida in the mid-80s. The high racks were used for overstock. One day they placed why up there on top two crates of these. I was too broke to buy one. And I think they were shipped off to another store as we never had them on sale.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame,but working in that toystore you must have seen lots of seventies goodies I'll bet. That would be a dream job for some of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your memories.
Wonder if it was the largest vintage Anderson toy to be produced back in then, Scoop? I could only imagine what it must have been like getting one of these beautifully huge beasties as a kid. It's a fantastic vintage toy with equally fantastic box art :
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is Tony. I bet you're right, I can't think of a bigger GA toy that was produced back in the seventies.
ReplyDeleteLike you say, imagine getting that as a youngster on Xmas day.
It looks a monster of a toy and not owning one its hard for me to be sure how big it is say compared to the C21 Zero-X. Any chance of a shot of them both together some time Scoop when you're at a loose end? ha ha. The interior of the toy reminds me a little of the inside of the Millennium Falcon toy for some reason. Superb.
DeleteWhen I get a moment I'll see what I can do, Woodsy :)
DeleteGreat posting.., I LOVED Space:1999 as an 12yr old, but by this time, my parents had figured I was too old for the Mattel toy, plus it was rather expensive. So I settled for the magazines, the model Eagle, the soundtrack, etc..
ReplyDeleteI did finally grab it about 15yrs ago, with all the figs, weapons, and other items... I know most folks like to take 'em apart, fix up the interior, repaint, etc, but I essentially kept mine as 'a Mattel toy'...
I did however invest in the ZBOT waterslide decals from Canada and they're FANTASTIC. Not only are they extremely high quality decals, but they include all the spacesuit patches and life-support pack decals. Besides painting up the figure's heads and adding some minor paint details, it's still a fantastic playset, which all true 1999 fans should strive to collect.
You're never too old for a Mattel Eagle, David ; )
DeleteThese decals you speak of sound great. The figures are my favourite accessories, I might have to invest in a set.
I have 2 of these. One of them I salvaged from Ebay the other I got as a Christmas present. I only have one surviving character but I seem to remember that it came with 3 characters with interchangeable bottom part so you could have them sitting or standing.
ReplyDeleteAh I see, thanks for that. So from how you remember yours , it should have a Koenig,Russell and Bergman with the option of two standing and one seated : )
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