Here's some photos I've taken of the recently released Retro die-cast Eagle Transporter from Sixteen 12 collectables which uses the Dinky Toys colour scheme first seen in 1975.
As every interested party knows Dinky decided to paint their die-cast Transporter green! Why did they do that? Well, as the question is raised every time the Dinky Eagle Transporter in mentioned there are several theories and ideas floating around, most of which are anecdotal , unconfirmed, or just simply made up!. I favour the idea that Dinky felt that all white toys didn't sell well, so they added the green to break it up. Another theory is that Dinky considered that the Eagle was perhaps a military vehicle and green was used for military vehicles. Another rather more fanciful idea is that Dinky over-ordered green paint for their Johnston Road Sweeper model and used the surplus for the UFO Interceptor (another military vehicle) and later, the Eagle Transporter.
Whatever the reason, it won't stop some people complaining about it, or coming up with yet more reasons to explain it. Anyway, as Dinky brought out their Eagle Freighter later that year with the main body painted white and a red radioactive cannister freight carrier, you could do what I did at the time and create an all white Dinky Eagle by mixing the two.
Nowadays, I'm perfectly comfortable with the look of the green Dinky Transporter, as it fills me with nostalgic memories taking me right back to 1975, when I bought my first Dinky Eagle at Dellahunty's cycle and toy shop on Ash Street Bridge in my home town of Southport. So naturally, I was pleased to read that Sixteen 12 Collectables were releasing a new die cast 12" version.
As the writing on the rear of the box says, its a tribute to those classic Gerry Anderson Dinky toys of the seventies, the blue Thunderbird 2, the green UFO Moonbase Interceptor and SHADO 2 Mobile and the green and blue Eagles.
As it's based on one of Sixteen 12's own 12" die casts, its obviously not going to be an exact replica of the original Dinky, but it's a fair comparison. The colours are spot on as far as I'm concerned, and the chrome engine bells really finish it off.
It has yellow manoeuvring jets, chrome VTOL engine bells fitted to the undercarriage, and red exit doors on the pod.
The detailed pod detaches and stands on its four red legs, cast alloy in this case rather than plastic on the Dinky. It has two blue and white Alpha Moonbase decals on either side of the pod. These are the same ones used on the other Sixteen 12 episode sets pods, and are just an ever so slightly darker blue than the ones on the Dinky, which have just one on each side. That's not a criticism by the way, simply an observation.
The pod windows look fine painted red, whereas it's clear red plastic ones on my Dinky toy.
The Eagle has it's own card display plinth very reminiscent of the old Dinky plinth, and it even has a clear acetate cover. Another nice touch from Sixteen 12
The packaging looks the part too, and is practical as it safely transports the Eagle and the display plinth with its acetate cover next to one another.
The Retro Eagle Transporter is limited to just 500 models, and have already sold out on the Sixteen 12 Collectable website, however for those who missed out and like the look of this nostalgic beauty they will still be available for a time from other dealers.
Thanks go to Steve and the team at Sixteen 12 Collectables
More new Sixteen 12 Collectables Eagle 'Episode Sets' photos soon
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