PARTY LIKE ITS 2019: MY LOOK BACK AT A YEAR OF SPACE:1999

I couldn’t end the year without another nod to Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s live action TV series Space:1999 . 

It’s nearly 45 years since it was first shown, and even now still retains a very healthy fan base, and for anyone scratching the surface of fandom will find it is still very much in the public consciousness

A recent edition of the BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind was won by British journalist Samira Ahmed who, dressed in a replica Space: 1999 tunic, provided by mega collector, James Winch, chose the sci-fi series as her specialist subject answering all the nine questions correctly. Following the later General knowledge round, which she also won, she was ultimately crowned Celebrity Mastermind Champion of Champions. Professor Bergman would be proud.

I even chanced on hearing a toy expert chatting on Radio Lancashire on Christmas Day about Space: 1999 Mattel figures, in particular a John Koenig doll. He waxed lyrically about the series. However, when asked about future values, he was putting his money on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles merchandise - foolish boy!

In spite of that, it’s been a good year for new commercially available Space: 1999 goodies. 

These are just some I’m aware of.

We’ve had Plastic construction kits from Round 2 around for a while, including their two versions of 22” Eagles, a 1:72 scale Mark IV Hawk, as well as a Nuclear Disposal Area 2 Diorama set. This year they’ve recently released a mega-accurate 1:72 scale 14” Eagle. 

Aside from models, in September, Big Finish Audio released a re-booted audio version of ‘Breakaway’, the opening Space: 1999 episode re-written to fall into line with modern sensibilities. 

A special edition was available briefly on the Anderson Entertainment site but, I'm told this has now sold out. Anderson Entertainment also have a limited edition Space:1999 calendar 

Depending on the success of the Big Finish 'Breakaway', other editions may well be in the pipe line. 

Have I missed anything? Only teasing – Sixteen 12 have been busy producing their ‘Episode Collection’ featuring their 12” die-cast Eagles during the year.

It’s no secret I’m very fond of these sets, as indeed, I was equally fond of Sixteen 12’s previous incarnation as Product Enterprise.

This year we’ve seen Sixteen 12 release their ‘Immunity Syndrome’ set which featured the Glider. Following on from their sell-out ‘Breakaway’ pallet Eagle, this limited edition run sold out shortly after its release.

The ‘Exiles’ set which had a manipulator arm, life pod, nuclear fuel cell and a top mounted laser gun, and the ‘New Adam, New Eve’ set, featuring magnetic side boosters. A few of both these sets are still available from the Sixteen 12 website.

The ‘Retro Eagle’; a nod to the vintage Dinky Eagle in green and chrome. Even after all these years some still didn’t understand the colour choice. With just a limited run of 500, it certainly didn’t stop it selling out on the Sixteen 12 website.

In spite of its cost the deluxe Eagle Hangar, which features a laboratory Eagle with a upper boosters, and a pallet Eagle with removable winch motor, plus figures and a hangar diorama has sold out on the Sixteen 12 website.

That said all these sets are still currently available from other retailers and dealers.

Simultaneously released with the Eagle Hangar is the ‘Breakaway’ Part 2 set, which features an orange V.I.P. pod as seen in the episode. There is also the additional bonus of a lunar tank first seen in ‘The Infurnal Machine’ episode. This striking set is unsurprisingly sold out on the Sixteen 12 website.

Some also got a 12” Eagle ‘signature’ edition, personally signed by SFX Director Brian Johnson, in a presentation box. This limited 300 edition is very much a special as there’s no link on the website. To get one or register an interest email Sixteen 12 directly.

Finally, as I acquired it only recently the 1:24^th scale Alpha Moon Buggy which appeared in January.

 I should also point out that the series is currently being run on Force TV, as well as The Horror Channel.

One thing that is eagerly anticipated is the Space: 1999 Vault book, which was due for release in September to coincide with the Fanderson Supercelebrition convention. Unfortunately, its release date has been put back until next year.

Well, that’s about it from me. I’m off to party on down at my local pub. I’ll resist the temptation to say, ‘party like its 1999’, oh, who am I kidding – Happy New Year everybody and…party like its 1999!