More photos
I took of the Sixteen 12 ‘The Infernal Machine’ episode set, now that they have
uploaded images on their website and opened their early bird discount offer until 26th
June.
This set
comprises of a standard Eagle Transporter and loading platform display; Alpha
Moon buggy; Eagle Beak Alpha Tank and Flatbed Alpha Tank.
(The third
Laser Tank model comes with the Sixteen 12 Breakaway part 2 set)
Some have
mentioned they would have liked to have seen a model of the Infernal Machine
itself in the set but maybe that proved impractical for reasons I don’t know. Anyway, the tanks have always been popular with fans and certainly for those
who want a ready-made product.
In the
episode a mechanical megalomaniac called Gwent, whose outer appearance is an
outlandish space craft lands near Moonbase Alpha. Aboard is a single dying occupant, named Companion who tells the Alphans he is
Gwent’s creator. However, over time Gwent has evolved to be dominated by the
negative aspects of its personality. When
Companion finally dies, Gwent, afraid of an empty and isolated existence needs
a new companion and wants one of the Alphans to fill the vacancy.
Trivia: The episode,
written by Anthony Terpiloff and Elizabeth Barrows takes its name from the 1934
play; The Infernal Machine by Jean
Cocteau, which itself was based on Sophocles’ tragedy Odedipus Rex.
Three laser
tanks were built for the episode by Martin Bower, using 1/24 scale Tamiya
Chieftain tank kits for the lower hull.
It’s assumed
in Space: 1999 mythos that the laser tanks are adapted lunar construction
vehicles.
Several
Eagles appear in the episode. Two armed Eagles attack Gwent, which end up
suffering superficial damage, and Eagle 4 is used to carry supplies to the
Gwent ship. Later in the episode Gwent quells an attack from Alpha who carry out
a full assault using Eagles and Laser tanks.
As the set
comes with a 16/12 loading platform display plinth, the grey one rather than the red, I’m thinking of it as Eagle
4, although, as the nit pickers will be swift to point out it does take off
from the standard circular Alpha launch pad.
I think it’s
fair to emphasise that the photos show prototype models which will no doubt
have several makeovers before release, especially the front of the Eagle beaked
tank.
The set is
limited to 1500, and is provisionally set for release in October, 2020
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