Here are a few recent photos I’ve taken of the latest Sixteen 12 Collectables Deluxe ‘Dragon’s Domain’ Die-cast Episode set.
I’ve already taken several photos of the 16/12 prototype set a while back which can still be seen on the Sixteen 12 website, and a few other on-line shops, but I just wanted to take a few new snaps of the actual finished set.
The set features an in-scale Ultra Probe Command Module. This has always been a popular design with Space: 1999 fans, especially with garage kit creators and builders.
Obviously the Ultra Probe Command Module is the selling point for this latest set, and it is, of course a great looking model, and a must for those who prefer an instant display item without the hassle of painstakingly building one.
The Command Module has lots of detailing, as well as poseable (or articulated) rear docking clamps. It also comes with its own display stand.
The Eagle that comes with the set has a detachable ‘beak’ nose cone, as seen in the episode, which magnetically attaches to the main body, helped by gently clicking it into place.
The Eagle itself has an added component not on previous Sixteen 12 versions in that the rear engines have the ring of tubing around the back of the engine bells which I believe first appeared in the opening second season episode, The Metamorph, and was fitted to supply the Freon gas to create the rocket trail effect from the engine bells.
The more pedantic fans will no doubt point out that Dragon’s Domain is a first season episode which didn’t have the tubing, but I can’t see anyone complaining, as it’s a nice addition!
The Eagle comes with a loading platform display plinth, and aluminium engine bells, plus the little Alpha Moon Buggy which helps to give an idea of scale.
The Dragon’s Domain episode is another fan favourite, and is inspired by the story of St George & the Dragon.
The ‘George’ in the story is Ultra Probe pilot
Tony Cellini (played by Italian actor, Gianni Garko) who, while travelling to
the planet Ultra chances upon what looks like an abandoned group of derelict alien spacecraft. After
docking with one of the vessels and opening the airlock, the crew encounters a
huge one-eyed, tentacled alien space monster.
All the crew except, Cellini are consumed , and after failing to destroy
the hideous creature, Cellini locks himself in the Ultra Probe Command Module,
and separates from the main ship leaving the creature behind. He uses the
planet, Ultra in a slingshot maneuverer to begin a long journey home.
Eventually he gets back to Moonbase
Alpha, prior to its breakaway from the Earth in 1999.
Much later, the 877thday
to be precise, since the wandering Moon left Earth, Alpha detects the abandoned
ships ‘graveyard at around the same time as Cellini begins to suffer nightmares
about the creature.
Cellini, haunted and tormented by his
memories, hi-jacks an Eagle and makes his way back to the Ultra Probe. He detaches the Eagle ‘beak’ and re-attaches
it to the front of the Probe.
Koenig, Bergman and Helena in another
Eagle, dock at a different point and enter the Ultra Probe. They find Cellini
held by the creature’s tentacles, stabbing it repeatedly in the head, before he
too, is consumed.
Koenig picks up an axe, and swings it
into the eye of the weakened monster, finally killing it.
What a guy!
It’s
interesting to me that the episode was originally to have focused on Eagle
pilot, Alan Carter (played by 1999 regular, Nick Tate), giving the character a
back story, but it later transpired that main star, Martin Landau wasn’t happy
with the idea and persuaded the production team to rewrite it for a guest
actor.
When asked
about this at the Alpha: 2014 convention, Nick diplomatically replied that,
’Martin knew how to be the star!’
Ironically,
Italian, Gianni Garko was not a fluent speaker of the English language and
asked Nick Tate to help him with his lines.
Other notes
from the episode include that rumour has it that a model of the USS Enterprise
and Doctor Who’s Tardis were filmed as part of the spaceships graveyard scenes;
could be true, but the footage was certainly never used.
Another
point of interest is the scene set in Commissioner Dixon’s office on Earth was
actually M’s office seen in the EON James Bond films at the time.
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