I’m coming to the end of the previously published photos I’ve taken of the excellent Sixteen 12 Collectables 12” die-cast Eagle sets, currently on sale.
This is the
‘Dragon’s Domain’ Episode set of photos, which I only posted last month, but
hopefully some of you might be happy to see them again.
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.
It’s certainly a good looking model, with plenty of detailing.
The Eagle
that comes with the set has a detachable command module, or ‘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, although the base of the pod does have
the locating holes, first used in the 16/12 ‘Wargames’ set, for use with an in-flight
display stand.
The Dragon’s Domain episode is another fan
favourite, and is, unsurprisingly inspired by the story of St George & the
Dragon.
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 who played Captain Tony Cellini, the ‘George’ of the story, 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.
Some of the photos of the prototype Dragon's Domain models I took.
Nice photos (as ever), I really like that episode, it is one of the best of the series and beautifully represents the sheer gloom of season 1! All the guest characters die grisly deaths, it just takes years of misery for Cellini to catch up with his!
ReplyDeleteUltraprobe command module is a great ship though.
Thanks Kev. Yeah, it's certainly a good season 1 entry, and quite scary too.
DeleteAs I mentioned I would have preferred the story to have fleshed out Alan Carter's back story, but obviously Martin Landau wasn't having any of that!
The UPCM is a lovely design, and I, along with most people like the idea that it follows the Eagle Command Module look.
Beautiful photos Scoop and great to see. So realistic and bring out all the features of these spaceships.
ReplyDeleteAnother perfect photo shoot!
ReplyDeleteThanks buddies. I must say these revisited photos have gone down really well. Space 1999 related items are easily my most popular posts on here.
ReplyDelete