ANOTHER LOOK AT THE SIXTEEN 12 DRAGON'S DOMAIN EPISODE SET

 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.