A few shots of the 16/12 Retro Interceptor which is based on their standard Interceptor , but uses the colours inspired by the old Dinky version.
This invariably prompts many people to ask the age old question why Dinky chose metallic green, rather than what we saw on screen. Over the years plenty of armchair experts have come up with plenty of theories ranging from a surfeit of green paint at the factory, to the idea that, with some exceptions, white models don't sell as well as those in attractive colours.
I think it's fair to say, your guess is as good as mine.
Personally, I've learned to live with the green Dinky Interceptor!
Neat! I had a few of those, only the side legs kept breaking off. I found even Epoxy wouldn't hold it in place, (which taught me a lesson about types of glue.)
ReplyDeleteOddly, I remember seeing the Green Dinky interceptors before I saw the show, so the white interceptors looked kind of dull to me. :)
An interesting point, Scott. When I first saw the photos prior to seeing the series in a TV times article , my initial impression was I thought that Straker and Foster were the aliens, as their wigs reminded of Thals from Dr Who, and they actually travelled in the UFO
DeleteI've got the Countdown poster visible in the first picture!
ReplyDeleteThat's my original poster I got at the time with No 1, Kev. I've still got all my original Countdowns.
DeleteWow, that is very impressive. I've got the poster but not much else. Not got a UFO flask either but I don't mention it very often!
DeleteI suppose the obvious main problem with the flasks is the vacuum inside is prone to breaking and they get discarded. For us collectors that wouldn't be a problem as we only want it for the exterior.
DeleteFollowing the launch of Hot Wheels in 1968, which were finished in Spectraflame metallic paints, other companies jumped on the custom vehicle bandwagon. The 1970s were the decade of low-friction wheels and way-out graphics, when even the most mundane models were enlivened with metallic paint finishes. My guess would be that the metallic green Dinky UFO Interceptors were simply part of the whole trend towards metallic paints in the early 1970s. They were certainly not unique in this regard.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paul, another theory to add to the list.
DeleteI saw one at the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center…but I could not have it and the Dinky Enterprise both..
ReplyDeleteI never managed to get a Dinky Enterprise at the time, and finding a decent one these days at a reasonable price is getting harder, Anon.
DeleteThey've done a great job Scoop. You too. Brings back fab memories of my Interceptor blasting armies of Airfix soldiers on my bedroom carpet!
ReplyDeleteDid you use caps when you fired the missile, Woodsy? I did, and I can still see the singe marks! :)
DeleteThat colour thing raised by Scott is interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhen the green Dinkys came out, I was disappionted, as a kid, because they didn't look like the ones in the show.
However, given the red Lunar Module, light blue mobiles and gold Skydiver, a green Interceptor makes sense.
You could be right, Mish, but green for a TV spaceship! I don't think anyone would go for that! ; D (he says tongue firmly in cheek)
DeleteOf course Scoop. That's a crazy idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat was I thinking !