Following on from my previous post on the Product Enterprise Supercar, here’s a few photos I’ve taken of their stunning die-cast Fireball XL5.
It’s just 10” (255mm) long, but nevertheless a fine model with plenty of detailing, and some subtle weathering.
It features a detachable Fireball Junior which is held in place by a powerful magnet.
I particularly like the retro packaging which definitely has that sixties vibe.
The box design is credited to Graham Humphreys, and the model maker is Ian Crichton.
The model, which comes with it’s own ‘v’ shaped display stand, is dated 2005, and like the Product Enterprise Supercar, was based on a much earlier previous die-cast model release which was available through Comet Miniatures.
Unfortunately as I don’t have access to an original Comet Miniature XL5 to photograph, I had to reluctantly use a photo I found on the web, so credit to the original photographer. Here’s a comparison photo; the Comet Miniatures XL5 is the one at the bottom.
This earlier Comet Miniatures XL5 looked to be fairly good, although I don’t know whether it has a detachable Fireball Junior. It comes with a display stand made from MDF similar to the C.M. Supercar stand, and like the Supercar had a limited run of not more than 100.
However, it looks to have slightly less detail than the superior Product Enterprise model, and lacks any weathering.
A simple sticker attached to a plain cardboard box makes up Comet Miniatures packaging for both the Supercar and Fireball XL5 die-casts.
Unsurprisingly, both models are well out of production. I don’t know how well the Product Enterprise Fireball XL5 sold at the time. I was lucky enough to purchase mine at one of the Birmingham NEC Memorabilia events when the model was first released.
I’ll resist the temptation to say ‘my heart is still a Fireball!’
Great photos. Once again, I've got the PE one but never knew the Comet one existed.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev. Yeah, I only found out about the Comet one fairly recently. I'm wondering whether there's a die-cast CM Stingray. Any readers know?
DeleteI never knew Comet Models did a die cast, I only remember the small white metal one and a larger vac-u-form one with metal detailing (neither of which I have).
DeleteYeah, this model (and the Supercar) sneaked in under the radar didn't it! I usually see Tony James formally of Comet Miniatures at the Smallspace event. (I bought a reissue of the reissue of the Polar Lights Spindrift from him this year) If I remember I'll quiz him about them.
DeleteLooks like a great toy and the space shpts of yours are great Scoop.
ReplyDeleteThanks Woodsy, took a week to set things up.
DeleteThank you for this. I have two of these, one still mint-in-box. My heirs will be rich someday! :D
ReplyDeleteA beautiful toy, but I really don't like those dark panel line washes, which seem to be obligatory on every model made in the past thirty years. What's the point? An attempt to be "realistic"? I've never seen dirty panel lines like that on aircraft in real life. Anyhoo, I like my toys nice and pristine and shiny, meself!
ReplyDeleteI suppose the weathering issue is all a matter of taste, Zigg.
DeleteThat dark weathering on the Product Enterprise model is obviously supposed to mimic what the original Fireball prop models looked like, and special effects maestro, Derek Meddings did like his weathering, didn't he. It's interesting that Product Enterprise chose to leave their die-cast Stingray in a shiny pristine condition, but did go over the top with their Skydiver and original set of SHADO Mobiles.