Sixteen 12 Collectables have begun sending out the pre-orders of their new Retro Swift die-cast model.
Continuing Sixteen 12's retro Dinky toy inspired collectables, which already includes a green Eagle Transporter and a Blue Eagle Freighter, their original accurately painted Swift gets a complete make over in bold garish colours!
It's fair to say that when Sixteen 12 gave collectors their first look at the Dinky inspired coloured model it was met with mixed opinions.
I did post some of Sixteen 12's preview photos on here, back in December, 2022, and a couple of our regular readers offered their own views.
Reader, ZigguratSF2000 liked the look of 'the goofy green cockpit', while reader, Mish reckoned the green should be darker, the windows should be black rather than yellow, and the fuel tanks and side pods, red.
I should add that most comments on social media were a lot less kind.
It's hard not to see it initially as an ugly duckling for sure. Personally, I think the green colour may have looked better in the metallic blue .
(I'm reminded of the original blue/red/yellow/white colours Corgi used for their James Bond DAF Moonbuggy which I found far more attractive than their later more accurately painted reissue)
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There's just a limited run of 300 of these models, so not that many. I know a few people who kick themselves for missing out on the 16/12 Retro Eagle Transporter ,which also got a fair amount of stick when it first appeared.
So if you'll forgive my mixed metaphor, ugly duckling it may be, but it may well turn into a handsome frog at some point!
I stand by my original comment, and I love 16/12’s mission statement - to create beautiful diecast SF models that MIGHT have been released in the glorious 1970s. Cool designs, good workmanship, and love love love the garish colors! Marvelous pix, too - takes me back to the glory days of finding a Century 21 Dinky Toys in the local toy shop. Lovely post!
ReplyDeletePS: SF_Ziggurat
DeleteYou're original comment was, and is perfectly valid, Ziggurat, and I'm glad you made it. Your comments are, as always refreshingly positive to read, and always welcome. Cheers
DeleteStill think the fuel tanks should be red.
ReplyDeleteAs the tanks are detachable, I'll try a photo with the original 16/12 Swift's tanks, later and we'll see, Mish.
DeleteI want POTA's Icarus as the nose in that paint...maybe the Super-Swift's follow on-the Ultra Swift,
ReplyDeleteI imagine Sixteen 12 will want to shift their existing model stocks first before they plan new releases, Anon. Personally, I'd love to see a commercially available model of Icarus released from any source. The only problem is we only get to see a nose cone in POTA and a few cast off Lost in Space prop legs in BTPOA. Everything else I've seen is fan created, including the name(s) of the ship.
DeleteThe model looks fine to me. I'd kind of like to see some of the ships from UFO in those colors. Imagine what they'd do with Skydiver...
ReplyDeleteAs for the Swift: Maybe it needed "Bright Yellow Wheels" as Brian the Brain went on about. ;)
Annoying plot hole in that show was that if the Swift had made it all the way from Earth, and now had 'infinite' fuel then the darn thing should be able to take them back to Earth.
Another annoyance: It seemed to me that the part of Brian was written for Jerry Lewis to voice the character. That would've made the episode Soo much better!
Hi Scott, 16/12 have already done a Retro Interceptor from UFO in metallic green, and did plan to do a blue Mobile. It would be interesting to see how Skydiver might have turned out given the 'Dinky' look.
DeleteThe Swift may well have got back to Earth but it's how long it might have taken to get there. It was only a support ship after all.
I confess I hated Jerry Lewis's comic persona as a kid, I much prefer, the legend that was Bernard Cribbins in the role of Captain Michaels and the voice of Brian.
Well, I'll have to confess, I'm not very familliar with Bernard Cribbins. I just looked him up, and the only thing I'd be able to remember is his role in the 1960s Dr. Who Movie with the Daleks.
DeleteMaybe if I were more familiar with his work, I'd appreciate it more.
I'm afraid I found the voice of "Brian" more irritating than comical. And Jerry Lewis could be pretty darn irritating...!