The Merchandise GuideMoonbase Alpha
Compiled by Martin Willey
The Merchandise GuideUS 1976-7
Fundimensions Plastic Construction Kit no 1-1903.
Vacuum formed 30.5 x 46 cm styrene lunar surface with 1:3200 base (layout accurate except for travel tubes and launch pads, of which just 3 are seen). Six 3 cm long finely detailed Eagles (1/800)
A 1/115 scale "Control Room" is also provided, with figures (Main Mission layout accurate but incorrect detailing).
MPC also produced the Eagle Transporter, Hawk and The Alien.
Reissued with new packaging in 1999 by AMT/Ertl.
Reissued with modifications and new packaging in 2014 by Round2
Publicity sheet (thanks to Stefano Guizzardi)
From the collections of E. James Small and Robert Ruiz.
Around 1998, E. James Small produced a version of the MPC kit, corrected with 5 launch pads, in just two pieces, the moonbase in landscape and the Main Mission tower. This version has been customized by David Penn to mount in a frame on the wall. The launch pads are metal, with the small Eagles glued in place. The pads and Alpha logo held by magnets so they can be moved around.
US 1999 $13.75
Kit no 30067.
Reissue with new packaging of the MPC/Fundimensions kit. The box painting features an exterior view of the base with a view of Command Center (oddly, as the model has an enlarged section of Main Mission).
US August 2014 $39.95
Kit no MPC803.
Reissue with new packaging of the MPC/Fundimensions kit. The kit has been modified to be more accurate.
The building detailing and height isn't very accurate, but understandable given the small scale of the model. The Main Mission interior also retains some inaccuracies including a spiral staircase to the balcony.
Box sides, the original MPC/Fundimensions kit and the Round 2 version (thanks to Gordon)
Anderson Entertainment sold kits in the UK and included a special card, like the cards included with the Round 2 Eagle model. The Moonbase card was limited to 100.
Instructions
US 1975. No 9256.
"Ages 5 and up"
"A complete play adventure from the fantastic TV series. Featuring:
"Durable fiberboard (sic) completely diecut, ready and fun to assemble. Complete illustrated instructions."
A diorama featuring a launch pad on the lunar surface and a two-storey moonbase building with radar dish. Two highly stylised Eagles (shortened and with pointed beaks), while the pad, base exterior and interior and moonbuggy are more in the style of the series. The Eagles have features directly copied from the Dinky version (compare the Whiting Eagle 1 Mammoth Model, also made of cardboard but much larger). The characters were very accurate artwork, including astronauts in poses from various episodes, Koenig, Helena and Bergman in uniform, Raan & Vana, the dragon (from Dragon's Domain), and transformed Zoref.
Sold in a large box with a photo of a child playing with the full play set. Box size 19.5" x 13.5" x 1" (49 x 34 x 2cm)
Amsco also produced the Put-Up Play-In Eagle. The parent company, Milton Bradley, produced a board game.
UK
A 24 inch (61 cm) diameter replica launch pad, approximately in scale with the 12 inch Product Enterprise Eagles. A limited edition of only 100. Unlike their other models (which were manufactured in China), it would be produced in the UK.
Original delivery date September 2009 and price £299. In July 2010 it was announced the new date would be end-October 2010, with a price of £465. It was never released.
Copyright Martin Willey
