ZICA/Giant Leap Toys Eagle 1976

Eagle 1976 (ZICA/Giant Leap Toys)

UK and USA 2024 pre-order, delivery April 2026 (originally October 2025)

UK £329; US $399. …

UK: Anderson special edition: £399 each
UK: Anderson standard edition: £329 each
US: Kickstarter (20 September - 19 November 2024)
- US: Kickstarter standard edition: $325 each
- US: Kickstarter Mattel edition: $359 each
- US: Kickstarter Dinky edition: $359 each
- US: Kickstarter Eagle Astronaut Crew Pack (4 figures only): $50
- US: Kickstarter All-In-Package (standard+ Mattel + figures); $700
US: After Kickstarter (late November 2024)
- US: standard edition (after kickstarter): $399 each
- US: Eagle Astronaut Crew Pack (4 figures only): $80
US:
- US: standard edition: $330 each
- US: Mattel edition: $330 each
- US: Dinky edition: $330 each
- US: Eagle Astronaut Crew Pack (4 figures only): $50
- US: All-In-Package (standard+ Mattel + figures); $700

This model was based on the Mattel 1976 Eagle, updated with more accurate detail (especially the legs) but retaining the play features of the original (such as the pod interior with winch). It is a little longer than the Mattel Eagle, at 91cm long (10cm longer than the original). There are two 9cm tall astronaut figures with 4 commlocks, 4 stun guns, 2 laser rifles and 2 APL rifles; individual action figures are the obvious next follow-up.

UK distribution by Anderson Entertainment, who sold a batch of 311 with custom packaging and a certificate of authenticity from Jamie Anderson. This was announced at the London: 1999 convention on 13 September 2024; pre-orders had sold out by 18th September.

US distribution by Zika.Giant Leap Toys via a Kickstarter fund-raiser (from 20 September for 60 days). One variant option is oriented to Mattel collectors, with red engine bells and packaging. A second Dinky version (with green leg pods) was added October 2024. Normally if the Kickstarter goal ($250,000) is not reached the project is aborted, but the creators had a "plan B" to proceed. On 28 October they cancelled the Kickstarter, with small prices changes at the time.

The toy is manufactured in Asia and separate containers are sent to US and UK, to keep postal costs down.

Zika Toys website

Below: Production prototype (September 2024)

Below: Production prototypes (September 2025)

Below: Photos by Gordon Moriguchi

Packaging

Unboxing. The outer carton notes each of the four types- Alpha 311 (Anderson special edition for UK market), Standard (US/UK), Retro MTL (Mattel, US) and Retro Dinky (UK). This is the Retro Dinky edition (with a small Sixteen 12 Retro Eagle). The box is 88.5 x 47.5 x 30.5cm and weighs 7.2kg (according to the box).

The boxes of the Mattel Eagle (red engine bottles, black cross hatch on the command module), Dinky Eagle (green command module and leg pods) and standard Eagle (all white).

Main packaging, for the Retro Dinky edition. The others are variations of this (the Eagle is white for the other editions, with colour variations for the Mattel edition). Packaging art and text are closely based on the original Mattel Eagle (which was "over 2 1/2 feet long", and is now "over 3 feet long"; there are 2 "action figures" instead of the original "three 3" TV characters").

Anderson special Alpha edition

The Anderson Special Edition (limited to 311 units) adds a certificate of authenticity, and a "pilot's license" which also includes Superswift, Swift, Hawk and Falcon (but not a Pilot Ship, oddly).

Eagle

The Dinky edition with box.

The variations, standard, Dinky and Mattel.

Details

Details and interior. While it retains the Mattel toy features (the bucket seats, crane and thick columns in the centre), some of the instrument decals and the bulkhead doors are more faithful to the series.