Space 1999 Imai Eagle Models

EAGLE TRANSPORTER (Academy, Imai, Imex)

Plastic model kit 1:110.

Japan 1976 onwards in various forms:

"Eagle 1" (1977)	B-364-500	Powered by clockwork motor	Art was the same as the B-750-400 in 1981.
"UFO Eagle Transporter Eagle 1" (1980)	B-750-300	Company: Academy (Korea)	The Academy version released in Korea.
"Eagle Transporter Eagle 1" (1980)	B-750-400	Without clockwork motor	1980 Box featured art of rescue Eagle over the Moonbase from "UFO". "Space 1999" logo was small and hidden bottom right.
"Eagle Transporter Eagle One" (1981-1990)	B-750-400	"Space Science Series"	1981 Box 24.5 x 18 x 5 cm. Art/photo of launching rescue Eagle. Japanese text ("Eagle 1") or English title ("Eagle Transporter")
"Eagle Transporter" (1994)	B-750-1000	"Space Science Series"	The art is identical to the 1981 version, but the copyright is updated and kit number changed.
"Eagle Transporter" (2001)	831716-1500	"Space Science Series"	2001 Box featured photo of Rescue Eagle on pad with series logo and credit to Carlton. This version is molded in white plastic, has legs (instead of wheels), and is mounted on a moon hemisphere.
"Eagle Transporter" (April 2004)	AOS03367	Reissue by Aoshima	2004 Box featured another photo of Rescue Eagle launching from pad with series logo and credit to Carlton. Same as 2001 version, but issued by model company Aoshima.

Length 21.5 cm; 33 parts, with transfer decals for nose cone insets and side jets, plus red stripes for rescue pod (to be applied to top of pod, under framework, not sides). Original versions had 4 rubber wheels; from 2001 these were replaced by long legs. Polystyrene cement included. Some fine detailing, but crude in appearance, especially with ungainly pod wheels (until the 2001 edition). Instruction sheet 15 x 21 cm, four pages. An English instruction sheet, with no illustrations, was also distributed.

The kit can be assembled without painting, as the plastic is generally grey (main body) and white (pod and command module). All grey is also common. Variations include bright red, yellow and blue plastic.

Below: the model, constructed but unpainted, in various configurations. This is a 1980s non-motorised version with wheels (thanks to David Penn)