Long-time readers of the blog may
recall that I’ve featured this particular toy before -- on November 24, 2005 and July 11, 2012 --- but sometimes, you have to return to your “greatest
hits” and just hope people will be patient with your idiosyncrasies.
And
this Mattel Eagle 1 Spaceship (1976) remains my all-time favorite toy, hands-down. So today seemed like a good time to highlight
again, especially for newer readers. I’ll
probably feature it again in another seven years, so be warned.
In
part, I favor this 1970s Mattel toy because it comes from my all-time favorite
science fiction TV series, Space: 1999 (1975 – 1977). But in
part it is also because the toy is downright colossal: over 2.5 feet long, as the box trumpets.
Beyond
these values, the Mattel Eagle also comes apart into a smaller ship, a
combination of the command and engine modules.
This aspect of the toy seems very realistic to the series (or “show
accurate,” to use collecting lingo) and the modular design of the Eagle (from SPFX
maestro Brian Johnson). The separated
command module resembles some of the incarnations we saw of the Eagles in
episodes such as “Missing Link” and “Dragon’s Domain.”
The
box for this toy noted: “It’s a space
vehicle. It’s a headquarters and living
quarters on Moon Base Alpha! With three 3” characters.”
In
the latter case, that means that this Mattel toy came complete with three intrepid
Alphans: Commander Koenig (Martin Landau), Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain) and
Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse).
As
a kid, I remember being deeply disappointed that there was no Alan Carter
action figure, especially since he was the character most commonly seen
piloting the craft on the series.
Anyway, the figures featured the show’s trademark orange space suits, as
well as removable helmets and back/chest packs.
Again
this just perfect for pretend play: the Alphans could walk in space, or take
their helmets off for planetary action.
Just don’t tell the Prometheus nitpickers I took off
their helmets in dangerous situations, okay?
On
the nose section of the Eagle, the “module
hatch” would open and hold two action figures. Inside the “carrier” section was the
passenger section, replete with computer decals, “weapons rack” and “space
crane.” The weapons rack held four stun
guns and one laser rifle. “Both side
panels” of the carrier would slide open, allowing you access to the
interior sections.
I
was given this really awesome toy shortly before my sixth birthday, in 1976, by
my Mom and Dad. I remember that I was
sort of depressed because my older sister didn’t want to play with me on a
Saturday and I had nothing to do. My Mom
noticed I was down in the dumps. So she led
me into my parents’ bedroom and told me to look underneath the bed. I did, and there was Eagle 1, ready for
action! The surprise gift made my day…and
I’ve never forgotten it, or my Mother’s kindness. She was always doing things like that for me (and
still does, for my son Joel, to this day.)
Then,
as my real birthday approached, my Mom and Dad took me aside and told me that
my Uncle Glenn, who recently passed away, had also bought me an Eagle One toy. They asked me if I wanted a second one, or
something different.
Well,
of course I wanted a second one. The
only thing better than having Eagle One was having an Eagle fleet!
That
Christmas season, both Mattel Eagles went to forest planets (my backyard), ice
planets (on snow days) and other dangerous environments. I recruited the giant squid from G.I. Joe’s
Sea Wolf submarine to serve as the tentacle monster from “Dragon’s Domain.”
Even
after Space: 1999 disappeared from the pop culture horizon and Star
Wars (1977) took its place, I kept and cherished and played with my
Eagles.
For
years, I’ve kept and cared for these ships. The one you see pictured is in relatively good
condition. Inside the box is the one I
really played with, and which is…battle
damaged, let’s just say. I do worry
about my “good” Eagle simply because it is getting really old. In less than four years, it will be a
forty-year old toy, which I find virtually impossible to believe.
Anyway,
if you look closely, you can detect yellow glue lines on the toy, apparently
from manufacture, at all the seams.
These lines are becoming more pronounced over time. The hull is also yellowing in spots (the
dorsal lattice, particularly…).
That’s
okay, though. I’m keeping this toy in my home office until I die. And then I’m leaving instructions to my son that
it should be buried with me (along with the box).
Unless, of course, he wants it, in which case I’ll be happy to pass it on.
Unless, of course, he wants it, in which case I’ll be happy to pass it on.
John I still have the Mattel Eagle that I got as a boy in '76 too. It is stored in it's original box and holds many boyhood memories as does your two Mattel Eagles.
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This was one of my favorite toys growing up. Brings back many happy memories seeing these pictures. Thanks John!
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