These models were obviously made for the Japanese market only as seen by the packaging. But these are awesome ! Much better proportions than anything Matchbox did (their FAB one is much to short and square). It is a pitty they did not sell these in Europe, except for parrallel imports from specialized shops.
These vehicles came out with a number of other completely Japanese Super Hero vehicles under the Charawheels collection.
Before the Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet, this show helped get the puppeteers of Supermarionation team / Gerry Anderson up to level with the different techniques needed in their art. Read more about it here.
Portugal did not make a lot of Sci-Fi based toys, but this one is a rare exception. It is listed in the book "O Brinquedo em Portugal" from Carlos Anjos and João Arbués Moreira (see bibliography) in the section of 1961/1970 toys - as "Carro Espacial - desconhecido" (Space Car - maker unknown). It is 22cm long and came in different color schemes (some with the top "cockpit" part in a different color of plastic - some with the torpedo tubes painted red instead of black etc.)
Was it a copy of another existing toy ? If you have some information on this please let me know.
A big thank you to the fellow toy-collector who helped me get this one into my collection !
