SIG ! Spectrum is green !

Not easy to find, this one ! (they made a Destiny Angel as well in the same collection) (the visor is not original) 

Captain Scarlet (Bendem), Pedigree, United Kingdom, 1967

The Charawheels Gerry Anderson collection - HotWheels

FAB 1, Mattel / Bandai, 2001, China

SPV, Mattel / Bandai, China, 2001

Stingray, Mattel / Bandai, China, 2001

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.

Read more about it here.

SPV (Spectrum Patrol Vehicle) out of package

The Angels

Angel Interceptor Jet Fighters, Vivid Imaginations,
1993, China

The Interceptor

Angel Interceptor, Airfix, United Kingdom, 1968 - 2014

Gerry Anderson's Portuguese STINGRAY submarine

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 !

No markings unfortunately...

Stingray, ?, Portugal, 1960's

Puppets with an attitude !

Captain Scarlet action figures, Vivid Imagination, China, 1993

Spectrum Patrol Car / SPC - Japanese blown plastic version...

Rato Roru / Patororu nº 110 / SPC, Takara Gangu, Japan, 1967

Header card art (front)

Header card art (back)

There is maybe one country where the Supermarionation craze went even more bezerk than in the U.K., and that is Japan. They loved Gerry Anderson's puppet shows, So much so that lots of toys were produced there. And this time not intended for export - but really for their internal market (maybe because they just could not compete with the Dinky Toys' line of diecast vehicles ?)

With Dinky counterpart for size

Was there ever a fin at th back ? 

This is how it was sold...

This is the voice of the Mysterons...

"Take a bath and don't forget the bubbles !"
"FAB, otherwise I won't let you in my SPV !"

Captain Scarlet Bubble bath container,
Euromark PLC, England, 1993

Puppets say farewell...

Gerry Anderson passed away today. He was the genius behind Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, UFO, Fireball XL5, Space 1999 and other iconic British TV Sci-Fi shows. RIP.

FAB 1 (detail), Imai Japan

TB5 (plastic), unknown, 1960's ?

Gerry with Parker and Lady Penelope

Flying carrier

Because landing in the air can be much more fun than landing at sea. At least, this is what the Angels told me. Do you know them all ? Rhapsody, Melody and Harmony, Symphony and Destiny Angel...

Spectrum logo on front

3 tiny Angel Jets ready to take off...

... and a control room high above the landing deck

In the Captain Scarlet series, this "flying fortress" was called Cloudbase. This is to my knowledge the only toy that was made of it when the show aired originally (except for some IMAI model kits). Later on toycompany Vivid Imagination got a go at it...

Cloudbase, Bandai, Japan, 1960's

Captain Scarlet Spectrum Persuit Vehicle (SPV), Dinky Toys, England,
1970's

This is the workhorse of Spectrum in their struggle with the Mysterons. Fast and all-terrain - the drivers are seated backwards so they can resist a frontal colision if it happens. One of the Nicest Dinky toys around - heavy but full of functions: the front flips open and fires a missile when you press on the suspension of the front wheels - caterpillars lift up and down at the back - and pressure the white button to see Captain Scarlet exit the tank.

Fireball XL5 Steve Zodiac and Venus

Space car with Steve Zodiac and Venus, MPC, USA,
1960's

This space / moon car is from one of the earlier Gerry Anderson SUPERMARIONATION series called Fireball XL5. Very popular serie even in the USA, there has been quite a large number of items produced for that market, from lunch boxes to really flying rockets.

Captain Scarlet Spectrum Patrol Car (SPC)

Same vehicle, same series (Gerry Anderson's Captain Scarlet) and 3 different makers from all over the world.

Notice how in Argentina they do not make any reference to the series... not willing to pay royalties, for sure...

SPC, Bandai (friction model), Japan,
1970's

Tornado 31, ?, Argentina,
1970's

SPC, Dinky Toys, Great Brittain,
1970's