Before Thunderbirds there was Stingray, and before Stingray was- Fireball XL5! This Gerry and Sylvia Anderson series was filmed in black-and-white, and was first shown in the UK during 1962-3. Definitely my favourite TV programme at the time!
This plastic model of Fireball XL5 was made in Italy by Quercetti, and distributed by F.J Strauss ('Straco'). It was supplied with a catapult to launch it up to 200ft into the air. After it reached the zenith of its flight and started to descend, a lever would be moved by air resistance, opening a hatch in the fuselage and discharging a figure of Colonel Steve Zodiac complete with parachute. He would then float gently to the ground, as would the spaceship which had its own parachute.
That was the theory anyway; my friend had one of these and it rarely worked. The usual outcome was that both Steve and Fireball would plummet to the ground due to parachute failure, and we'd spend ages looking for them in the long grass.
This example is in poor condition, having lost its hatch, catapult and the rocket motor at the rear. There should also be a second 'Fireball Junior' nosecone with smaller fins, intended for use on windy days! Both parachutes and Steve Zodiac are missing as well; the figure and parachute supplied are not original and do not fit inside.
The decals have partly worn away and there are a few cracks from the inevitable crash landings. The box is repaired with tape at one end and the flaps are missing from the other. Price reflects condition!
Length: 290mm.
Approx Years: c.1963 -
Condition: Poor, packaging Poor
Shipping Weight: 190g
The old toys in this shop are offered as collectors' items only, and may not conform to modern toy safety standards.
