David Sisson Models Video 3: Eagle 1 Filming Miniature.

Taking a new look at the first 44-inch Eagle Transporter filming model built for the Gerry Anderson television series Space:1999. This is an improved version of a video I made many years ago, and it is also a bit of a final goodbye to this model that I have cherished for 20 years. (UPDATE - This model was sold at auction in November 2021 and I sadly no longer have it!)

[@deemagico]

still remember when i was kid in 70´s ..... also the LEGO came out, and as kid i was often build.... this eagle space ship. Still iconic for me.... thx for memorys.

[@CrusaderSports250]

Always liked the eagles authentic and practical look, somewhere I still have my Airfix eagle in all its glory.

[@Kit_The_Fist]

Hi David, a few years ago you made my absolute childhood dream come true when you let me have a really good look, we were at a small show where you brought this with you, when you let me pick it up I was utterly gobsmacked, never forget that....Every Saturday morning without fail I watched Space1999. Not that long ago I had an office at Pinewood and always walked passed L & M stage where they filmed some scenes aswell as Bray Studios. Fairly recently I even had a hand in Props on a sci-fi TV series building an escape pod. Magic stuff

[@Spaceman042]

Hi Kit, Glad you enjoyed the experience, it’s always special to see the actual props that appeared on screen, especially when they are from a favourite to series. Sadly I had to sell Eagle 1 last year in order to buy a house so this video was really me saying goodbye to it. Cheers

[@eugenenolan3040]

What a brilliant model and what a nice guy.

[@basildon5263]

I like the fluffy quality control supervisor at the end.

[@Spaceman042]

She’s the Boss!

[@markridgeway128]

Nice video David, good walk around of the Eagle.

[@tankndg26]

I’m such a fan of Space 1999, can’t get enough! Great video

[@billhenderson511]

I'm so glad that historic model is in such great hands! She looks beautiful 😍

[@geebee2276]

Much appreciated David. I am a big fan of the show and after all this time, it’s great to see the finer details of simply the best looking spacecraft ever designed. Brian Johnson, Nick Alder and the team were so skilled to be able to produce something of this quality. This is legendary and it’s comforting to know that this particular model has ended up with a rightful and proud owner. Thank you for posting this.

[@Spaceman042]

Thanks and I am glad that you enjoyed the video, however after 20 years of ownership the model was sold at a Propstore auction late last year to help finance a house purchase. So far the new owner has not announced his or her purchase so we don’t know where it has gone?

[@darrenpeters4647]

Awesome video David, great photo's, as always thank you for sharing !! :-)

[@willmfrank]

Gotta love that "This Episode" intertitle It adds a little bonus hat tip to the original series.

[@christoph404]

good memories from watching this as a 13 year old when it was first broadcast, it was quite ground breaking and advanced , a TV version of 2001, nothing like it on TV at that time and it still stands up today, all shot on 35mm film with in camera practical effects, no artificial looking Cgi in those days, I loved the shots made "outside" the Moonbase involving the Eagle, I think my favourite character was Aussie Eagle pilot Alan Carter, he could be relied upon to save the day with his brilliant pilot skills! I did have the Airfix kit, it was maybe about 9 inches long if memory serves me, I built that kit up and spent a lot of time making it look real, well like the one in the TV show I mean!!!, adding lots of surface wear and detail and making it look a bit dirtier than the clean white plastic that the kit was made of.! Thanks for posting this, really fascinating insight into the actual model used!!

[@carstenkoloc5226]

I still love this fiction flick.What I would have gave for an Eagle scale in my childhood? Memorys come over me. Thank you very much for these video-clip. 😂😂😜👍🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🚀🛸

[@aguage99]

David, I congratulate you on your beautiful collection and original models. Your video is really comprehensive and informative. Never seen an eagle in such detail. I love Space: 1999 (specially the first season) since 1976 and the eagles are truly iconic. Kudos to Brian Johnson and you. Your spacesuit is to be envied and really impressive. Well done! Greetings from Italy.

[@SharpblueCreative]

I remember your original video from years ago. Good to see this version. I will look forward to viewing your other content.

[@hjoe90]

Thanks David another fantastic video 👍🏽

[@pastorrich7436]

Thank you David for the guided tour of the Eagle Transporter. It appears to be in good hands to press on into the second quarter of the 21st century!

[@jimsmalleimb7709]

VERY well done video!

[@williamwelch7]

Thank you so much! I still have the die-cast metal toy version of this, in all it's neon green glory :)

[@chriskaniecki8409]

Thank you so much for the new high quality version. It's not every day you can get up and personal with an actual studio prop. I absolutely love the Eagle design. It just seems like it would really work. I love the modular utilitarian design, it just looks like it's built to get a job done. Thanks again, to me this was real star of the show.

[@nelsonc6173]

That is one awesome Eagle!!!!!!! The detail is amazing on this original prop! It must be an awesome prop to own! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@harvey1965]

Marvellous! Thank you for sharing one of the most special things any person could own on this planet!

[@31xrg]

I’m amazed at the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the model makers. Thanks for the video!!

[@ripwreckraceway]

Im a new sub lovin it bro FAB! i did a folk art version of the eagle your are beyond amazing groovtastic bro

[@UxbridgeDalek]

Thank you so much for bothering not only to share this beautiful model with us all but for doing so in such detail. I'm nowhere near your standard but I'm doing a replica of my own and the amount of detail you show will really help.

[@DCGibson]

Absolutely spectacular craftsmanship! Thank you for keeping this magnificent piece in such amazing condition!

[@ErwanCorre]

Merci pour ce beau travail et pour le partage de votre passion ! 😊

[@jwenneberg]

Thank you for this video. It is somehow difficult to put words on the inner feeling when seeing this model. My pulse is rising... maybe some kind of falling in love :-) I also prefer by far the first 44" Eagle One. Its details just pleases me better than the latter two. To tribute it I am in progress of doing kind of replica of it (as close as I can manage), but in 25' of size.

[@julianmizzi1295]

Thanks for sharing images of your wonderful collection.

[@zardozspeakstoyou5625]

Thanks so much for this, David. Still my favorite show (Year 1) after all these years! Love the spacesuit. Jealous, actually.

[@jean-jacquescortes9500]

I saw the first episode in 1975. Fan of Space 1999 since this day. Yes, the eagle is the best Space ship of sci-fi.

[@ToddsCornerScifiPropsShips]

Nicely done David.

[@GatchamanG4]

Thank you so so much for making this video.

[@eagletransporter1999]

Excellent !! Thank you David !

[@allgood6760]

Awesome mate.. I have that Space 1999 annual 👍🇳🇿

[@carstenkoloc5226]

GREAT !!! Greetings from Braunschweig-Germony.

[@leokimvideo]

As priceless and iconic as Paul McCartney's Hofner Bass that has the playlist on the side. Curious it was restored and changed. In the hard core high end collectors realm that can be seen as a no no. Thank God she's in good hands.

[@Spaceman042]

The model was painted many times during its life, numerous times during the filming and then afterwards. At the time, around 1979, the model wasn’t considered very valuable and was simply an old prop that wasn’t required anymore! Many 1999 models and props were given a paint for their appearance in a big public display, by people who simply didn’t care about it being authentic to filmed condition. This model sold at auction in November 2021, the new owner is unknown.

[@robert-brydson-1]

wonderful new video !

[@rockwellmediadundee]

Wow,fantastic update to your original video,thanks David

[@syrophenikan]

Fantastic!!! Well done!

[@steverileyretired]

Looks a lovely machine

[@thebritishengineer8027]

Thank you Sir especially for the ruler on the pods underside, as I intend to make the difinitive 3D modeled Eagle including interior/crew. Although I may have to prove actual dimensions by printing one out at 43".

[@leslieride5813]

Met the former owner of this wonderful Original Eagle Model(The First of Three) David Sisson at the Small space event two weeks ago. Ive known David many years and he is a top bloke sadly the Eagle no longer resides on these shores it was Auctioned off to a Private Collector overseas i know not where ? and nor does David.

[@avebeno]

Thank you! That was fun!

[@brianmontgomery1619]

Thanks for sharing.

[@eugenenolan3040]

Just love the Eagle.

[@50somethingbloke19]

Thanks for sharing that. Very informative.

[@MrChefdouglas]

LOVE IT FROM NEWFOUNDLAND CANADA CHEERS

[@Spaceman042]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed the video. Sadly after 20 years of ownership I have had to part with it and am now working on a replica model. No idea who has it now but I am sure it will appear again at some point.

[@destinyangel5]

David this is great coverage, a very important space craft that inspired Lucas and today still creates lots of interest . Most probably the clever and attractive design, it just makes sense and the believable functional physics on how it was filmed. David what I noticed was the spring loaded undercarriage/feet on the four external pods seem to be recessed under each of the four pods , was this original 44" studio hero meant to be so the landing gear can also retract into these Pods ? as the outline is the exact dimensions of the landing pads/feet? and the volume of the pod could hold a retractable landing pad . Maybe Gerry Anderson though about terrestrial capable Eagles in the original space 1999 concepts with some terrestrial flying capabilities so therefore to reduce drag the model was able to retract its landing gear ? is there any info on this ?

[@Spaceman042]

Hi, Gerry Anderson left the design of the models to SFX Director Brian Johnson who created the Eagle. The bottom of the shoulder pods were recessed shaped to match the shape of the footpads in the original pencil designs, and it was obviously a passing thought/wishful thinking that the footpads might possibly retract when built. However in reality once built there was never any attempt to have retracting feet for various reasons, firstly it would require additional larger scale model close-up sections to show the legs retracting to inform the viewers of what was going on and you have to have additional shots in every episode of legs going up and down, and a big problem would be continuity problems when the editors put the episodes together with Eagles having legs up or down in each shot! As a clear example of this watch any episode of the class TV show ‘Airwolf’ where the helicopter has all its guns in and out in most action sequences! The main reason, apart from creating more work and the continuity headache for the SFX team, is that Brian didn’t actually like the look of the Eagle with the feet retracted, it looked far less interesting and I fully agree with that viewpoint. There are a number of vehicle designs that just look so much better with the undercarriage extended. The original model was built with legs that could be removed but the footpads used on the second series would not actually fit in the recessed cutout, they look a similar shape but aren’t a match.

[@MrMichelPM]

Thank You very much for posting this video. HUUGE fan of the Eagle spacecraft. HUUUUGE! The design and build quality of this original filming model is outstanding and reflects the work of master model makers. This was a very well detailed video of this exceptional model. Are you the one selling this at auction in a week or two? Shame you have to sell this incredible model. This is a great piece of SF history to just have to auction/sell, now. I hope you got your enjoyment from this. The details on this Eagle are on par with the amount of details that were part of all of the UFO series models! I have to settle for a two-foot replica of the Rescue/Medical Eagle that lacks a lot of the details seen in this four foot original filming model. One of the thngs that makes the Eagle believable to me is its practical and utilitarian design, believable, NASA-like design aesthetic and all of the small, believable details that give this model and its design a strong believability/suspension of belief and gravitas as a spacecraft design that really could exist, today, in the real world. My love of the Eagle and to a lesser extent, all of the models from UFO, are closer to real, in my minds eye, than any other of SF spacecraft/spaceship models past or present. The entire design of the Eagle still stands the test of time, today in 2021. Thank You VERY much for sharing this model video with the rest of the SF fandom and modelers communities and others watching from around the world. I love your collection and LUV your Alpha spacesuit!

[@Spaceman042]

Glad that you enjoyed the video. I am sadly selling this beauty after 20 enjoyable years of ownership and this video was basically my final goodbye to the model. I hope that whoever buys it enjoys it as much as I did. Luckily all the main Eagle miniatures from the series still exist today and are cared for by various fans around the world. As much as I loved the Eagle model, my favourite model of all time, I do feel more connected to the spacesuit! Probably because I love spacesuits, I can actually wear it which is really fun, and because I can’t make a replica of it like I can do with the Eagle.

[@bcostell69]

Brilliant stuff, was there ever detailed plans released of the studio scale 44” eagle

[@ripwreckraceway]

that show would have been bigger than star trek had they done it right ! the writers more over the actors they had a better vision of the show then the newer writer back them im just saying :D

[@Dirty_Hamble]

Only 11 crash landings? It felt like the poor thing bit the Moon dust every week! 🚀💥

[@jonhart7630]

When I was a kid growing up in the late 70s, it was my ambition to be an Eagle Transport pilot. That didn't quite work out..

[@ickleshouse]

dude , so totally subd, nice to see a uk fan !!! Did you ever lend it to the Museum in Portsmouth ?

[@Helderhugo]

Amazing!

[@draklithsDen]

Spring loaded landing gear...it's everything, lol

[@litoboy5]

Amazing

[@HalfassDIY]

💥💥💥

[@JasonAdank]

Hi David, I wanted to ask you a question about the detail markings. Watching this video, and also having looked at the still images that were on The Prop Store during the auction, I notice that many of the markings are very different than what appears to be on the filming prop during the Breakaway pilot, and the first few episodes (up to 11 I think) of season 1. Some of the shotsi nn the show are closeups so Im asuming theyre Eagle 1, ie the first 44" model. Do you know what the current markings as seen here are based on? Is the detailing a reflection of perhaps its final uses during season 2, or are these markings purely artistic judgement and have no reference to what was seen on the show?

[@Spaceman042]

Hi Jason, Space 1999 was filmed over a three year period during which time the models were repaired and repainted numerous times. The weathering and markings changed multiple times and you really just need to view the episodes and pick the one you liked best if you want to copy it for your own replica build. Eagle one was used the most and abused the most so was often repainted, in fact it had a near pristine white finish in the last episode. Originally for the first episode it was just dirtied down with a general black wash and pencil lines. They then added letraset and panel colours starting with a subtle very light blue which didn’t show up too easily so they then went with more grey panels. The model was refurbished between seasons and physical alterations made and new detailing. When I got the model it had been repainted and detailed in the 1980s and was falling apart, so it was stripped and repaired. 43 Original panel details and various lines were uncovered and incorporated into the new paint work, which was based on mid to later season one finish. All new drawn on panel lines were matched to those uncovered. The biggest original paint area (after the undercarriage) is the door with the filled hole in the centre, the raised centre area is all original and the grey panels to the right and other small details on the pod side including Alpha decal on left are original year 1, much of which had been covered over in year two. You could probably write a small book on Eagle 1’s various paint/detailing finishes during the show! As I said most modellers simply pick their favourite or pick and choose from various moments in the series. Cheers

[@JasonAdank]

@@Spaceman042 HI David, wow thats a fascinating summary! I think a lot of your channels subs would love a video on this :D Including me!! Im a 3D Artist, and Im making an eagle transporter for a possible set of fan animations (a spare time hobby). Right now, Im in the texturing process and Im using your video, and also the images that were at the prop store as my primary reference material because the images are high resolution and very sharp. I just happened to be watching some of the earlier episodes of season 1 and I couldnt match up the panels and misc colors compared to what I see on the bluray. But I suspected as much about the repainting and ever changing details. Thought Id ask anyways just to find out what your main reference source was. Im sorry you had to put the model up for auction, but thank you so much for this video, and also your response! Best wishes, Jason

[@huntercressall9728]

What lunatic downrated this gem of a video? I see five very unhappy persons who must have downrated this vid from sheer impotent, jealous rage. The very idea...

[@andrealovato3331]

👍👏👏👏

[@unitruth]

Where do the pod stairs come from?

[@JJWhitley]

Luckiest guy in the world to own that. Wow.

[@orkunaldemir1257]

Please dont use zoom in/out and slade effects in videos, thanks.

[@VectorOfKnowledge]

Awesome! Send it my way. It doesn't seem to be bringing you much enjoyment.

[@Spaceman042]

It has brought me a lot of enjoyment over the last 20 years, and now it is bringing even more as I sold it last year via the Propstore and used the money to help buy a nice house which I am currently renovating. Just got find time to finish building a replica of it now.

[@VectorOfKnowledge]

@@Spaceman042 ;)

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

​@Spaceman042 >>> 👍👍