Issued 1962    Length 122mm

 

Among several TV related models which Budgie produced was the Supercar from the puppet Series of the same name starring Mike Mercury. The vehicle on which the model was based was a form of hovercar which ran on a cushion of air but was also a jet-propelled VTO (vertical take-off and land) aircraft with extending wings.

 

No.272 Supercar was cast in two main sections with a large base unit. The upper body casting was quite detailed with two large fins at the back and the seat where Mike Mercury, the pilot, was fixed. He was a grey plastic figure with painted face and black hair. He sat inside a clear plastic canopy which was permanently attached to the upper casting. Just behind the canopy was a short grey plastic aerial.

 

The lower body of the Supercar had engine air-intakes on each side and just behind them two retractable wings. These were always coloured to match the upper part of the model. Unfortunately the paint on the wings of almost every model became scratched on the top surface as soon as they were pulled out because of the tight design so truely mint models of the Supercar are probably either unknown or impossible to verify without pulling out the wings which then causes them to be damaged! 

 

At the front of the model a grey plastic aerial was attached. This had a large plastic base which was inserted into a rectangular slot at the front of the lower section of the model. Being positioned at the front, the aerial is prone to damage in the box and so is often missing or bent.

 

Underneath, there was a large silver base which ran the length of the vehicle and held it together with four rivets. Being a very sleek model, Budgie designed the Supercar to move smoothly so set three little silver plastic wheels in the base, two at the rear and one at the front. The lettering reads 'A Budgie Model No.272' and at the rear a small 'Made in England'. Down the centre was a long black 'SUPERCAR' decal in vertical format.

 

The Supercar came in two colour variations. The first issue had a red upper body and a silver lower section with red wings. On each side of the lower body near the front were 'Supercar' decals in red. The second variation had the body colours reversed with a silver upper section and red lower body with silver wings and white decals. 

 

The box for the Supercar was just one type with the maker's ID as 'Budgie Models' (B1). It also carried the copyright logo of the Mike Mercury TV Series which was produced using a 'Supermaronation' system. 

 

Finding the Supercar is quite hard but both colour variations are equally available. However, undamaged models with aerials in place and minimum damage to the wings are rare and will usually fetch a premium.