Bugging Around

News - and images! - of the Starbug playset from Product Enterprise.

19 March, 2004

Great news for those who have long wanted to get their hands on a Starbug of their very own. Product Enterprise's playset is approaching full production. Reddwarf.co.uk spoke to Steve Walker recently when he presented us with the first full mock-up. "All things being equal, we are hoping to have the Starbug playset available October."

The Bug as pictured is still subject to some further changes (this is not the final paint job, for example), but things are proceeding incredibly well - especially in terms of how accurate the 'toy' is to the TV show version. "We are really pleased with the development of the Starbug playset. Although a toy, we have been striving all along to produce as faithful a replica of the studio model as possible. With all the constraints of manufacturing, I think we've done pretty well."

Also remarkable are the figures (not currently pictured) of Rimmer, Lister, Cat and Kryten) that will come with the playset to the scale of the 'Bug interior. The impressive detail job means that Chris, Craig, Danny and Robert have all been faithfully - and not a little eerily - recreated.

This devotion to accuracy carries all the way through to the packaging. "We wanted everything about this toy to be special, so we have carried the same attention to detail into the packaging design. Rather than your standard, bland box, we have created an 'environment' featuring Starbug's hanger aboard Red Dwarf. While meeting all ordinary packaging requirements, it also shows off the toy to great effect."

It's going to be a long wait until October, that's for sure - but it'll be worth it. For those who can't stand to wait until then, a teaser 'making of' is available on the Series III DVD as an Easter Egg. If you've yet to find it, check out the Egg section of our FAQ.

You can visit the Product Enterprise website via Wormholes.