Scorpio E-X-1

from "It's About Time" (1966-67)

Scale: 1:48
Initial Release: 2023
Medium: Resin
Height: ​3.5 inches
Kit Rarity: 2

About the Design

The Scorpio E-X-1 was a full-sized prop/mockup featured in the short-lived American time travel comedy "It's About Time" which aired 26 episodes on CBS during the 1966-1967 TV season. Created by Sherwood Schwartz, the series was essentially "Gilligan's Island" in the Stone Age, focusing on two hapless American astronauts being marooned in the ancient past after their two-man spacecraft accidentally flies "faster than the speed of light." (Don't you hate when that happens?) 

Clearly based on America's Mercury capsule, the spaceship prop was originally created for the "Gilligan's Island" Season 2 episode "Nyet, Nyet, Not Yet," which had two errant Russian astronauts land on the titular tropical isle. For "It's About Time," the cost-conscious Mr. Schwartz simply painted the original orange mockup blue, slapped on four rocket engines and -- voila! -- the Scorpio E-X-1 was born!

When "It's About Time" crashed and burned after one season, Schwartz hauled the expensive prop out again for a Season 3 episode of "Gilligan's Island," this one featuring two errant American astronauts. (Damn, that island was popular.) The lesson: In network TV, never let a good prop -- or a good plotline -- go to waste.

About the Kit

This 1:48 Scorpio E-X-1 was released by Fantastic Plastic in December 2023. In addition to offering decals for both the American and Russian versions of the craft, the kit included an interior consisting of two 1960s-style chairs and control consoles based on the "It's About Time" interior set.

This model was built from an original issue.