The Women of SPACE PRECINCT 2040!

Officer Took & Officer Castle - Space Precinct 2040 - Vivid Imaginations 1994

Gerry Anderson was the puppeteering genius behind the classic sci-fi series' Thunderbirds, Stingray, and Terrahawks (to name a few).  Space Precinct 2040 was one of his last big endeavors but was unfortunately plagued with problems.  The show began airing in 1994 and was cancelled after its first season.  Space Precinct was created for both US and UK distribution but was unable to find a tone to satisfy both markets.  It seems that there was a lot of sub-par work, exaggerations about funding, and inappropriate timeslots adding to its early demise.  There was even a documentary about the behind-the-scenes antics produced last year titled Space Precinct Legacy.  It's really a shame because underneath all the drama, there was a cool premise for a show that could have been a hit.  The series focuses on an NYPD Officer Patrick Brogan who is sent (along with a handful of other human officers) to serve as an officer on the far away crime-riddled planet of Altor.  They serve with other alien officers and solve crimes committed by aliens and humans alike.  Simple, weird, and Entertaining.  Think NYPD Blue meets Farscape.


Although the series was short-lived, there were high hopes for its success and they quickly produced a great action figure line including twelve characters and two vehicles.

We'll start with the human of the two female figures:

Officer Jane Castle

Space Precinct 2040 - Vivid Imaginations 1994

I think these ladies are such a great example of 1990's action figures.  They're just retro enough to fit in with all the other Gerry Anderson action figures (which are modelled on puppets - but these Space Precinct toys are modelled after humans or humans with prosthetic faces).  My only issue with the figures are (1) The sticker decals all over the figures want to migrate like crazy.  I had the same issue with the Captain Scarlet figures (also from Vivid - they need to get some new glue!) and (2) the plastic of the torso seems to be different from the limbs and over time the torso part of the shirt has discolored on all my figures.  I've seen this on many eBay auctions, too.  Although I've also seen plenty of non-faded one as well.  If you're going to hunt these down, hold out for a non-faded one.

Officer Castle comes with an ID Card, a Riot Shield, and a Handgun.

 (back of the ID Card)

She features a classic 9 points of articulation: Knees, Hips, Shoulders, Elbows, and Neck.  They have solid construction bodies with no O-Ring waist articulation like we've come to expect on figures of this scale.

Next up is the Castle's Telepathic Tarn partner,

Officer Aurelia Took

Space Precinct 2040 - Vivid Imaginations 1994

I love the detail of the white braid on the back of her head.  I honestly never noticed it until I got this toy.

The bump on Took's forehead is actually her closed third eye - which ties in to her telepathic abilities.

See those stickers just dying to flutter down to her pants?  It's not that they're not sticky, they just don't bond with this particular plastic to well.  I need a glue stick stat!

Took comes with an ID Card, a Laptop Computer, and a Handgun.

Here are some images from the show.

Time for some Group and Comparison Shots!

From Left to right Stingray's Marina (1992), Terrahawks' Zelda & Kate Kestrel (1983), Captain Scarlet's Harmony Angel (1993), Space Precinct's Officer Took & Officer Castle (1994), Captain Scarlet's Destiny Angel (1993), Terrahawks' Mary Falconer (1983), and Thunderbirds' Lady Penelope (1994).

Cheers!