Star Bird
1978 - 1981
Milton Bradley
Star Bird was Milton Bradley's answer to Star Wars, Space 1999, Star Trek, and all the other far more popular movie and television based franchise toys of the era. “Fire your photon beams and hit the alien spaceship. Hear distress signals and sputtering engine sounds!” That was the shtick the back of the box promoted, and in short meant that if you had two ships, they could do battle against each other with space themed lights and sounds. Score enough points, and your ship will declare victory through another unique sound.
Micro sensors built into the Star Bird space craft were able to sense if you were raising the ship upwards, lowering it, or leveling off, all while providing accompanying sound effects. It was quite high tech for its time, especially as a kid's toy. Not only did it include laser firing sounds, but if your craft took enough damage from another, distress signals and power down sound effects would occur.
Though it assembled as a giant spacecraft, several smaller ships, including and escape pod, and interceptor fighters, were attached to the hull. The Star Bird itself could also be transfigured into a smaller fighter.
A second ship, the Star Bird Avenger was essentially the same ship as noted above, but with different bird like decals. It too contained all the features as the original craft.
You've probably noticed that each vehicle was released in two different boxes. This was most likely just a result of the line being popular enough to warrant a multiple year run, and boxes were just updated as time went by. Additionally, you may have notice the word "Space" being added before the vehicle's name as well. Again, this was most likely just a product of time, and the revisions to packaging that came with it.
The Intruder was released as the enemy vehicle to do battle against your Star Bird. It too featured lights and sounder. Packed in with it was a, "special target", a 3D satellite looking box made of cardboard.
Speaking of cardboard, the Command Base was the final piece released in the line. Though massive when put together, the main construction of the playset was, as you probably guessed, cardboard. However, it did feature some plastic parts, such as a crane, transport vehicle, and mini figures.
Much like the crafts, the base too was released in alternate packaging throughout the lifespan of the line.
It's difficult to pinpoint a price point for these toys on secondary markets because they're all over the place. One day, a complete in box / working ship (or playset) will sell for under twenty dollars, the next, close to two hundred. No one piece seems to be any rare than the other, so putting this line together shouldn't be too much trouble, if that's what you're interested in doing.
Overall, this is a pretty cool line. The technology for its time was mind blowing for kids, and they provided hours of interactive fun. It's a line I definitely recommend to vintage collectors.
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