Including Gerry Anderson and other TV shows plus specials and novelties
357 Klingon Battle Cruiser
DINKY 357 KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER (1977-1981):
The Klingon Battle Cruiser was based on the D7-Class Battle Cruiser in the original Star Trek TV Series and later Star Trek films as a K’t’inga-class, which was very similar. The model was released to partner the 358 U.S.S. Enterprise which was captained by the Klingons’ arch nemesis Captain Kirk and there was even a picture of him and his first officer Spock on the front of the box.
Both ships were approximately the same size and both fired ‘photon torpedoes’, out of a frontal firing mechanism , imagined as white discs for the Klingon ship
The 357 Klingon Battle Cruiser and the 358 U.S.S. Enterprise
DINKY 357 KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER:
FEATURES:
The main play feature for this model was the firing torpedoes. The disc was inserted into the top of the front cabin and by flicking one of the small side wings it would be ejected at speed.
The accessory pack included with the model had 8 discs and additional decals.
TV SERIES:
In the Star Trek TV Series the D7 class battle cruiser was a 23rd century warship designed and used by the Klingon Imperial Fleet.
The bulk of the ships overall mass was incorporated in the aft section of the ship. The bridge was located on the bulbous head, which was separated from the aft section by a relatively thin neck that flared out into the wings. Jutting from below these wings were a pair of outboard warp nacelles. The ship’s impulse engines were located on the rear fin sections of the ship.
PROP v ACTUAL:
The model was reasonably in proportion to the prop but for some reason the front section was attached at a downward angle, giving the ship a stoop.
VARIATIONS:
The first models had more pointed rear wing tip and plain detailing on the white plastic underneath rear edging. Later models had a more rounded edge, probably for safety reasons as the sharp point would have been hazardous on a toy and even more so if the plastic underneath was chipped away. The moulding underneath was also modified to make enable a better fit and on the bevelled edge additional detail was added.
BOX TYPES:
There were two commercially released box types.
The first box was an all cardboard type and the second the hanging box type with a window. The first box type has two versions one with the back illustrated below and the other with the back used on the second box type.
The second box type:
Prior to the release of the first Star Trek Movie, ‘Star Trek – The Motion Picture’ in 1979, Dinky produced a sample box promoting the film which had cardboard cut out figures on the rear. It was never issued commercially.
There was a photographed model used in Dinky adverts, including Meccano Magazine which featured a Klingon Battle Cruiser with red underbody and engines. I can’t be sure but the red detailing looks hand painted, perhaps to enhance the photo.
Meccano Magazine Ad 1978
A sales pack of six boxes still wrapped in cellophane
CATALOGUES:
The Klingon Battle Cruiser made its first appearance in the 1977 trade catalogue with red engines and then strangely on a later page as artwork with blue/white engines.
Dinky 1977 UK trade catalogue
Dinky 1977 UK trade catalogue
Both Star Trek models featured on the front cover of the UK and US 1977 consumer catalogues but with different artwork.
Dinky 1977 US consumer catalogue front coverDinky 1977 UK consumer catalogue front cover
Dinky 1977 UK consumer catalogue
Dinky 1978 UK consumer catalogueDinky 1979 UK trade catalogue
A theory; Maybe if they had more closely duplicated the size and shape of the bulb underneath the bridge section, they wouldn’t have felt the need to angle the front section down so far? Still, overall, a much closer-to-accurate replica than the companion U.S.S. Enterprise.
Hi, I notice that you mention that there were no variations between models of the Dinky 357 Klingon Battle Cruiser but I have found that some have rounded ends to the rear wing tips but others have pointed ends. I wonder if the later ones were rounded due to the tendency of the plastic engines to break off rendering the point into a potential causer of injury. After all the Corgi Buck Rogers starfighter was fitted with a frontal bar to attenuate the two prongs the “actual” fighter had.
Thanks very much for this information and you are quite right and something I hadn’t noticed before. Researching this further I think the pointed wing tips were on the first models released and then corrected to avoid the 357 causing grievous bodily harm to small children! The white plastic underneath was also remodelled to make a better fit for the new shape. I’ll post some pics shortly. Cheers Kevin
Dinky Toys: TV Shows, Space and Specials 
A theory; Maybe if they had more closely duplicated the size and shape of the bulb underneath the bridge section, they wouldn’t have felt the need to angle the front section down so far? Still, overall, a much closer-to-accurate replica than the companion U.S.S. Enterprise.
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Hi, I notice that you mention that there were no variations between models of the Dinky 357 Klingon Battle Cruiser but I have found that some have rounded ends to the rear wing tips but others have pointed ends. I wonder if the later ones were rounded due to the tendency of the plastic engines to break off rendering the point into a potential causer of injury. After all the Corgi Buck Rogers starfighter was fitted with a frontal bar to attenuate the two prongs the “actual” fighter had.
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Thanks very much for this information and you are quite right and something I hadn’t noticed before. Researching this further I think the pointed wing tips were on the first models released and then corrected to avoid the 357 causing grievous bodily harm to small children! The white plastic underneath was also remodelled to make a better fit for the new shape. I’ll post some pics shortly. Cheers Kevin
LikeLike