(Sorry, out of stock...SOLD for $145.00) 1981 "Columbia" Space Shuttle Launch Toy, by Processed Plastic Company. An INCREDIBLE FIND in The Pop Top Shop: a MINT CONDITION, UNOPENED, UNPLAYED "Shuttle Launch" toy in its original packaging, from close to 30 years ago!! This beautiful, historic toy is thought to be the FIRST major toy release based upon the newly-launched Space Shuttle "Columbia", the world's first working reusable spacecraft. Launched in April of 1981, "Columbia" performed many important missions for NASA until February of 2003 when she was lost in a horrific re-entry accident, burning up with her crew of seven brave souls. This phenomenal toy comes displayed within the packaging as on a launch pad and simulates an actual launch, with the assist of push-buttons which jettison the booster rockets and main rocket. The canopy opens too! This 16"-tall gem is resplendent in NASA markings, US Flags, and the "Columbia" name on the sides of the fuselage. Processed Plastic Company of Montgomery, Illinois was always one of Mr. Pop Top's favorites (as a child of the 60's) making many super-cool models/toys of passenger planes, jets, army men, playsets, cars, trucks and buildings for use in O-Gauge train layouts, etc. They always seemed to be on the the cutting edge of making toys that were interesting to kids, built well for play, but could also stand up as a display piece on a shelf. This Shuttle "Columbia" is one of their best efforts with its different button-operated functions. Make this a part of your collection...you will probably not find another one of these in this fine condition as they just begged to be "opened up and played with" back in those musty, dusty years of the early 1980's. This one is perfectly preserved, museum-quality...investment grade. Out of stock.