Size
Length
Width (wings out)
Height
16.2 cm
11.8 cm
5.6 cm
6 3/8 in
4 5/8 in
2 3/16 in
Features
Variable-geometry wings
Cockpit hinges open
Friction drive
The Nova III is a simplified version of one of the designs for a Thunderbird 6 craft proposed by Brains in the movie of the same name. This movie was first released in July 1968 in the UK, followed by dates later in the year and into early 1969 for the rest of the world.* This provides us with a clue for dating the Nova series, and to my mind makes it rather unlikely that the Nova series was produced before the Spacex range was introduced in January 1969.
*: See entry in the IMDB. (opens in new window)