ORIGINAL BLAKE'S 7 MODELS AT SMALLSPACE

Some photos I took of the original model spacecraft, on display at Smallspace 7.

Orbit Shuttle seen in season four episode 11,Orbit. The shuttle is sent to transport Avon and Villa to the surface of the planet Malodar. They meet with Egrorian, a scientist who’s developed a powerful weapon called a Tachyon Funnel.  He says he wants to give Avon the weapon in exchange for super -computer, Orac, but Avon soon suspects a certain Supreme Commander is involved.

System Chase Craft seen in episode 1 of the second series.  Redemption. They attack and take control of The Liberator, escorting it to the’ Spaceworld’ space station, which is run by the servants of The System. It is revealed that the System complexes originally built The Liberator and refer to it as Deep Space Vehicle 2.

Andromedan scout craft seen in the episode, Star One.  The Scout Craft makes a very brief appearance in Star One. It carries the former Federation officer, Travis, who has turned traitor, and is helping Andromedan invaders take over the Terran Empire. Even though you’d never tell on screen, most Blake’s Seven fans now know that the model is made from two Morphy Richards hairdryers stuck together, with a few recognisable kit parts stuck on.

Atlay Shuttle seen in the episode, ’Voice from the Past. The model featured in a rather elaborate, if slightly wobbly landing sequence.

A Federation Pursuit ship seen in various episodes.

Blake’s Flyer seen in season four final episode Blake. These flyers are used by bounty hunters and gun runners on the planet of Gauda Prime. The model is missing its cockpit cover.

The Nova Queen first seen in the episode, Star One.  The ill-fated Nova Queen Space liner carried 4000 passengers and through a computer malfunction collided with an un-manned Ore Carrier killing everyone on board. The Federation suspect that the powerful Star One complex is at fault. Little do they know that Star One has been infiltrated by alien invaders.

A surviving Vac-Formed Federation Pursuit Ship used for special effects explosions.

Ore Carrier seen in the episode Star One. This is the un-manned Ore Carrier which collides with the Nova Queen Space liner.

Space-Master from the episode, Orac.  The Space Master series 5 carried two crew members, and was sabotaged by the Federation. One of the crew members was the son of Ensor, the creator of super computer Orac  

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Wanderer Class from the episode Killer. Blake’s tells Jenna that these ships were the first Earth ships to reach deep space, and is hundreds of years old. It has the designation K47, and had a three man crew.  It also carries a deadly plague.

One of two Escape Capsules ejected from the Space Master ship as seen in ‘Orac’.

ORIGINAL BLAKE'S 7 PROPS AT SMALLSPACE

Some more photos I took of original props used in the Blake’s 7 series on display at the recent Smallspace event.

Investigator Reeve’s bullet firing gun used on Virn, in the episode, Sand. Virn is a soulless planet covered in green sand where it never rains.  Electro- magnetic activity affects circuitry on the planet which means old-fashioned bullets are more reliable than ray-guns. Not that that helps Investigator Reeve much!

The titular ‘sand’ isn’t quite what it seems of course, which leads to a ‘romantic’ liaison between arch –enemies, Del Tarrant and Servalan.  Some of the dialogue between them is quite telling –

 “I’m just the girl next door, Tarrant” says an innocent looking Servalan.

 “If you were the girl next door I’d move”, Tarrant replies curtly.

“Where too, Tarrant?” , asks Servalan.

“Next door!”  Replies Tarrant.

An original ‘Liberator’ Teleport Bracelet.  As they are a relatively simple to make for the average modeller, and some of the parts are apparently still available if you can get hold of a copy of the BBC design drawing, consequently there’s no shortage of replica teleport bracelets in circulation so it’s nice to see an original.  Quite important equipment if you want to get back on board ship, but remarkably fragile.  Consequently, crew members lose them fairly frequently and space villains like to crush them.  

‘Liberator’ hand gun.  I think I prefer the unique design of the ‘Liberator’ Hand Gun over the more standard looking ‘Scorpio’ guns. 

Plenty of super replicas about of course, getting the Perspex parts right sort the men from the boys I imagine as you’d need to get them machined.  Note the ‘System’ Pain Gun in the background of the photo. Obviously a similar design as both weapons share the same technology.

I believe the handle is from an old Black & Decker electric drill.

Blake’s Gun from the final episode, Blake.  Blake uses his gun to fire three shots at a flyer in the episode, although for most of the time it tends to stay shoved into his belt. The episode has Blake in his guise as a Bounty Hunter on the planet of Gauda Prime, Blake  uses  a Federation gun for his capture of apparent fugitive, Arlen , and later uses Tarrant’s own gun when he appears to double cross him. But then everything is double crossed in the final episode.

An original Federation Guard Rifle (or should that be’Paragun’), with its removable magazine.  There was some wonderful pyrotechnics when they fired, although watching the series’ most Federation Troopers couldn’t hit a fish in a barrel with one of these things.  Unsurprisingly, this is another prop popular with modellers.

The Original Orac.   Orac is the highly sophisticated artificial intelligence wrapped up in a hotchpotch of flashing lights, bits of electrical circuit and Perpex.  

It apparently contains all the known knowledge there is, and can remotely access other computers. Like an oracle, from which it apparently takes its name, it can predict future events based on the information it has. Quite a handy gadget, but rather underwhelming in looks.  

To be fair a typical BBC Sci-Fi prop of the time, but nevertheless a popular character. Needless to say, a few brave souls have made replicas which always include the start- up key. Oh, yes Orac can also shrink itself.

 Baby Orac from the episode, ‘Gambit’.   Avon and Villa trick Orac into shrinking itself, so they can use its abilities to cheat the gambling computers in Freedom City, described by Servanlan as a ‘pestilential rathole’. 

There was no shortage of original helmets used in the series, but this one worn by Space Major Provine in the season 2 episode, Countdown caught my eye as it looks slightly different to the normal troopers helmets.  Provine doesn’t wear it too often, removing it at any opportunity,  as he desperately tries to leave the planet of Albion before a Federation radioactive  time bomb explodes and wipes out all life there. 

DEAGOSTINI MONOBRAKE

DeAgostini’s (Model Space) version of the Monobrake , International Rescue’s search and recovery vehicle.

The Monobrake is used in the episode, The Perils of Penelope to enter the Anderbad   Monorail Tunnel and search for the missing Lady Penelope and friend of International Rescue, Sir Jeremy Hodge.

The Monobrake is a low slung vehicle which allows Monorail trains to pass above it. It carries a telescopic arm which can extend and attach to the overhead monorail.  It is powered by a rear jet engine if suspended or a gas turbine on the ground.

The vehicle does make a couple of cameo appearances in the episodes, Cry Wolf and Security Hazard.

As usual I’ve given the  model a little light weathering  and as it’s an open cockpit I’ve done a tiny figure of Virgil at the controls (There’s not really enough room for Gordon as well)

DEAGOSTINI TRANSMITTER TRUCK

The Transmitter Truck by DeAgostini, based on the Thunderbird Pod vehicle seen in the episode, Sun Probe.

Like the Firefly seen on my previous DeAgostini post I’ve given the Transmitter Truck a little light dirtying down to take away its toy-like showroom look.  

In the episode it’s pretty much obscured by snow, but for obvious reasons I decided against giving it that look.

In the episode the truck uses its antenna dish to transmit a powerful radio beam from the high snowy peak of Mount Arkan, to fire the Sun Probe’s retro rockets which have jammed due to its close proximity of the Sun.  In a two pronged rescue mission Thunderbird 3 manages to get close enough with its own transmitter to save the Sun Probe. However,  because of the intense heat, the crew of Scott, Alan and Tin-Tin pass out before they can save themselves leaving the beam of the Earthbound Transmitter Truck to turn off TB 3’s transmitter and remotely fire the retro – rockets, and save the day.

According to a photo article the 1966 Thunderbirds TV21 Extra, the Transmitter Truck is called ‘The Jodrell 6, and a recent addition to the fleet.  Designed to aid space rescue, the Jodrell 6’s beam is directed to any distressed ship, and immediately takes over full control of the craft. Ground control  can then bring the stricken ship in to a safe landing.’

DEAGOSTINI FIREFLY

The Firefly, another one of the DeAgostini pod vehicles which comes with the 1/144 Thunderbird 2 build.

I have put a little light weathering on the model as it did look a bit too clean for the photos.

In the TV series it is used for fire fighting and debris clearing.

The protective shield at the front is made from Cahelium  Extract X ( according to the 1967 Thunderbirds Annual),  and has a view screen and a hole to allow an extendable heavy duty gun to fire nitro-glycerine shells used to snuff out fires.

The rear of the Firefly carries a gantry which raises and directs a high pressure jet of water. There is also a foam dispenser. 

The Firefly appears in the episodes, City of Fire, where it’s housed in Pod 3 along with the Mole. It briefly appears in Terror in New York City, this time using Pod 6. It also has a cameo appearance in Cry Wolf in the vehicle hangar on Tracy Island.

DEAGOSTINI HIGH SPEED ELEVATOR CARS

There can’t be many Thunderbirds fans that don’t get a nostalgic buzz when they see the high speed Elevator Cars from the premier episode, ‘Trapped in the Sky’.

I’m currently up to cars, one, two and three in my DeAgostini Thunderbird 2 build, with number four due to arrive with pack 10 in a few months’ time.

Like the Recovery Vehicles I talked about last time, my Elevator Cars will be getting some weathering at some point, but for now its plain old showroom condition.

I can still remember watching that first episode of Thunderbirds way back in 1965, and really liking the cool and intriguing design of the cars as they emerged from Pod 3.

The Master Elevator Car is driven by Virgil, while the others are radio controlled. As most of you will know, during the episode Car 3 develops a radio fault while the Fireflash airliner, with a bomb on board is on its first runway approach.  The car spins out of control and smashes into some nearby aircraft. Remarkably, the ever resourceful   Thunder-boys have a stand-by Elevator Car also the pod, although quite how four of these rather large vehicles fit inside always amazes me.

Virgil has a lucky escape when his Master Elevator Car applies maximum braking, bursts a tyre, and spins out of control, leaving the nose of Fireflash to drop precariously and scrape along the runway.