Monday, 31 December 2018

ORIGINAL BLAKE'S 7 SPACECRAFT PROPS REVISITED

Before the year closes, here's another look at the original spacecraft props that were on display at this year's Smallspace 7. I know the original post proved popular with Blake's 7 fans , and I should say many thanks to Andy Spencer, Phil Stevens, Gary Holland, Mat Irvine,  Paul Fitzmaurice, Mike Tucker, Andrew Hopkinson and 'Clanger Too' AKA Karyn who put together this excellent display to celebrate Blake's 40th anniversary . They were all good, but if I had to chose a favourite it would have to be this original Federation Pursuit ship seen in various episodes.




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.



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  .

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’.

5 comments:

  1. As always, amazing photos and comments Mike, thank you so much for taking and posting them. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to represent the shows 40th Anniversary. However I must point out I was only but one cog in a larger wheel who put this exhibition together. Myself along with Phil Stevens, Gary Holland, Mat Irvine, Mike Tucker, Andy Hopkinson and my much better half Karyn toiled to put the best representation possible, we were rather pleased with it, and from the lovely feedback we received, so were a few others.

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    1. Thanks for the name checks Andy, well done everyone. Here's to next year, eh! :)

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    2. Thank you Mike, next year sounds good, not that far away now either! :)

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  2. All great posts Scoop- I realise, looking at the "hairdryer" space ship, that the two horseshoe shaped bits underneath are probably display bases for Airfix model aircraft!

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