Alien models

Concept "doodle" sketch of the refinery platform done by Martin Bower during construction of the model.

One of the refinery towers during alterations asked for by Ridley Scott. The 4 top "cotton reel" shapes were actually additional fibreglass castings taken from the mould made for the large landing leg model!

Close-up of the refinery while it was still in its "Gothic Spire" stage

EMA plastic box section and perspex sheet were used for the basic construction of the Refinery Platform towers. Martin is seen here beginning detailing.

The final version of the Refinery with all the spires removed.

The first version of the Refinery Platform with all its Gothic spires - before Ridley Scott attacked it with a hammer and chisel!

Following a one-to one meeting with Ridley Scott, where the Director demonstrated how he wanted a piece of machinery like a giant hand to push the Nostromo clear of the Platform, Martin Bower did this sketch from which the final design evolved.

The Nostromo clamp arm which was built in scale with the large 8ft model. It extended approx 20feet outwards. The shot where Nostromo is seen being pushed away from the Refinery by the arm was achieved by having the Nostromo attached to a fork-lift truck. The truck then drove away parallel from the platform pulling the arm (with the Nostromo attached to it) out as it did so.

Following a visit to Shepperton Studios to photograph the full-size back half of the shuttle craft which had been built for the final sequence, Martin Bower did this side elevation sketch of the “Narcissus” on which he based his final perspex master model. Artist Ron Cobb had done a rear view concept drawing, but no one had a clear idea of how the front half of the craft looked! This sketch also shows Martin’s design “doodle” for the release clamp that lowers “Narcissus” from the Nostromo.

The Narcissus in its completed “garage”. The garage had many working parts but very few made it into the final film.

The early stages of the Narcissus showing its basic steel box section and perspex framing

The Narcissus before final detail is added.

Art dept assistant Stuart Rose checks out detailing on the Narcissus

The interior of the Narcissus’ “garage”. The hatchway, built by Bill Pearson, exactly matched the full-size set. but he need not have bothered since it is never seen in the final film!

A latex 6 fingered Alien hand before painting. This was worn like a glove by mime artist Bolaji Badejo who played the Alien.

The animatronic Alien hand used for close-ups.

Martin’s miniature model of Kanes burial shroud was carved in wood and fired from a fishermans catapult to acheive the shot of it being fired out of the hatch on Nostromo!

A close-up of the Alien’s head showing how a real human skull was incorporated into Giger’s design. This is barely evident once the clear carapace was added over the top of the head.

Part of the large scale refinery built in scale with the 8ft Nostromo for the undocking sequence.

The large scale Nostromo landing leg seen only briefly as the craft touches down.

The nose radar on the enlarged cabin section of Nostromo was fully functional, but once again shots where it is seen moving were cut from the final film.

Martin works on the refinery: but note the beginnings of the main Nostromo hull standing on its end in the background. Photo © copyright B. Pearson

The basic polystyrene sculpture of the Alien Derelict before detailing. The model was approx 10 feet across!

The Nostromo cabin section was built in 1/24th scale in order for TV screens to be built into the model for shots where the crew are seen inside whilst on the planets surface.

A concept painting by H.R.Giger of the derelict. Compare this with photo 30. of the same section of the completed model.

Completed model

!Modeller Peter Vorsey applies detailing in Plasticine to the Alien derelict. More than 100 one Ib packets were used on the model

The miniature interior engine room set of the Nostromo. This was completely redesigned and rebuilt for the final film. However, the towers were taken by Ridley Scott and used as extra engines on the back of the Nostromo.

The Alien Derelict on the miniature planet set in Dec 1977. It was so cold on the stage the smoke clouds lay in beautifully realistic layers.

The derelict during filming on the planet surface. The rocks were made from real cow bones and during the summer the smell on the stage got pretty rank!

One of the redesigned engine room towers incoporating over 200 “Airfix” space shuttle kit parts!