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The Invaders UFO Model - Page 2

Model related appearances of the Aurora Invaders UFO.

1968 Aurora Invaders UFO Advertisement

Invaders animated

This is an original ad which Aurora placed in comic books in 1968, with typically poor color registration. The Dick Tracy Space Coupe ad has been cropped off the bottom, and it has been updated slightly to reflect the internet age.

Invaders TV Show Filming Miniature:

Studio Miniature

This the only known photo (thus far) of The Invaders filming miniature, shown here courtesy of Tom Strong. The following information was also collected by Tom. Much of it comes from the actual people involved in the creation of the saucer, and who were interviewed in the 90's. That information has been cross-referenced with those involved who are still surviving, and would appear to be the most accurate picture of the creation of the filming model.:
The 4-foot Invaders saucer studio model was made by Production Models Shop, the same people responsible for making the original Star Trek 11 ft. Enterprise model.

Filming was done by the Howard Anderson Co., the firm which also did the special effects for The Invaders series.

Volmer Jensen may have been the modelmaker for The Invaders saucer, along with Mel Keys and possibly Vern Sion. In past publications and books, Richard Datin (another modelmaker at Production Models Shop) has been wrongly credited with making the original filming model. In fact, after the series was started, Richard Datin was commissioned to make a small desktop sized Invaders saucer, which was given to Quinn Martin by the Howard Anderson Co.

The filming model had interior lighting that created that circling effect in the upper dome, although it had more windows surrounding the top dome than did the Aurora model.

It also had fader lights that lit the bottom engine area. The bottom 5 domes were an aqua green with a red orange central bottom light (which was not textured or gridded like the Aurora model).

Where the top dome met the flared area there was only one one ridge on the studio model, as opposed to the Aurora model which has three.

No legs existed for the studio model. Instead there were lines drawn on the bottom of the craft, where the legs would be, to make it look as though they were retracted. The scenes of the landed saucer in the series were always a combination of the saucer model, the real full size legs (with ladders), and the bottom base (with entrance hatch). Also, the real leg base had a periscope type device that came out of the bottom.

As the Aurora model isn't exact to the series filming model, one good assumption is that Aurora used the studio press release images to work out the look and dimensions for their model.

The Aurora model's console room was based upon the 1st Season saucer set. The rest of the saucer was either based upon an unbuilt set or was an interpretation of the possible saucer interior.

An unconfirmed story suggests that the filming model was never paid for and was retrieved when the series was cancelled.

Though the saucer used for filming was thought to have been wooden, that has yet to be positively confirmed. There is still a chance that it could have been fiberglass, like the original Star Trek Enterprise.
The investigation continues.

Any information about this miniature or about the TV show's working arrangement with Aurora Plastics would be appreciated. Please contact me and/or Tom at: tomstrong123@yahoo.com

Additional Kits

The "New" Aurora Plastic Corp: #256

This is suppose to be the new release from the "new" Aurora Plastics Corp. Their website says that it was due to be released December 29, 2007, at a cost of $44.95. I have read that the model will have the original 1968 box art, rather than this one shown on their website. But I've not seen the model or been able to find any other information about it. I am doubtful.

2005 Botelho Paper Kit

Paper

This model, made by Mike Botelho of Canada, is made entirely of heavy weight paper with 5 clear plastic caps underneath. It is made at a somewhat smaller scale than the plastic kits. While he is unable to sell his unbuilt kits for legal reasons, you will often see completed paper models at auction on eBay -Darth_Thor on eBay-

Or check out his new website at : -Sci Fi Prime Paper Crafts- for his extensive collection of paper SciFi models

Comet Miniatures

Comet Miniatures, of Great Britain, put out a 1.5 inch diameter metal version, (#MM12) of the Invaders UFO - in the 1980's but with only 4 lights underneath, as part of their line of long discontinued - Sci Fi Mini Metals -. The first versions had the 4 landing gear cast as one single piece (as shown). Later, they were cast as 4 individual pieces. Mini Metals were first sold in bags with header cards while they waited for the blisters to be produced later.

Resin Mini

A 1.5 inch white resin version (no doubt a Comet Mini recast) of the UFO is currently being offered by -Mini Model Madness-
I purchased this model. The package shows a UFO with 5 lights. However, the actual model has only 4 lights underneath, just like the Comet UFO. It even uses the Comet package artwork.

Wooden Model

I saw this his 8 inch wood and resin model of the Invaders UFO being offered on eBay last year by someone referred to as "buiderscience" It is apparently produced in the Philippines..

Battlestar Galactica Cylon Filming Miniature

David Penn sent me these photos of the Cylon Raider filming miniature used in the original Battlestar Galactica. Apparently, while detailing the craft they must have kitbashed an Aurora Invaders UFO and used some wall panels from the interior. Coincidentally, by this time Monogram which later would put out the model of the Cylon Raider, had already purchased the original molds to the UFO from Aurora..

While these parts of the craft were present in the later Monogram plastic model, the Invader details were not.

Xanadu Opening Film Credits

Take a look at this short clip from the 1980 film, Xanadu, staring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Richard Greenberg Ass., who did the special effects for the opening credits used a lighted version of the Invaders UFO. Thanks again to David Penn for bringing this to my attention.

UFO Game

I acquired this game, still sealed, from a fellow in Canada. The logo indicates that it was made by Columbia Games in about 1978. The use of the Aurora Invaders UFO (minus landing gear) on the lid is pretty obvious. The game, classified as a wargame, was also put out by Avalon Hill about the same time, in a smaller box.

Recommended Invaders Websites

-http://www.theinvaders.co.uk-
-http://www.the-invaders.com- Sorry, seems to have vanished from the web!
-http://www.theinvaders.com.ar- Sorry, seems to have vanished from the web!

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