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A light-up remote-controlled model miniature APC from James Cameron's sci-fi action sequel Aliens. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and the Colonial Marines were taken to the colony of Hadley's Hope in an APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier), and used the vehicle to travel to the atmosphere processing station, barely escaping with their lives as they were swarmed by dozens of xenomorphs.

It is believed that three mechanised APCs were built for the production at different scales: a full-size APC made from an airport plane tug; a 1/6 scale APC with working lights and a rotating gun turret; and this 1/12 scale model, which was used for the scene where the dropship first deposited the APC onto the surface of LV-426 and for the aerial shot as the APC enters the atmosphere processor.

The miniature's body comprises a vacuum-formed plastic shell over a balsa wood chassis, with a running gear taken from a radio-controlled car. It was built as lightweight as possible because it had to sit inside the miniature dropship as it descended, and the model unit were wary of damaging the dropship miniature.

The model features its original halogen lights on both the front and the back, although one of the front lights no longer illuminates. The strobe light on the top of the APC above the cockpit was removed after production but the wiring is still present. The gun turret can be manually positioned to rotate or moved to the back of the vehicle, as it does in the film when moving through low doors, and mounting holes for its alternative positions are present.

The miniature is fully remote-controlled and can reach speeds of 20mph. It is accompanied by the original remote-control unit. There is a switch on the underside of the model to activate the electronics.

The APC has undergone some sympathetic restoration since the production wrapped, including the replacement of one of the cannon barrels and some of the wheel cover tabs; these are a different colour to the original components to highlight their replacement. The tyres are production-made back-ups as the originals degraded since production. The APC is accompanied by four spare, production-made tyres and four brass hubcaps, which were originally conceived to be part of the model but were deemed too heavy for use. Also included are four modern tyres, carefully cast from a production original, which can be swapped in to drive the APC and avoid damage to the originals.

A miniature light and grill are also present; these appeared in the film on the two larger APC models, but not on this one. They were originally affixed to its top - the registration points can still be seen - but were removed to allow greater clearance as it left the dropship.

The lot also includes a 106-page final-draft script dated "September 1985" and featuring a crew member's name handwritten on the card cover; 12 miniature floor tiles for the USS Sulaco and elevator miniature sets; a "Bug Stomper" crew jumper (size "M") and jacket (size "L"); 30 previously unpublished behind-the-scenes photographs of this and the other APC and dropship miniatures, including one photograph which this model photo-matches to; five call sheets; eight shooting schedules; a 15-page list of "Special Photographic Effects"; four pages of simple storyboards attached to a notes page; a production memo; and printed concept drawings of both the dropship and the APC. The crew items have some minor staining from age and use. The lot is also accompanied by a letter of authenticity from a senior special effects technician on the production who has reviewed and authenticated the APC. Dimensions: 62 cm x 23 cm x 39 cm (24 1/2" x 9" x 15 1/4")

Contains electronics; see electronics notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Special shipping required; see special shipping notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Contains mechanical components; see mechanical notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Estimate: £150,000 - 300,000 M



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