Blade Runner Lost Model Finally Discovered
Blade Runner is one of the best and most influential sci-fi films of all time, so it’s always exciting to see how the film was put together. The designs and model work from the film are a huge part of what makes the film work so well, and a model of a ship called the Lobster Spinner Aerodyne was recently found 40 years after the film’s production finished. Adam Savage did a full video that gives an awesome, in-depth look at this pristine-condition model.
The Lobster Spinner Aerodyne
The Lobster Spinner Aerodyne was based on the design by Syd Mead and built by Bill George, and it was actually the first vehicle you see in the opening scene of Blade Runner. Obviously, this just adds to the incredible rareness and history of the item because you can easily pick it out right away when watching the movie. If you’re a big fan of the film and have some deep pockets, you can also bid on this item at the Propstore memorabilia auction starting March 12.
The Model Was Used As Many Different Vehicles In Blade Runner
The Lobster Spinner Aerodyne is a light up model miniature and was redressed multiple times to appear as different vehicles throughout Blade Runner. Of course, the aforementioned opening scene is its most prominent appearance. Propstore also proved its authenticity by matching the paint markings and chips in the body of the model to the behind-the-scenes photos from the film’s model shop.
More Than Just The Lobster
There are multiple Spinner models in Blade Runner, and this particular version was known as the ‘Lobster’ style. While Syd Mead designed the overall Spinner concept, the Lobster style was designed by Chris Ross. According to Propstore, this miniature model is believed to be the only Lobster Spinner that exists.
How It Was Built
For those interested in the construction of this Blade Runner model, Bill George used vacuum-formed plastic that was built over a plate armature. The plate armature had a hole for rod insertion and a gray rubber wire. It also had white tape applied to it to create a matte effect that allowed for easier VFX compositing in post-production.
Don’t Keep The Lights On Long
The Blade Runner Lobster Spinner was also repainted from the original taxi yellow color to brown, but the yellow paint can still be seen peeking through on some areas of the model. Meanwhile, the lights that are in the vehicle are the originals that were fitted during the production and have been sealed inside since then. If you end up snagging this model, Propstore does warn that although the lights can be turned on, you can’t do it for long as they will start to overheat.
Don’t Show Up Empty Handed
The person lucky enough to snag this model on auction day will also get an acrylic display case and two artwork labels. One artwork label has Harrison Ford’s autograph, while the other includes details of the model’s fabrication. As you might expect, this Blade Runner model won’t come cheap by any means, as Propstore has the item estimated to go for anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000, with a starting bid of $25,000.
