the nozzles were created out of yogurt cups and miniature farmers pails
underside of bridge section
the detail builds
primered and ready for molding, next comes the base
a section of the Lunar module makes for the base
detailed and sized on sentra, this piece molded will line the back of the belly module
sentra {an air injected lightweight styrene} 3/8 inch thick make for the building material of the module...the surface is then scribed and paneled
micro detail patches are placed in areas to match the same as seen in the photos of the original.
levels of depth and cavities are created and piping fills the insets
yes there is a nod to The Empire Strikes Back here!!! the ATAT head now has been transformed into the main antenna array mount
Spaceballs pieces added to the deep detail hidden in the dark recesses here.
attaching the elements make for one heavy piece!!
micro detailing of the cones comes next using more tie fighter pieces along with WWII German RR cannon pieces
the piping was molded off of the original
all assembled and primer grayed
seen here without the belly module, the ship indeed looks too light in mass in comparison to the rest of the ship
the side view shows the belly module adding a good amount of visual weight to the bridge area!
inserted and matching the paint
setting up at PSOL and finally getting the cockpit piece put on
the detail across this ship is so mesmerizing!
this thing has so many cool angles to get lost in!!!
the bridge needs some detailing then she'll be all done
Hi all and so glad to have read all the great comments about the Nostromo!!! Seems that we all love Ron Cobb and those UK modelers’ massive space tug and are all equally glad that it lives again!!!!!! Today’s entry shows more of the detail construction and some of the set up at the LA Branch of the “Prop Store of London”. You’ll see all kinds of cool stuff in the background, so there will be more to drag your attention around while looking at the Nostromo. Todays photos start with the construction of the bridge’s belly module… this piece by looks of the paint and detail where it once was, indicates that it was added on much later in the model’s construction. Somebody on stage probably said, “Hey, the nose section is a bit thin!!! Beef it up a bit !!!” And I am sure that is what caused this piece to be built and screwed in on top of tons of lovely surface detail. Anyway, this whole piece was missing, so it had to be built from scratch using the photos at hand!!! It is basically a fat box with loads of details in the recesses and three nozzles attached to it’s rear. It also houses the massive three foot antenna array which was a bear to mount and keep straight…so with no delays, enjoy today’s Nostromo pics!!! There are also 8 hidden Mickey’s on the ship now!!! but not in today’s pics!! R2 will be the last pic in the last entry for this one.
Eavesdropping with Johnny 
OK, I definitely need to watch Alien again. There’s no denying that now. I’ll have to pull out the DVD here shortly and start watching. 🙂
Um, Wow, where to begin. You guys are doing some AMAZING work on this. Yogurt cups, pails and parts from models, not all of which existed when this model was first built. And it all looks like it was always there. That’s absolutely amazing. Great work by everyone involved in restoring this beauty. She almost looks like she did 31 years ago and looks nothing like the partial model you all started with. 😀
well you use what works HAAA! thanks and all those GMD’ers did some awesome work!!!
It just amazes me how innovative you physical modelers are when you need a part. In CG, when you need a part, you build it, no matter how bizarre it is. You don’t worry about how it would be constructed in the real world. It’s a shame that physical modeling is going the wayside. As much as I love CG, there’s no competing with a good ol’ well constructed physical model. 🙂
Well, I for one always fall back on my practical modeling building/fabrication skills in 3D, as I am always basically trying to build stuff as it would be built in the real world.
I always ask myself to get a grasp of how to go about it in 3D: OK, how would thing thing actually be constructed if I was building it as a prac?
peace | deg
I don’t. I find any and all shortcuts when I do 3D. 😉 But then I was never into physical modeling. I used to put kits together, but that’s about it.
Very cool from the work you have done. You would never have know that it damaged over the years.
Hmm just like EG I am going to have to watch this again.
it really holds up and the directors cut has some awesome additions to it and they don’t look out of place at all,, really builds Veronica Cartwrighte’s character quite a bit!
I wish I had the director’s cut. I only have the 20th Anniversary DVD where you have to watch the deleted scenes separately. I have the director’s cut of Aliens, though. I guess I’ll have to splurge one of these days and get the Alien director’s cut.
yeah its worth it,,,Deg and I saw it on the big screen at Wonderfest!! Smokin awesome!!!
That was so beyond cool, and what a rare opportunity it was! I felt like I was back in 1979. Just smokin’ awesome indeed! Glad we could do it together with Greg and Nelson as well. über-rare and good times a had by all, eh.
peace | deg
I agree with the above; I’m going to have to watch Alien again even though it still scares the **** out of me!
Proof of Dan O’Bannon’s writing genius and Ridley Scott’s awesome directing.
Ridley’s working on a new Alien movie by the way
REALLY?! Oh wow……..
Fantastic work to all involved.
Really excelled at putting in all that extra detail, which like all Ron Cobb designs, you “know” there is ALOT detail, even if not visable on screen.
Thanks for the great shots John. Did you guys build up a mock-up of the escape pod Narcissus on the belly of the Nostromo? If so, pics would be Highly Appreciated !!
Cheers
Mark
your welcome!!! I love taking pictures and I take way to many!!!
no by the way about the Narcissus,,the area of the model where it would go is gone and the rolling stand is where it would go
Mickeys? Hehe
yeah 8 of them!!!
What a great pictorial!
It’s amazing what can be built with such simple materials, if only you have the diligence and experience. But I bet that model had to be handled with extreme care.
it’s funny how a trip to the market brings home space ship folly, Haaa!
SO TRUE!!!
OH man, all the shampoo and lotion bottles, etc. I went through building scratch built models. Maybe “found-object” models in part is a better description.
I remember my Mom gettin’ good-humored miffed ’cause I would empty all the bottles in the bathroom into cereal bowls, and she’d say, “Now how am I supposed to use this stuff now, Dougy?” I’d say, “Just dip your hand in, Mom, and scoop some up.” She was like, “you’re so lucky I love and support your creative madness, kiddo.”
I’d say, “Yep Mom, I am, you’re the best. Are you done with that conditioner bottle yet?” 😀
peace | deg
Hi John;
This has been an AWESOME series of posts. I’ve said it before, you’ve got the best job in the world! Thanks for taking the time to put all these great pictures together for us.
Take care,
Richard
Your a nut!!! thanks and glad your liking all the stuff!
Oh my… what a present of a post today, John! Wowsers! Thanks! Amazing! Awesome! Unbelievable! Inspiring! The deatil! The paint-job! The sheer mass of it! Wow! 🙂
BTW, is that a Space: 1999 Eagle hanging perpendicular to the ground in the background?
Thanks again for the window into this AMAZINg project, dude!
Oh, and don’t forget to please send me the ST shuttle art, eh. Workin’ on a traditional G7 right now, but want to build both 3-H and 4-H, and also maybe your take on the standard IOWA shuttle config, concept-sheet date 6-07.
Thanks! 🙂
peace | deg
DEG!!!! I am home today so I’ll get your stuff in the works for ya!!!
JOHN!!! Thanks, bro, you’re the bestest!
Don’t let me pull you away too much from enjoying your time at home with the girls though! 😉
peace | deg
Wowowowowowow.!!!!!!!!! This series has been AWESOME! Alien is a real favorite of mine and to see the actual Nostromo model’s details like this puts me in hog heaven. I built many a model when I was a kid and it’s cool to recognize so many tank and battleship parts. And the Lunar Module! Great, great stuff, John.
And I think deg’s right about the Eagle in the “side view” shot. If it’s not an Eagle it’s something darn close!
NO it’s metal frame work,, if it was an Eagle I would be laying unconscious next to it!!!
I’d be lying right there next to ya with a bump on my head, bud. 😀
peace | deg
D’oh! Too bad! Not that I thought it was a REAL Eagle.
wow, I gasp, did you see there is a head of AT-AT?, this page is great, I’m always mindful of its updates, for months, but this is the first time I write … thanks for your site
Like this…?
Is that crazy or what?
peace | deg
Love the pic! Especially that guy in the middle posing at the camera. 🙂
But ya, nothing like the Eagle that it kinda appears could be hangning on the model, eh?
I’ve been awed following the work on this big bruiser of a model!! I’ve not had the pleasure of scratch building, but I so admire the crowd here who has the creativity and stick-to-it-iveness (?) – probably literally sticking to many parts of your creations at one point or another. 😉
Still haven’t taken up that triple dog dare to watch the film by myself…in a dark room…late at night…awe, now I won’t be able to sleep just thinking about it!! On the big screen, watching the DC with pals, now that’s the way to do it! I was jealous then, and now I’m even more jealous. HA!
This is incredibly awesome.
2nd to last shot reminds me of after the shuttle has landed in OUTLAND — but with tons more insanely great detail!
really need to film a few minutes of new footage of it after its done…:)
how about a 4 min video? show the ship docking to the initial refinery, before the encounter on the alien planet:)
anyhow.
great controlled kitbashed detailing, not just stuck on looking. and with the great “configuation” of almost all COBB ships…. its just one of my all time favs…
🙂
runs on yugurt….lol
This is awesome. I never thought I would see one of these built in such great detail. Thanks for sharing.
Ok, yeah, now I have to find the Director’s cut and watch this movie again because seeing these pictures has really helped me appreciate the Nostromo in all her glory and splendor! The level of detail on this model is so incredible. It must have been very time consuming to create.
Wow, absolutely great stuff. Love the detailed pics. Thanx for that. Must have been fun to work on. This really makes me want to watch Alien again.
If i may ask, those Spaceballs parts (interesting to use, btw), were they really vintage castings ?
Thanx again !!
Oh my God, it’s like the Shangri-La of greebles! 😉
Hi all,
Please take a look at our third video on the restoration as well:
Thanks to John and all at GMD for their hard work on this project!
Brandon Alinger
The Prop Store of London
Good Job Chaps ! Looking great ! Love the spirit of the yoghurt cups and buckets . Just call me over when I can help 😀
This whole story is awesome! Loved the latest video! Wish I could have contributed to this project, too. Scratchbuilding is so much fun!
Lee
I hope they fix the docking corridor on the left front of the ship opposite the radar dish. It is not supposed to be hanging down like that.
Really awesome reconstruction work John.
Hope Grant and Monty and the gang are well over there – haven’t worked alongside them for a long long time . . .