The Aliens Legacy
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/

M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute
http://forum.alienslegacy.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=17995
Page 11 of 11

Author:  M56 Smart One [ Fri Sep 09, 2016 8:21 pm ]
Post subject: 

It's been way too long yet again...but here's the final part of my Houston trip story.

So day #3 was pretty epic. I was invited to come see a remarkable collection. I can't go into detail about the collector or the actual collection, but I'll share two photos that he allowed me to post on Facebook.

First up, and really the best one is as you'd figure it to be:

Image

That is one of the two screen-used smartguns, which I believe to be Drake's, but I must put a bit of research into this once I get a good computer to analyze screen captures with other photos that I have. No, I cannot post more photos of this, and I will not share them privately out of respect for my friend. This gun is SICK. First of all, I love when people give me a hard time about taking an MG42 machine gun and 'ruining' it to make the smartgun. A lot of these people say that the MG42's in the movie were not permanently modified for the film or that they were rented. Well, take it from me: the MG42's used in the movie were permanently modified for conversion into the smartguns. The front grip mount is welded to the shroud, and the C-clamp that connects the steadicam arm to the gun is anchored by a large screw, of which a large hole is drilled into the bottom of the shroud. So there you have it, if you want an accurate smartgun and use an MG42, you DO have to weld to it and drill into it.

Now, I also will post this photo, because I love the pulse rifle a lot too:

Image

That is not screen used, but was made for production. It was still awesome.

These two props were just two of the many, many highlights in this collection. You have NO idea how mind-blowing it was. I held some pretty insane things that day and I'm still in awe. The best part about these props (and they aren't all from Aliens) is that they are in the hands of a truly awesome guy. Seriously, he couldn't have been any nicer and hospitable to my buddy and I when we visited.

After the trip to his place, my buddy and I headed to San Antonio to celebrate the propgasms we just had with some pizza:

Image

We couldn't eat it all, but we tried. I'd say that we put about 40% of the pizza down. We then had to suffer a 2-hour drive back to Houston with the leftover slices in the trunk of the car, which caused the entire car to smell like pizza. I could have killed my buddy for insisting we take the leftovers (he didn't want us to look like we were defeated). We ended up giving the leftover pizza to the valet guys at the hotel. The next day we headed back to Pennsylvania.

Since then, the smartgun progress has begun again...there were some personal issues on behalf of the guy who is helping with my gun that prevented him from working on it for a bit. His health is way more important than my gun, so I'm just glad he is getting back into the swing of things.

I have also begun the process of finding accurate parts to make my friend's screen-used smartgun screen-accurate again. I'm so thrilled that I know enough to be able to help him.

Author:  Cain MKII [ Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:44 am ]
Post subject: 

Drake's smartgun: this is spectacular

Author:  septic [ Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re:

M56 Smart One wrote:
No, I cannot post more photos of this, and I will not share them privately out of respect for my friend.

The front grip mount is welded to the shroud, and the C-clamp that connects the steadicam arm to the gun is anchored by a large screw, of which a large hole is drilled into the bottom of the shroud.


Hey Adam, if you don't mind, can I ask why your friend wouldn't want to share pics of his treasures? As a collector, I can't imagine not wanting to share. Not meaning to be critical, just genuinely nonplussed.

Close up pics of the two details you've mentioned would have been awesome.

Author:  M56 Smart One [ Sun Sep 11, 2016 8:04 pm ]
Post subject: 

He is a private collector and you have to be careful when things cost as much as these things do. I wasn't asked not to share and I haven't asked him if it is OK for me to share them. Don't worry, you will see how things were done on the real gun, as mine will be done the same exact way.

Author:  Cain MKII [ Tue Sep 13, 2016 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

I guess you collected enough references to build a screen accurate Drake M56.
It's time to change the title of this topic to "Vasquez and Drake tribute" ;)

Author:  hunterkiller86 [ Tue Sep 13, 2016 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Re:

septic wrote:
M56 Smart One wrote:
No, I cannot post more photos of this, and I will not share them privately out of respect for my friend.

The front grip mount is welded to the shroud, and the C-clamp that connects the steadicam arm to the gun is anchored by a large screw, of which a large hole is drilled into the bottom of the shroud.


Hey Adam, if you don't mind, can I ask why your friend wouldn't want to share pics of his treasures? As a collector, I can't imagine not wanting to share. Not meaning to be critical, just genuinely nonplussed.

Close up pics of the two details you've mentioned would have been awesome.

unfortunately, sometimes the internet gets a wiff of these things and burglaries happen :(

Author:  retrogarde [ Tue Sep 13, 2016 4:57 pm ]
Post subject: 

Like the guy who stole the Nostromo key from Bob Burns house. I'd be cautious too...

Author:  hunterkiller86 [ Tue Sep 13, 2016 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:

retrogarde wrote:
Like the guy who stole the Nostromo key from Bob Burns house. I'd be cautious too...

Exactly

Author:  septic [ Tue Sep 13, 2016 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:

Agreed, caution is advised of course, but there's a difference from posting prop ref pics on a forum vs a Google Streetview pic of their house ...


M56 Smart One wrote:
Don't worry, you will see how things were done on the real gun, as mine will be done the same exact way.

With the utmost respect & appreciation for what you are doing (and have already done / shared) - Replica Prop does not equal Original Prop, no matter how faithful the recreation is.


[Sensible] sharing is caring 8)

Author:  Space Jockey [ Wed Sep 14, 2016 1:52 pm ]
Post subject: 

Either way, especially interested in seeing you continue your build, I am slowly gathering parts to build my own one day. :-)

Author:  Cain MKII [ Sun Dec 11, 2016 9:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

This thread need an update, urgently :)

Author:  nickdaring [ Sun Dec 11, 2016 11:26 am ]
Post subject: 

I'm dying for an update as well! Best thread ever!

Author:  Corp Hicks [ Sat Dec 17, 2016 8:10 pm ]
Post subject: 

Drakes Smartgun?!? WOW... Neid!!

Author:  nickdaring [ Tue Feb 14, 2017 9:04 pm ]
Post subject: 

Stumbled across this cool continuity photo of Drake's harness-

Attachments:
o1244_i16231.jpg
o1244_i16231.jpg [ 575.49 KiB | Viewed 53877 times ]

Author:  Dropshipbob [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re:

retrogarde wrote:
Like the guy who stole the Nostromo key from Bob Burns house. I'd be cautious too...


What??? When did this happen?!

Author:  retrogarde [ Thu Feb 16, 2017 8:35 pm ]
Post subject: 

Back in 2008 or 2009? Stephen210 and others worked hard and managed to recreate it for him!


http://propsummit.com/viewtopic.php?t=1145&start=220

Author:  M56 Smart One [ Sun Apr 23, 2017 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 

Hey everyone,

It's been a very long wait, but things are finally moving ahead. I had to wait for Matsuo (my smartgun enthusiast consultant) to get back on his feet. Matt is the only one who could do the work that I needed, and he is the only one I can trust to obsess over minor details as much as I do when it comes to this legendary weapon. Here are a few shots I have of him his work so far. The AR-125 pegs are not the ones that will be used on my baby but they were attached for test-fitting. As you saw earlier, I have a set of brand new old stock pegs to attach.

Image


Also, Matt has addressed fitting the C-clamp to attach the L-bracket to so that I can attach the gun to the steadicam arm...

Image


Still a lot of work to go, but it's happening.


Also, I never posted the boots I decided to go with for the Vasquez uniform...

Image

If you look at various screen caps, it appears she may have worn 2 different pairs of boots throughout shooting the movie, if not more (we'll never know). The best closeup I have (from when she is pinning the xenomorph to the airduct to shoot it in the head) shows 7 lace holes and some other features I used as landmarks to ID them. These are not entirely accurate, but close enough given I still can't figure out exactly what kind of boots she wore. As you can see, they have the appropriate amount of lace holes and feature a few other landmarks I used as well. The soles are different...the search for the right boots will continue when I have the time (probably never).


Also, stay tuned for my other upcoming Aliens thread to show off my standard USCM gear as it comes together. Here's a teaser:

Image

Image

My buddy Gary (a vital part of this forum) has been working hard on this after I said I couldn't pass up a chance at snagging the accurate Kango drill from him.


Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, I managed to snag some official Fox production stills of some of the USCM props...they are badass.

Image


Hopefully I'll be back soon with more updates!

Author:  Cain MKII [ Mon Apr 24, 2017 5:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

Nice to see you back on track :)

Author:  M56 Smart One [ Tue May 02, 2017 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

Matsuo has been working on so much awesome stuff. He really is a standup guy and he will get all of his standing orders filled. I don't know how he manages to do all of it, but I am excited that he has continued to work on my gun. The front grip mount has been produced and strength-tested. He is doing a few of these and says that I get the best one (yay...haha). Then it just has to be welded on completely. Check her out:

Image

Author:  Cain MKII [ Wed May 03, 2017 9:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

I have one of these reenforced front grip on order too :)

Author:  Cain MKII [ Sun Jun 25, 2017 8:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: M56 Smartgun 'Hero' Build / Vasquez Tribute

So, what's up next? ;)

Author:  M56 Smart One [ Tue Jul 04, 2017 3:19 am ]
Post subject: 

Lots of Ghostbusters stuff in hyper-drive right now (pun intended). The gun progress will pick up soon!

Page 11 of 11 All times are UTC [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/