UFO :: Models, Miniatures, Sets, Props and Production Locations...

Greetings All!

I'm pursuing info on actual items and places used in production that
survived. I'd to like to acquire some of these items, or to at least,
document their existence with as much supporting info as possible. I intend
to make this info available to all UFO fans via the web (I'll submit to Marc
Martin for his consideration to post on his site)!

Anyone know if Straker's briefcase (used through the series, the one with
the destruct mechanism) survived? Who has it? Any pictures?

Also, I'm planning on attending my first UFO event, Fanderson, in September
and I'd like to visit the filming locations/studios where the sets were AND
the location where Derek Meddings/Mike Trim executed their miniature magic!
Any help/advice on the where (addresses) and whom to contact to get
permission for entry would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

THANKS!

Michael Blake
San Antonio, Texas

[hidden email]
210-579-2900

> I'm pursuing info on actual items and places used in production that
> survived. I'd to like to acquire some of these items, or to at least,
> document their existence with as much supporting info as possible. I intend
> to make this info available to all UFO fans via the web (I'll submit to Marc
> Martin for his consideration to post on his site)!

An interesting project, although you may also want to consider creating
your own website for this, and I could simply link to it. I say this
because I've been notoriously slow in the past few years in getting
around to putting things on my website, and also I just think UFO
fandom is "healthier" with more & more fan websites.

> Anyone know if Straker's briefcase (used through the series, the one with
> the destruct mechanism) survived? Who has it? Any pictures?

I haven't heard of that surfacing, but there really hasn't been much
at all which appears to remain from UFO.

> Also, I'm planning on attending my first UFO event, Fanderson, in September
> and I'd like to visit the filming locations/studios where the sets were AND
> the location where Derek Meddings/Mike Trim executed their miniature magic!
> Any help/advice on the where (addresses) and whom to contact to get
> permission for entry would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Have you seen Fanderson's website on Gerry Anderson filming locations?

http://www.fanderson.org.uk/prodguides/locationguide.html

Also, some of the past Fanderson conventions had "filming location" tours
which were held during the convention. I would think that with this
upcoming convention being held so close to where UFO was made, that maybe
someone will organize such a tour? (although I haven't seen one announced)

Marc

Thanks Marc! Sure, I've seen the locations page at Fanderson.

What I'm trying to arrange, should I travel from Texas to UK, is a
"Holy-Grail" visit to the production studios, stages, offices... if
possible. I'm especially keen to visit the location where the Meddings
miniature work was done, even if its now a parking lot. It's hard to
explain, my wife, Nora, thinks I'm nuts?! My 9 year old son, Matthew, thinks
its cool... so Matt wins this one! 8-)

If anyone has any info/ideas/contacts I'd appreciate your help... THANKS!

Michael Blake


-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Martin [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 9:45 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SHADO] UFO :: Models, Miniatures, Sets, Props and
Production Locations...

> I'm pursuing info on actual items and places used in production that
> survived. I'd to like to acquire some of these items, or to at least,
> document their existence with as much supporting info as possible. I
intend
> to make this info available to all UFO fans via the web (I'll submit to
Marc
> Martin for his consideration to post on his site)!

An interesting project, although you may also want to consider creating
your own website for this, and I could simply link to it. I say this
because I've been notoriously slow in the past few years in getting
around to putting things on my website, and also I just think UFO
fandom is "healthier" with more & more fan websites.

> Anyone know if Straker's briefcase (used through the series, the one with
> the destruct mechanism) survived? Who has it? Any pictures?

I haven't heard of that surfacing, but there really hasn't been much
at all which appears to remain from UFO.

> Also, I'm planning on attending my first UFO event, Fanderson, in
September
> and I'd like to visit the filming locations/studios where the sets were
AND
> the location where Derek Meddings/Mike Trim executed their miniature
magic!
> Any help/advice on the where (addresses) and whom to contact to get
> permission for entry would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Have you seen Fanderson's website on Gerry Anderson filming locations?

http://www.fanderson.org.uk/prodguides/locationguide.html

Also, some of the past Fanderson conventions had "filming location" tours
which were held during the convention. I would think that with this
upcoming convention being held so close to where UFO was made, that maybe
someone will organize such a tour? (although I haven't seen one announced)

Marc



Yahoo! Groups Links

> I'm especially keen to visit the location where the Meddings
> miniature work was done, even if its now a parking lot.

UFO's model work was filmed at Century 21 studios in Slough.
Where that is exactly I do not know, although I suspect that
somebody here must!

Marc

Hi,

It's about 21 miles directly west of London.

I understand the building is still there, but it is now used for different
purposes (I may be a little out of date here, but I saw it for myself about 10
years back).

Best, Griff

-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Martin [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 6:49 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SHADO] UFO :: Models, Miniatures, Sets, Props and Production
Locations...



> I'm especially keen to visit the location where the Meddings miniature work
was done, even if its now a parking lot.

UFO's model work was filmed at Century 21 studios in Slough. Where that is
exactly I do not know, although I suspect that somebody here must!

Marc

Somebody actually *wants* to go to Slough?
;)

Marc Martin wrote:

--- In [hidden email], "Michael Blake" <michaelblake@e...>
wrote:
>
> Thanks Marc! Sure, I've seen the locations page at Fanderson.
>
> What I'm trying to arrange, should I travel from Texas to UK, is a
> "Holy-Grail" visit to the production studios, stages, offices... if
> possible. I'm especially keen to visit the location where the
Meddings
> miniature work was done, even if its now a parking lot. It's hard to
> explain, my wife, Nora, thinks I'm nuts?! My 9 year old son,
Matthew, thinks
> its cool... so Matt wins this one! 8-)
>
> If anyone has any info/ideas/contacts I'd appreciate your help...
THANKS!
>
> Michael Blake

If you find out any information post it, I'm going over in April and
asked much the same thing. I've got the website for Pinewood but they
don't mention giving tours to the public. Another site mentioned VIP
tours but I got the impression it might be for people wanting to hire
out the facilities. I think it's like Marc said, groups can arrange
to have tours but I'm not sure individuals can.


The ISOSHADO website has pictures up of a Pinewood Studio tour they
did which gives you a feel for what's what. It's just hard to
interpret unless you can speak italian but it's better than nothing.

Karen
>
>

--- In [hidden email], "Michael Blake" <michaelblake@e...>
wrote:
> and I'd like to visit the filming locations/studios where the sets
were AND
> the location where Derek Meddings/Mike Trim executed their
miniature magic!
> Any help/advice on the where (addresses) and whom to contact to get
> permission for entry would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
>

Michael,

My girlfriend lives a couple of streets away from the block of
apartments used as Paul Foster's home, and I've got to say, they
look identical today to when they were filmed for the show. If
you're in London, those buildings are right outside Swiss Cottage
tube station. As for the other locations, Black Park in
Buckinghamshire is still there, Pinewood studios is as well and
although MGM British Studios were demolished in 1970, the main
reception house used as the front office of SHADO is still standing,
I believe. Alas, the building used as the IAC headquarters is gone,
but you can still find similar buildings at the same location in the
City of London.

Nick

Scroll down here:
http://www.isoshado.org/centraleeng2.html
(in English)

And here:
http://www.isoshado.org/isoshado_3/agosto_03/prima/immagini/index.htm
where can find a comparison between UFO times and current times on various
UFO locations. Just click on each photo in the table.
I'm still investigating whether this specific sub-page had also an English
translation, as it should.
But many of the picts are already self explaining even if the caption is in
Italian.

This link will also take you to another Pinewood Pilgrimage (text in
Italian):
http://www.isoshado.org/isoshado2/pinewood2.htm

To my knowledge:
Pinewood Studios are generally unaccessible for visitors.
Black Park and its lake can be freely visited.
The Borehamwood UFO HQ can be clearly seen from distance but access inside
the lot is forbidden.

teresa
ISOSHADO
----- Original Message ----- >
> The ISOSHADO website has pictures up of a Pinewood Studio tour they
> did which gives you a feel for what's what. It's just hard to
> interpret unless you can speak italian but it's better than nothing.