Catacombs Model Gallery
Ultra Probe lifeboat

There were three versions of the model:

• a 5ft/ 163cm long large version in scale with the 22" Eagle;

• a 2.5ft/ 84cm long version (shown here at the Wolverhampton exhibition) which docked with the dragon ship;

• a 48cm command module/ lifeboat in scale with the 44" Eagle

Martin Bower in Sci Fi and Fantasy Models 12: The Ultra Probe models were highly detailed and employed EMA tubing and piping for virtually their entire basic shapes. The girder work on the Eagles was done in brass for shear strength, but the design of the Ultra Probe meant I could get away with plastic piping for its girder work. The jet exhausts were turned on a lathe in aluminium just as the Eagle's jets were. [more quotes below]

The pilot section of the Ultra Probe separated to form a lifeboat.

The underside of the large (5 ft/ 163cm) Ultra Probe model lifeboat. This has been repainted since filming of the episode and is quite battered (the picture above from the 1975 Clapperboard shows the insignia clearly). For more pictures of the big Ultra Probe see the Superswift/ large Ultra Probe page. Below is the 48cm lifeboat model used for closeups. Note the much greater detailing.

The lifeboat features a top escape hatch, seen here. There are four large rear boosters, and side attitude control boosters.

The large (48cm) Ultra Probe lifeboat model, twice the size of the one shown above and highly detailed. Compare the hatch detailing with that on the 5ft Ultra Probe model. Note that the model has been refurbished; in particular the coloured tape lines are completely different to the filming miniature.

Martin Bower in Sci Fi and Fantasy Models 12: The front of the command module was based on the design of the Eagle's nose, so I had to make a wooden pattern and press mould this in 2 halves in Perspex sheeting. Unfortunately I could not get access to a 44" or 22" Eagle to get a casting to convert as these were in constant use at the studios, so I had to start from scratch. Both the 6' and the large Command Module section noses where done in this way and corresponded in scale to the 22" and 44" Eagles, however the smaller 3' model had a solid wood command module.

The arc resembles a Star Trek Federation symbol.

The arms were inspired by the locking arms of the domes in the film Silent Running.

Martin Bower in Sci Fi and Fantasy Models 12: I had recently seen the film Silent Running. With the undocking of the Ultra Probe I wanted to recreate something like the scenes in that film where the domes undock from the Valley Forge. To achieve the "glitter" effect, seen as lots of pieces of debris spurt out of the hatches as they are blown, Brian used the same technique as Doug Trumbull. Silica from the element of an old electric toaster was broken up into minute fragments and blown out through the open hatches with compressed air! If you want to know where the idea for this effect came from just look at newsreel footage of the real Lunar Module blasting off from the moon! (This effect was not used on screen)

This view looks very like an Eagle. Most Earth ships shared this design characteristic.