Laser Tank
Encyclopedia
The Laser Tank is a fictional vehicle seen in The Infernal Machine episode of the television series Space: 1999
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These vehicles can be manned or operated by remote control and were probably the product of a conversion of construction vehicles that were still present on the Moonbase at the time of Breakaway
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Moonbase Alpha
only had to use their Laser Tanks in combat once, against the artificial intelligence known as Gwent. All three tanks were destroyed, although other tanks were seen in an Eagle hangar in Space Warp. Fortunately during the battle with Gwent, the tanks had been operated by remote control.
, who was responsible for the design of much of the hardware seen in the show. The chassis were from Tamiya 1/25th scale Chieftain tank
s and were the one common feature to all the vehicles. Each one was motorized and remote controlled.
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
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Defense Capabilities
These vehicles are not one particular design, and in fact, the three tanks seen all look different although they do seem to share a common chassis. Their armament is similar though, with each being armed with a single rotating laser cannon.These vehicles can be manned or operated by remote control and were probably the product of a conversion of construction vehicles that were still present on the Moonbase at the time of Breakaway
Breakaway (Space: 1999)
"Breakaway" is the first episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by George Bellak ; the director was Lee H. Katzin. Previous titles include 'Zero-G', 'The Void Ahead' and 'Turning Point'. The final shooting script is dated 22 November 1973...
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Moonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha is a fictional moon base and the main setting in the science fiction television series Space: 1999.-Moonbase Alpha:Located in the Moon crater Plato and constructed out of quarried rock and ores, Moonbase Alpha is four kilometres in diameter and extends up to one kilometre in areas...
only had to use their Laser Tanks in combat once, against the artificial intelligence known as Gwent. All three tanks were destroyed, although other tanks were seen in an Eagle hangar in Space Warp. Fortunately during the battle with Gwent, the tanks had been operated by remote control.
Design
The Laser Tanks were designed by Martin BowerMartin Bower
Martin Bower is a model maker and designer of special effects miniatures for both film and television. His credits include the television series Space: 1999 and the films Alien , Flash Gordon and Outland...
, who was responsible for the design of much of the hardware seen in the show. The chassis were from Tamiya 1/25th scale Chieftain tank
Chieftain tank
The FV 4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s. It was one of the most advanced tanks of its era, and at the time of its introduction in 1966 had the most powerful main gun and heaviest armour of any tank in the world...
s and were the one common feature to all the vehicles. Each one was motorized and remote controlled.
External links
- Martin Bowers Model World — Creator of the original models, along with other spacecraft from Space: 1999Space: 1999Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
- Space 1999 Catacombs - Laser Tanks - In depth review of the laser tanks