Original Star Wars Prototype Ships!

Adam gets up close with a few model miniatures made for various Star Wars films, including an original Super Star Destroyer concept model by Lorne Petersen and an early Naboo Starfighter maquette made by his good friend John Duncan! These scratch built models from the ILM model shop helped shape the design of the iconic ships eventually built for filming, and Adam marvels at the familiar details you can make out in these early sketches.
Check out this prop and others from the upcoming EMLA: Los Angeles 2023 auction at propstoreauction.com/auctions...
Shot by Joey Fameli and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!
#adamsavage #starwars #props

[@tested]

Check out this prop and others from the upcoming EMLA: Los Angeles 2023 auction at propstoreauction.com/auctions/info/id/347

[@MAKEITSF]

The score during the asteroid chase scene is absolutely some of the best music John Williams ever wrote for the Star Wars saga.

[@Weazel1]

The SSD model was constructed with honeycomb aluminum panels and a metal substructure to deal with heat of not only the exterior lights, but also the interior fluorescent tubes used to illuminate the windows. It’s ten feet long and apparently it sat in the model room with a bottle of glue sitting on it so when a model maker walked by, they could add a detail piece.

[@peterbumper2769]

And at the time cost $100,000 to build

[@kyleruiz7167]

Also some of the plastic model parts are most likely from a HMS Prince of Whales battleship with the 4 barrel turret casing with the barrels also used and the ship cranes

[@kyleruiz7167]

King George V class to be specific

[@benlee3117]

The kitbashed piece that the 2 geodesic domes shield projectors are resting on - a rectangular box with four vertical slots, each slot having a rounded bottom - clearly visible from the stern of the super star destroyer at 1:45 - is instantly recognizable to me as the main turret of the WW2 British battleship of the King George V class.

[@Urban_Spaceman]

Also superstructure sections, upsidedown, including the bridge, the main guns, and the crane jibs.

[@SaturnCanuck]

I thought that too

[@joshuaparsons1377]

Yep, those are from the Tamiya 1/700 KGV kit.

[@Urban_Spaceman]

and several people have mentioned in other replies, the centre pipework and large plain shapes either side are the gun from a flakpanzer Gepard.

[@ljg6979]

Love all all of the "Nubian" ships have the same sweeping lines, nacelles and inlet "spikes". The N1, the J-type barge, Nubian starship, etc. Such a cool retro look, and perfect for going backwards in time from the initial trilogy to the first trilogy, showing the "art deco" period of ship design.

[@kiml42]

I just noticed, the two ships in this video are the first and last ships we see Anakin in charge of in the movies. I thought that was a neat bit of symmetry.

[@JFREY82]

I love the Prop Store episodes! Keep em coming!

[@tested]

We've got lots to come!

[@oldbutnotdead1]

The engines on the star destroyer are bobbins from a sewing machine. Add in the beads and someone raiding the sewing room :)

[@williammitchell4417]

It sounds like "the scale model" of the TARDIS set.

[@louisfitting4449]

It’s so cool hearing about the building process for some of these iconic models. Keep them coming!

[@paulvamos7319]

Its astounding to me that almost 25 years have passed since Episode 1 came out and 45 years for A New Hope!😲🤯 Thank you for the show and tell Adam!

[@rudiruttger]

So cool to see the first iteration for the SSD!

[@Craftlngo]

looks like Lauren had envisioned a large gun at the top of the ship. Maybe the first step for the Eclipse?

[@IrIcHiHaRu]

hearing the guy respond to such fascination with "ok." is really funny to me for some reason

[@steprockmedia]

LOVE the props Adam! And it's so awesome that you geek out like we would.

[@steprockmedia]

++I like how you're able to add detail and explain things from a model-maker's standpoint. It's very valuable info for them.

[@HorySmokes]

The prequels have many issues but ship design isn't one of them.

[@jocaleb0236]

@@2000jagowhy’s that?

[@briandeschene8424]

Yep. The only things the prequels lacked were good scripts and good actors (with one exception IMO). Other than that…

[@cleverusername9369]

​​@@2000jago agreed. Too sleek and curvy. Everything from the prequels weirdly looks futuristic compared to the originals. Cool designs, to be sure, I love the Naboo Starfighters and Queen Amidala's SR-71 Blackb- I mean her royal yacht.

[@jusdrewit]

​@@cleverusername9369I disagree. The look was intentional by Lucas as he wanted everything to look hand crafted, sleek, much like cars from the 1950s before the slow turn into the more industrial, utilitarian look of the OT by the time of the Empire. Essentially gone were the beautiful almost hand crafted look of the ships and more assembly line production mass produced. Again much like cars from the various eras.

[@Shwarmageddon]

@@cleverusername9369personally I think it makes sense. In the prequels the world was already established. In the originals they were resistance fighters, using whatever tech they could get a hold of. Look at the tech that Somalians use vs South Koreans.

[@MegalithicEnt]

3 awesome pieces! How does that asteroid look so good. The surface texture is perfect. Stoked to have worked with both the John's and I agree they're the two best model makers I know.

[@meronyach.]

As someone who grew up loving the prequels, this is a dream come true 🤩

[@biggreeve5511]

This is heaven on earth to watch, thanks Adam

[@Jon_FM]

having seen the film version of the Executor a few years ago I love how massive it is and the lights in the back with the engines. Not quite as big as the TV version of the Enterprise but still felt so big.

[@poisondart]

Please do a 2-3 hour interview with the Johns or whoever else you can get to geek out about small details and behind the scenes stuff

[@barryjack3025]

I love sitting down and talking to my friends from ILM and Disney, the work that goes on in other parts of the studio before I get to animate stuff is amazing… been there, done that! Love these guys!

[@BryceByerley]

even before he was at ILM John Duncan was a phenomenal model maker!

[@tigershirew7409]

I love these videos. Seeing these props and getting commentary on how they were built is just wonderful. Thank you.

[@chichiboypumpi]

Executor, the best flagship design for me.

[@tested]

Check out this prop and others from the upcoming EMLA: Los Angeles 2023 auction at propstoreauction.com/auctions/info/id/347

[@CarboniteDreamer]

Dude! That asteroid i immediately recognized it because I as a project on space bodies for science class recreated some of those. That is so cool that they have an original!

[@mathiasgreyjoy1611]

Wow, I hope EC Henry does a video based on this, and comes up with a fan design of a SSD prototype or something.

[@cbalan777]

I like how the Super Star Destroyer at this size is basically the world's most threatening paper airplane.

[@armorer94]

There is also a tennis shoe in the asteroid chase sequence.🤣

[@KHeisig75]

There's 2 excellent ships and I'm geeking out over a space rock 😅. I'll take all 3. Thank you.

[@steffenpfau2216]

My favorite model is the „Nautilus“ submarine of Captain Nemo from the 1954 movie „20.000 leagues under the sea“. Never seen a "making of“ or a decomentary about the props (eg the divers suits, the submarines interior) and models. Love that style that is somewhere in between steam punk and art déco! Adam, can you do a research and video about this? Or rebuild the „Nautilus“?

[@bryankerr69]

Very Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@gaemlinsidoharthi]

Made out of things lying around. Magic is definitely at their core.

[@vladyjr]

What an honor it must be to observe these pieces of Star Wars history in person! You guys are so lucky!

[@CalledTurnAGundam]

Today I learned the word: Avuncular. An uncle-like individual. Love that.

[@Codex_of_Wisdom]

It's amazing the difference in the SSD concept and the N1 concept. So many changes between concept and final with the former, but the latter is almost spot-on from the start!

[@doltBmB]

And it shows! The prequel designs are not refined at all.

[@jeffbrown3009]

Blessed to have grown up in New England at the right time to have seen the full scale model of the N-1 Starfighter at the Boston Museum of Science many times. It's still my favorite Star Wars ship because I got to see the "real thing" in so much detail so many times.

[@thedarkknight803able]

That is Awesome!

[@nathkrupa3463]

You are fantastic Adam sir i appreciate you

[@KoKagi]

Engines made of thread bobbins! Awesome! And beads? Must have had a sewing kit near by when he was making it.

[@elitemook4234]

Say what you want about the prequels, but damn if they don’t have some slick ship design.

[@steprockmedia]

Oh yeah. The Naboo Fighter is an excellent design. It clearly evoked a different age and a different aesthetic.

[@jaw1002]

EC Henry and Fractal Sponge need to get on this.

[@Dhuntermxl]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for behind the scenes storys.

[@nateharder2286]

There's a 4 gun battleship turret that forms the base of the star destroyer superstructure.

[@Daveyboy100880]

I saw the Executor filming model when it was part of the Art Of Star Wars exhibition back in 2001. Incredible model with eye-watering detail, and even though it’s so long, it doesn’t seem that big! It’s so delicate, with the tapering shape and all. I hope Adam gets to do a full tour of the Lucasfilm Archives someday, with cameras capturing all the squees!

[@SaturnCanuck]

Lovely

[@Matt..S]

One day, people will pay just as much admission to go to a museum with movie props, than they would for renaissance paintings and sculptures. Movies are the art of the 20th/21st centuries. We don't really have any significant or innovative painters, it's moving pictures that these generations are great with.

[@RapidActionAnimations]

Great video. It’s always great to see something regarding practical effects and the original Star Wars films.

[@allensparks4734]

The solar ship is also an example of the makers art as you said simple elegant and beautiful something every artist should strive for.

[@eligebrown8998]

Mr Savage you never fail to impress. Thanks for sharing all this cool stuff and teaching us a few things.

[@kzookid2051]

The world needs another complete set of Star Wars in Blueray - not directors' cuts, but with voice-overs by the model-makers.

[@tolkienfan1972]

The star destroyers have always been among my favorite ships. Possibly taking the top spot. It would be amazing to be there

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

Fantastic job ❤😅

[@JR-ej9up]

Wow Kennedy really did a Great Job back in the 70s when she was creating Star Wars !

[@NitaKerns]

Man, Chucky keeps staring at me... 😱🔪 Love a Prop Store video, Brandon is awesome! 🤘

[@_The_Archive_]

Fun Fact: The Millennium Falcon was originally modelled after a hamburger with an olive next to it.

[@moomaniac2932]

Really?

[@Craftlngo]

@@moomaniac2932 IIRC was George not sure at all about the shape of the ship. He had envisioned a straight, long form of the ship before (which evolved to the Blockade Runner in the end) and couldn't make up the design for the Falcon until he had dinner in a Burger Restaurant. After taking the first bite out of the Burger he had his now famous Idea. The Bite was the gap between the "Horns" of the Falcon, the overall round form is based on the Burger and the Olive was the base for the asymmetrical design of the Cockpit.

[@moomaniac2932]

@@Craftlngo very cool

[@Games_and_Music]

Who has olives with their hamburger?! Decadence!

[@moomaniac2932]

@@Games_and_Music no one really does it much anymore

[@mm9773]

Wow, a rock.

[@AGoodJoe]

As someone who works in preservation, its crazy that in many of these videos with this gentleman, nice guy that he seems to be, too often it feels like he doesn’t fully fit his job. I’ve seen things explained to him by Adam that someone in that position should know with respect to preservation, as well as some of the items backstory. That said, these videos are great.

[@beachcomberbob3496]

To me, those engine ports look more like vacuum tube (valves we called them back then) sockets. It's the asymmetry of the hole pattern, which were the way to orient the tubes (so you knew which was pin 1, if that makes sense).

[@darahdoyle3176]

The N1 was such a gorgeous design, it's like a Corvette Stingray. Which I'm sure is what tickled Lucas, being a Hot Rod guy (wasn't he?). Anyhoo it's probably the most memorable thing about Phantom Menace and easily the most beloved, OK maybe second to the Duel of the Fates sequence.

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

I feel like I heard once that the Naboo ships (maybe even the N1?) were inspired by mid-century hood ornaments.

[@chrysopylaedesign]

In Industrial Design, even w/ photo realistic computer rendered models you can rotate in 3D, the process of creating concept development models/maquettes is still essential even before touching your computer. These "knock-up" quick mock-up models/maquettes is the first 3D proof-of-concept step you take after initial drawings/sketches. It's the essential process required to have a real world 3D basis to guide you to take the next time consuming & expensive steps of building computer 3D objects & Full Scale concept models. All real decision making & modifications start at this phase; where the model in its simple form is expressing what the final product will be in real 3D space. Everything after is usually just relatively minor modifications & refinements.

[@spiscione]

the engines look like tinker toy joints!

[@ThatVideoGuyTom]

Love this. #TheMandalorian

[@KevinLockamy]

I remember that rock, that large crater has always fascinated me thinking how it might have been created in universe without destroying the whole. I think about things like that. Yes I'm weird, and damn proud of it.

[@AmazingFrenchman]

I bet now they're made as a 3D model and printed out. I know the universal griblies are modeled and archived for infinite use!

[@goodvideos.113]

You share very interesting today.

[@CBDuRietz]

If I'm not mistaken, a lot of the super star destroyer is from a Flakpanzer Gepard - including the center barrel and the gun housings.

[@boqndimitrov8693]

cool prototype destroyer.ansel xiao could make something really impressive out of it.

[@cbspock1701]

The prequels had more physical models than people think

[@MarkoDash]

i saw the big model of the Executor when they had it at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum quite a few years ago.

[@Zeaiclies]

The Millinium Falcon filming miniature, and a Patato wind up as asteroids in the ESB Asteroid field. Apparently a shoe is also one of the asteroids.

[@tracytron7162]

The proto-Executor class Super Star Destroyer reminds me a lot of the Bellator class Dreadnaught

[@whydahell3816]

Adam's friends HAIR looks like a movie prop. Hard foam core? Vacuum formed? Clay sculp? Hhmmm 🤔

[@doltBmB]

I think the original concept for vaders ship was it was to be smaller, sleeker and faster than the regular destroyers, perhaps to keep up with the falcon in the chase scenes. But in the end they went with it being the largest, most imposing one of them all instead.

[@griffinstreetstudios]

Oh the ol Prop Store episodes, teasing us with things none of us will ever be able to afford

[@Thomas_Esson]

Just FYI, though, there are plenty of more affordable yet still cool pieces to be had. A lot of folks would be astonished at what they could pick up for a couple hundred - even screen-matched items on occasion - with sufficient research, patience and flexibility. Worth checking out if you're interested.

[@griffinstreetstudios]

@@Thomas_Esson thanks, don't get me wrong though, I get tons of entertainment learning about the behind the scenes of these items. It's just hard liking things so much and knowing how expensive it would be to own them.

[@Thomas_Esson]

@@griffinstreetstudios Totally fair - virtually everything Adam features is well beyond my range, so I do the same!

[@Kraftmatic81]

@ECHenry it’s like they made this video JUST for you lol. Really hope you make a version of this early executor class!!

[@jasonbrand1984]

The back of the engine nacelles look like golf tees

[@dtuk22]

Trouble with Naboo fighter is they didn't consider how the R2 droid fits in .

[@PJ-km6xj]

Case on the left 2nd to top shelf. Matt Damon! Lol

[@TimothyONeill_84.]

👍🏻

[@dax2321]

you should do a video on the props that made the movie Titan A.E.

[@aserta]

2:43 this takes me back to Uni days, when we'd have a maquette, but before that, for the duration of the session, we'd work with a quick and dirty pre-maquette and everyone was allowed to do whatever they wanted for building it. We'd use anything and everything. We even had a bicycle rim, as part of a model once. By the end, when we'd build the actual maquette, they'd end up just as beat up, cut up and eventually parted out, back to their original form or to the bin. I think it's a great shame that this type of thing is either less utilized or largely unknown as a practice. I may disagree with Lucas on some things, but this kind of thinking and culture was what made the original trilogy so good and as i understand it, it's something that he largely wanted as part of the process.

[@aleanarobins2651]

oh damn the beed thing.. I hate watching when you explain some of the magic. Not everytime I look at a destroyer I will only see a Beed on the tower

[@Mka321]

Wait, Adam worked for ILM?!

[@tested]

Yes! Here are some of the models he made! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3aTg39sqb6jobM

[@davemlbc]

I think it's a mail star destroyer.

[@FPdesignfab]

I recall seeing photos of Steve Gawley making Empire Asteroids. I'd like to know what they used to get that physical texture on the styrofoam, under the paint. Some type of plaster?

[@brianreddeman951]

I'm waiting for a super duper duper super mega ultra star destroyer.

[@HoLeeFuks]

That gun barrel is familiar. is that a gepard AA gun in front of the star destroyer?

[@Urban_Spaceman]

well spotted, I was wondering about the large odd shapes either side of that, it is indeed the barrel and 2 breech halves of a Gepard Flakpanzer.

[@HoLeeFuks]

​@@Urban_Spaceman eyyy you're right it does look like the gepards sides. No wonder it also looked familiar. I had the tamiya 1:35 gepard. Damn now im looking for other parts.

[@purefoldnz3070]

the real question is will Adam be bidding on anything?

[@repletereplete8002]

Is that a gun barrel from a German Gepard AA running down the middle of the SSD?

[@djstumpy7399]

I want to know if Adam has ever watched Red Dwarf and if not then we need to see him do a reaction video. That and a reaction to the series Bottom especially the episode Gas

[@djstumpy7399]

In regards to Red dwarf reaction video to either quarantine , Back to Reality and gunmen of the apocalypse.

[@rolandgdean]

3720 to 1

[@danberry7570]

Adam.... has anything you made or worked on, been at the Prop Store?

[@Thomas_Esson]

Someone else asked this below. Propstore has sold at least one of his pieces as a buy-it-now - a Thermian docking bay miniature from Galaxy Quest. I thought that some miniature desk pieces from A.I. Artificial Intelligence a couple of auctions ago might have been his, but he didn't call attention to them and Kristen just commented that she wasn't aware of any showing up at auction, so perhaps not.

[@MrTomasgleeson]

Has a piece worked on by Adam ever gone up for auction?

[@tested]

Not that he's aware of, no.

[@Thomas_Esson]

Just to clarify, Propstore has sold at least one of his pieces as a buy-it-now - a Thermian docking bay miniature from Galaxy Quest. I also thought that some miniature desk pieces from A.I. Artificial Intelligence a couple of auctions ago might have been his, but he didn't call attention to them, so perhaps not.

[@MrTomasgleeson]

Thanks for the updates. I hope that something good comes up someday that Adam can talk specifically about.

[@lacrossed55]

Adam, did you see the Norris Spider Head is up for auction?? I'm in for $100 do you have the rest?😂 I mean love yours but ...screen used

[@tested]

Stay tuned for a video about it!

[@hob976]

OH MY GOD ...I saw the Team America Matt Damon puppet behind them... I'm selling my car for cash right now.

[@madArt1981]

Geodesic?

[@captainnwalps6689]

I love listening to these stories and hearing Adam’s insight but he’s hands being so close to 50 year old models give me anxiety

[@FlufLord]

4:49 TIL the word avuncular (means “like an uncle”)

[@PWNDLOKI]

🥈❤🔨🐊🧶

[@MrSteelface96]

wasd