Analyzing the High-Tech Colonial Marine APC from Aliens

Spacedock delves into the many technical details of the Colonial Marines M577 APC. #aliens
THE SOJOURN - AN ORIGINAL SCI-FI AUDIO DRAMA:
www.thesojourn...
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER:
/ @spacedock
SUPPORT SPACEDOCK:
www.patreon.co...
MERCHANDISE:
teespring.com/...
Do not contact regarding network proposals.
Battlezone II Music by Carey Chico
Spacedock does not hold ownership of the copyrighted materiel (Footage, Stills etc) taken from the various works of fiction covered in this series, and uses them within the boundaries of Fair Use for the purpose of Analysis, Discussion and Review.

[@Spacedock]

Get "Designing the Perfect Space Fighter - A Spacedock Reference Book" here! www.patreon.com/posts/77243474/

[@aking-plums6985]

Two questions: 1. Do the Colonial Marines come as standard with the M577 or are they an optional extra? 2. How many cup holders does it have?

[@ArmonMitchell]

Man of Steele Kryptonian ships please

[@robwalsh9843]

One of my few disappointments with this movie is that we never got to see the M577 shredding Xenomorphs with its armaments.

[@SteelRaven11]

Same with the drop ship, we only see those toys go to work in the games and comics that followed. In movie, the narrow corridor would make using the heavy weapons difficult without hitting the marines fleeing the swarming xenomorphs. Behind the scene, it was probable also a question of pacing as they ended up cutting allot of stuff we only see in the extended cut like the automated sentry guns.

[@aurongrande6141]

That was rectified in Dark Descent, where it had plenty of times to shred the enemy.

[@arcturionblade1077]

Yeah, that mounted turret plasma beam cannon was begging to be fired but we never saw it happen in the actual Aliens film. I'd imagine it looking and sounding like the future energy weapons in the Terminator movies.

[@jennysittinger7888]

Sadly, it fit the theme. A buncha badass Marines armed, equipped, and trained to kill almost any foe run into a threat against whom much of their equipment and weapons are useless.

[@Tank50us]

@@jennysittinger7888 I think at the same time, JC probably *wanted* a scene where these weapons went to work... but someone pointed at the budget and then probably went "It'll at least look cool on screen..."

[@StormsparkPegasus]

The main funny thing about this vehicle is how much bigger the interior set is vs the vehicle actually used on set. The actual vehicle used on set is a modified airplane tug, and it's only something like 4 feet tall. There is no way the interior set can possibly fit inside. Of course, Cameron had to use what was pratical, and the practical effects are why this movie sitll holds up after almost 40 years.

[@TheNightrider88]

Interior is so big that there is simply no place for engine and drivetrain. Even worse - there is no place for ammo in that turret.

[@arcturionblade1077]

Hammer Space, to borrow the vernacular from the Spiderverse movies.

[@stevenscott2136]

Size-mismatches like that are almost a tradition in Hollywood, going at least as far back as the Star Trek TOS shuttlecraft.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

@@stevenscott2136 There is a reason for it though. If he made a set that would realistically fit inside the vehicle, it would be pretty much impossible to film, and the set would be incredibly cramped and hard on the actors. I think the main reason the set is so big is room for the camera crew.

[@AlanGChenery]

​@@TheNightrider88the engines are in the wheels and turret is an energy weapon with everything it needs to fire 2000 times inside the turret.

[@Potrimpo]

This movie is 37 years old, yet it doesn't feel dated despite -- for example -- using CRT TV monitors rather than LCD displays.

[@justalurker3489]

I mean it works because that's still how a lot of stuff in the military or even public services work. They rarely get the shiniest newest thing, they have old, used, and scuffedtech that's been around the block. Little things like Vasquez having an older sidearm that was being phased out and the dark and grimy electronics sell the world feeling lived in instead of the pristine white sci-fi of old.

[@ReleaseTheCanines]

For me, the CRT's are what make the retro-futurism beautiful, and keeps the gritty trilogy of Alien-Alien3 consistent in their world building of dot-matrix displays, VHS recording, big clacky buttons and beepy lights. Ridley's prequels should have shown the established 22nd century Alien universe's design the same respect the Star Wars sequels and TV shows have demonstrated in that franchise (for all their narrative faults, their *technological* world-building has been very consistent with a 1970's future); whereby it's still CRT's and wire-frame readouts. Let their universes be self-contained away from the real world, we don't need internet, streaming and 4K HD in these 70s future franchises, the film-makers should let them exist in their own retro-futuristic visions, that's part of their beauty and purity. Alien Isolation proved just how terrifyingly gorgeous and artful that commitment to design is within Alien's universe and wouldn't have been the same if it had tried to be Prometheus's technology.

[@erinfinn2273]

An explanation/excuse for that: Vacuum tube displays are more resistant to radiation/electromagnetic effects, and won't freeze if exposed to hard vacuum. Then again, you can also just chalk it up to "Cassette Futurism"

[@stevenscott2136]

It's plausible that the USCM demanded their stuff be extra-rugged, and that ended up being crude-looking tech. After all, they have all the problems of soldiers AND astronauts to deal with -- corrosive atmospheres, EMP weapons, acid blood...

[@Tank50us]

@@stevenscott2136 I love the line in ADD: "It's frontier spec, You couldn't break it if you tried." "Don't give us a challenge."

[@Vastin]

Gotta give James Cameron mad props for his world design. His sci-fi worlds always seem very well thought out in terms of their technology and societies, and the military vehicles from Aliens reflect this quite well. They're all built around specific tech and military doctrines - and then of course they're badly outmatched by being thrown into a situation and environment where those doctrines simply don't apply. :D

[@TheEDFLegacy]

Just like real life right now. 😳 And I'm not just talking about the Russians. Before the 2022 invasion, the West was even considering retiring the tank because they thought they were obsolete. This war has revealed how much Western doctrine has been missing significant parts of ground doctrine, particularly artillery systems. For example, the United States lacks any mass-deployed theatre-level accurate artillery systems. They also lack short to medium ranged anti-air armored systems like the Gepard (the HMMWV Avenger is at best a stopgap since it fires Stingers). Most crucially, they're discovering to their horror that they're flashy GPS-guided systems are being jammed by the Russians. That's not to say the Russians haven't been making mistakes, though, and there's way too many to list that basically proves my point that James Cameron was spot on to have this sort of planned doctrine in this movie that ends up backfiring when facing something they hadn't planned for.

[@DarthBiomech]

IIRC colonial marines were explicitly modeled after the Vietnam war marines, from the soldiers attitude to the vehicle and armor designs inspiration.

[@scottishscott3504]

Just driving this thing around from one end of a city to another would be a nightmare with its low ground clearance. In combat, this would be a death trap one mine or IED, and everyone is fried. The turret on the top would probably break when you needed it most because of its impractical reason for going to the side.

[@Zack_Wester]

@@scottishscott3504 it apparently can raise/lower its gear sadly it been what it was (in real life) its never shown doing that. 3:20 this is the part where he talks about it... that said im not sure if thats in the original master book made for the first movie or if they added it later (as a have always been there we just never mention it in the book because we did not think of it until some expert pointed it out).

[@MrSwccguy]

Incorrect that doctrine applies

[@EksaStelmere]

I gotta say, I REALLY love how fixated on weight reduction the design was. The true engineer's experience.

[@frankharr9466]

Not that I'm an engineer, but I get that.

[@dazofthemoo1531]

Terrible design. Zero ground clearance, and zero suspension travel. Absolutely useless on anything bar race track conditions.

[@EksaStelmere]

​@@dazofthemoo1531 Probably would be better with treads in that sense, but I doubt the marines are solely fighting in rugged terrain. I'd even dare to say MOST space marine combat is urban warfare with roads. Really depends on some clarification on the specs vs depiction ratio.

[@1tokeover]

@@dazofthemoo1531yeah we know, but if you read about the creation of this vehicle for the movie they had to reduce the weight by a lot.

[@tomasburian6550]

The only thing I'd change if I could would be to make the vehicle longer, seems awfully shorter than it ideally should be.

[@koiyujo1543]

yes the classic sci-fi APC that actually makes sense! yet it has so much fire power it could be consider an IFV or AFV

[@deneshkandiah2194]

Its not bad. It looks a combination of the boxer ifv and the new heavy ifv that russian and china has. the biggest issues are that its too low to the ground, and the location of the main gun is suboptimal.

[@haydnp7144]

You could possibly put it in a new class of vehicle altogether like a C.I.F.V (Combat Infantry Fighting Vehicle) due to its troop capacity, command and control elements and fire support.

[@koiyujo1543]

@@deneshkandiah2194 actually it would make sense it would be easier to get in and out of the vehicle instead of a ramp

[@koiyujo1543]

@@haydnp7144 Putting the work combat wouldn't make much of a difference I mean isn't an IFV already a combat vehicle yet if you look at Poland's IFV their a wheeled vehicle that has good troop capacity

[@koiyujo1543]

@@deneshkandiah2194 plus Mr. Obvious if you haven't heard in the vid they said that this vehicle had a size and weight limit which is why it's so low to the ground so it could fit into the drop ship

[@drunkill]

The airplane tug the APC was built around is a Hunslett ATT77, in the newest Aliens game Aliens: Dark Descent the hotshot pilot character is named Hunslet, nice easter egg

[@arcturionblade1077]

Talk about a wink and a nudge, lol.

[@AlanGChenery]

And she gets to actually dog fight! Lol.

[@DarkTraveler09]

Honestly, the M577 APC is amongst my top favorite scifi vehicles. Mostly for what was covered in this video, light, fast, durable, and armed to the teeth for a vehicle of its size.

[@vladimirmihnev9702]

By the looks of it, off-road mobility should be horrible. It should at least have one more axel, or even better tracks.

[@tsorevitch2409]

​@@vladimirmihnev9702original designs from JK sketches were way better in this regards, but due to significantl budget constant film crew have to make it out of the stuff they can get for cheap, and it was used airplane tow truck. And no wonder airplane tow truck have no requirements on off-road performance. Aliens would looks significantly different of JK would film it now with CGI and basically unlimited budget that he can get due to his film record

[@vladimirmihnev9702]

@@tsorevitch2409 I know, I was ignoring IRL stuff. And speaking as if in the Alien universe. I love the movie, but it's not perfect, nothing is. Thanks for explaining. Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@kylereese4822]

The APC would with some changes for different tasks it would be perfect for a zombie apocalypse... Mine would be made from 40 tonne truck parts, 5+mm plate steel with a scaffold type inner frame with 5+mm inner shell, possibly 8 wheels, 8 wheel steering 8 wheel drive, lifting crane for shifting cars ect, electric and diesel drive, Diesel engine(s) not in suspected places

[@cgi2002]

​@@vladimirmihnev9702you'd think so, as it looks to have really poor ground clearance, but that's because its movie setup has it (for practical reasons) with the wheels set at minimal clearance. It's actual clearance is over 50cm (similar to a modern wheeled military transport) and the wheels themselves are spiked (when needed). This guide only takes from the technical specs in the manual, but it's spec's in various books and other media show it to be far more capable in various regards (for example this has 3 turret types, assorted media I am aware of has that in excess of 5 including a pair of autocannons and a missile launcher).

[@SteelRaven11]

I love the designs from Aliens, just so well thought out and the Colonial Marine Technical Manual did such a great adding so much depth. You can see the influences (ether similar idea or improving on that idea) in so many other franchises, it really did set the bar for the works that followed.

[@KMCA779]

honestly, I had no idea we had so much information on it.

[@kingssman2]

As a Star Citizen player, I can't help but notice how much that game's URSA Rover took inspiration from the M577 APC.

[@FearlessSon]

So, so much of the aesthetics of military sci-fi were codified by this film.

[@KMCA779]

Star Cit has been called out a few times for using designs that are a little too close to other IP's. It doesn't surprise me in the least. Theft or not, they got good tastes in starship design... now if only they could finish the game that's been in production longer than some of its players have been alive.

[@TheEDFLegacy]

​@@KMCA779The Eve player in me immediately noticed the Drake Vulture looking suspiciously similar to the ORE Venture. Heck, all but two of the letters are the same!

[@scoutguard3015]

I wish i could play star citizen

[@be-noble3393]

A classic sci-fi APC.

[@mitwhitgaming7722]

We need more APCs in Sci-fi!

[@Vastin]

I know Spacedock mostly sticks to movies and TV shows, but someday it'd be great to see a breakdown on the Bolo series, if we're leaning into amusingly over-the-top sci fi tanks.

[@earlware4322]

I only read a couple of the BOLO books, but loved 💙 the Hammer's Spammers series. Always thought their weapon systems and atomic hover-tanks sounded realistic for a future society. Would absolutely LOVE to see either make it to the big screen (or streaming services for that matter).

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

A classic from a masterpiece of a sci-fi film in Aliens.

[@AlRoderick]

I think the clearest parallel to it today is the Stryker. It's an urban vehicle designed to patrol in urbanized areas on roads, which is sensible given that the Colonial Marines are primarily active in space colonies, which are mostly cities. That's why it can pull the turret down to clear low obstacles. It doesn't need off-road performance, if you need to cross the wilderness you dropped in the wrong place.

[@Tank50us]

Why drive through the woods to get to the city on the other side when you call down the wise-ass to fly you there?

[@legbreaker2762]

@@Tank50usbecause when you're flying, you're skeet.

[@Tank50us]

@@legbreaker2762 ok? Have you seen the amount of weapons a Cheyenne carries? You better hope your first shot is a KO, because of you miss, there won't be anything left to identify you.

[@scottishscott3504]

This is a tacticool design, not a practical design.

[@Tank50us]

@@scottishscott3504 it's a bit more practical than you might think. Imagine having a craft that can take off or land anywhere you need it too, and deploy an AFV directly into battle the moment it's WOW light is on. They do say that the suspension can raise or lower, something that current AFVs can do.

[@RoballTV]

Ripleys 'get away from her' line gives me chills every time. She's such a boss.

[@mattwilson8298]

The amount of military sci-fi technobabble in the video is just breathtaking

[@tomasburian6550]

Right? I was thinking if he was already making it up on the go after the first half of the video.

[@johnsteiner3417]

This was the first sci-fi movie that took a hard-nosed look at future militaries, both technology and operation.

[@cpt_bill366]

Having just been through Vietnam and still in the depths of the Cold War this was a time when many people were taking a hard-nosed look at future military forces, in both technology and operation. The desperate struggle of fighting an enemy that simply won't fight on your terms is well reflected in Aliens.

[@stevenscott2136]

Cameron himself said the Colonial Marines were heavily based on what Vietnam veterans had told him about the whole experience.

[@TheEDFLegacy]

To be honest, James Cameron was pretty much spot-on with what is showing to be needed in the modern-day. Heck, he pretty much predicted the LAV II-III in terms of high-speed, wheeled, heavily-armed IFV's, and subsequently the modern technology that we are now seeing in the most latest of vehicles, such as 360-degree camera views, and remotely control turrets To be frank, with some modifications to the concept with modern realities, and adding some wheels, the concept actually has some merit in the modern day. The low profile is actually a huge benefit since the high silhouette can get you in deep trouble, and the ground clearance issues can be solved with an air ride suspension.

[@johnsteiner3417]

@@TheEDFLegacy Just so long as you manage your tire maintenance... Unlike some other militaries I could mention. *stares at Ivan* 😁

[@TheEDFLegacy]

@@johnsteiner3417 _"IVAN! FOR THE LAST TIME, _*_PUT AWAY THE VODKA!"_*

[@RavenWolffe77]

8:30 The M577-A had HELLBORES as a main weapon??? Wowzers!

[@earnestbrown6524]

Somewhere a Bolo is so proud.

[@RavenWolffe77]

@@earnestbrown6524 M577-A is a baby Bolo :P

[@arthurchadwell9267]

"... they even stood up to full Hellebore fire..." "The Last Command "

[@DaytonaRoadster]

the M41A pulse rifles from this movie are one of the most iconic firearms ever made...95% due to the sound of the rifle itself :)

[@warmonger2500]

There is seriously something cool about the way James Cameron sees things. When he puts military vehicles, and equipment, onto the screen you can see the thought and the artists eye for cool behind it. Despite being completely made-up sci-fi they feel realistic and usable. A lot of thought goes into them and that makes them cool even when it's the bad guys using them.

[@Ides_0f_March]

fighting bugs with armor support but only on perfectly flat surfaces (colonial marines) or fighting bugs without any armor support (starship troopers)

[@CptJistuce]

Full NBC-sealed power armor suits is "without armor support"?

[@stevenscott2136]

He probably means the movie. Ever read John Steakley's "Armor"? If you liked Starship Troopers (the book), you'll like "Armor".

[@czernovog]

I've got to say, I'm really enjoying these forays into Sci fi tech outside of spacecraft. Keep it up!

[@zooniethelazoon]

And when it wasn't doing this, it towed Boeing 747's from airport aprons!

[@ericzaiz8358]

Honestly the biggest issue the ground clearance. Even with the system going up to 30 cm, that hinestly still too low for a vehicle of this size. 40cm or more would be far better. May not sound like much but with this thing size and weight it will make massive amount of difference.

[@Vastin]

Yes, for its long body profile the clearance was definitely insufficient. However, this is exactly the kind of bad tradeoff you might expect from a vehicle that's entire raison-d’etre is to be stuffed into a drop ship, and patrolling around cities and colony settlements with (hopefully) paved streets. The lift suspension would presumably help, but for practical FX reasons we didn't get to see that in action in the movie. ;P

[@ReleaseTheCanines]

The APC is the one of the most tacti-cool vehicles in all of sci-fi (and especially horror), but yeah I can imagine this thing just caught helplessly like a see-saw even on the most gentle of speed-bumps in my local village.

[@arcturionblade1077]

Not to mention the flat bottom of the vehicle being a prime weakness to IEDs and explosions from underneath. It's why modern military APCs have angled V-shaped bottom armor to better redirect the force of an IED explosion. 5 cm of foam isn't going to protect much.

[@jarowan]

While beautiful, yeah, the ground clearance made it completely impractical outside flat pavement with no rubble or obstructions. The most realistic thing about it was that it immediately brlew a transaxle when it went off road in Aliens.

[@Strykenine]

When you pick this up in Aliens: Dark Descent it's a nice upgrade and looks much better than the one they start you with.

[@gabrielinostroza4989]

The Recon vehicle in Dark Descent is actually somewhat based off the concept art for the APC during the movie's production, it's really cool how the devs paid homage to that

[@hawkeye5955]

Not only that, it allows 5 marines to be deployed instead of 4.

[@alexeyvlasenko6622]

The coolest thing about it is that it's bigger on the inside. That's some Time Lord-level technology right there. Trivial to someone who understands the fifth dimension, I'm sure.

[@montithered4741]

Aliens is near the pinnacle of science fiction for me. Practical effects at a master level.

[@arthurchadwell9267]

I wish these guys made the Starship Troopers movie.

[@doemacmonkey]

“Get away from her you Demonitized!” I’ve had my plane backed away from the gate by a few M577 APCs, good to see the Colonial Marines helping civilians out sometimes!

[@thestanleys3657]

"game over man game over!!!!"-Hudson

[@eotwdave]

Very good, but I had hoped the video would at least mention the (considerably less capable) actual M577 variant of the M113 APC that the thing is named after. I used to drive one when I was a young man.

[@houndsofmeath3376]

Friend, I just watched aliens like 2 days ago for the first time and forever and it brought me back to your channel to look at some of the other colonial marine stuff you covered. So happy you just posted this

[@hoojiwana]

You're welcome! - hoojiwana from Spacedock

[@iain-duncan]

You know its a James Cameron film when the APC designed purely to look cool also has full technical documentation about the layout, materials, and component makeup of the entire vehicle. Love Cameron

[@spaghetti7782]

The actual design and profile of it seems kind of silly to me but it's interesting to see how well other things like camouflage and armor were thought out

[@travcollier]

The constraint for transportation/drop is a big one.

[@spaghetti7782]

@@travcollier that's part of what confuses me though. Wouldn't the ability to carry an APC be a design consideration for the drop ship as well? The low profile both for compactness and stealth sacrifices ground clearance, approach/departure angle, as well as space for cargo/fuel/troops. These would all be larger considerations for a space marine APC required to operate with little support on rough terrain in my opinion. The 180° turret on the front also doesn't seem worth the weight and loss of visibility to me when they could have just put a smaller machine gun there or something. Overall the lore is pretty well thought out but the design looks like the result of trying to slap together something that looks sci-fi out of an aircraft tug relatively quickly

[@shagrat47]

@libya6264 - I wouldn't consider a variable 22cm to a maximum of 52cm of ground clearance as "sacrificing". 14 seats including driver and tactical command is similar to any other APC. The turret adds considerable firepower, beyond any MachineGun, while the visibility with cameras is better than in most APCs today using mirrors and periscopes. Combining all these into a lightweight compact "brickshape" that optimized storage space on a spaceship, it looks like a very good design for its purpose, fulfilling all operational requirements... Even if we consider the "lore" has likely been created after the movie.😊

[@travcollier]

@@spaghetti7782 Which came first, the dropship or the egg... I mean APC ;) I'd guess that the dropship cargo size is based on some standard container sizing which is probably based on some other stuff which goes back to the size of horse butts or something. The front turret seems dumb to me too. BTW: Do a web search for "Shadow RST-V". Actual military vehicle developed 1997-2010s. Never put into production, but very cool. Major design constraint was fitting on a V22 Osprey.

[@stevenscott2136]

​@@spaghetti7782 The dropship was probably in service first. Once a military has a major investment in vehicles, training, support infrastructure, and so on, they can be incredibly reluctant to switch out for something new. All the more so if the generals making the decision used the same equipment in combat when they were young lieutenants. The modern US is not a good model, as lobbyist bribes to congressmen and "staff weenies" at the Pentagon frequently overrule the good sense of experienced soldiers and accountants.

[@skyborne80]

I'm not so sure there'd be enough room inside the vehicle for all the things talked about in this video. But that doesn't take anything away from the badassery of it!

[@tymek200101]

What a well-thought through design which despite its sci-fi tech manages to feel grounded and almost realistic through clear restrictions imposed on it

[@paulcadden4967]

Always loved this vehicle, with it's brilliant design and loadout. Tho I always thought the stated thickness of the armour was disturbingly thin for even being able to stop the small arms and frag

[@spunkmire2664]

I’m a drop ship kinda guy myself. Great ramps and handrails! No bathrooms though.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

A pretty outrageous amount of detail, more then a mouthful, the people who wrote all that, researched it, must have had a real fun time!

[@Graves-81_69]

It’s so cool to me that people still go through the weapons and machines of Aliens. Several years ago I acquired the permits necessary to build a live firing pulse rifle replica. I wish I could build a smart gun, but I’m not willing to desecrate a MG 41 or 42

[@danbeasley6135]

Incredible amount of information in a short and entertaining fashion. Nicely done Sir!

[@norm3380]

This movie always left me wondering, what else are the Colonial Marines fighting?

[@CptJistuce]

We know they'd been called out for other "bug hunts" before. So apparently extraterrestrial wildlife suppression. But yeah, Alien and Aliens are both good at feeling like part of a larger universe.

[@arcturionblade1077]

In the future, the Americas were the capitalists and the Colonial Marines were formed to defend their interests in space. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and China formed the communist UPP (I believe) and they opposed the Colonial Marines. It's detailed in the Gibson story treatment for the original unused Alien 3 script (now turned into graphic novel and Audiobook).

[@stevenscott2136]

It literally says "Bug Stompers" on the side of the dropship, with a clever graphic of an eagle wearing big stompy shoes.

[@HailHydra27]

I dunno but I'd rather watch a movie about them doing that than yet another xenomorph prequel

[@Colin_]

Theyre used against the Just Stop Oil activists so by this time in the future theyve gone the heavy weapons route to take care of the problem lol.

[@eddiebernays6809]

As a former station-wagon and van owner, I was pretty excited when you alluded to this in a previous video. Cyber truck can eat it, this is what the people want.

[@tlshortyshorty5810]

Funny how I’ve been looking at futuristic APCs (the Tumbler Batmobile and the Landmaster) and this pops up

[@brennonlewis]

The M557 APC and the AMP suit are two advanced pieces of tech we don't get to see enough of

[@unknown9126]

That thing's main gun sure beats my phased plasma rifle in the 40watt range. Great video

[@TeraQuad]

This is one of my top favorite videos here at Spacedock. Heck of a job!!!

[@thomaslamb8635]

I never knew there was so much detail and thought out into these vehicles and weapons. Got to say, out of all the sci-if movies I seen growing up, this APC and the Cheyenne drop ship was by far the coolest. It seemed then, and even now, like it was definitely something our military would develop in the near distant future. Certainly within the scope of future technology, but still very much achievable.

[@Alex113234]

Well, i guess it's time to rewatch Aliens again.

[@jonmcgee6987]

I loved the design for this APC a great deal. In some Sci-Fi stories I continue to work on. A modified version of this is the standard light APC used.

[@ricksheard1093]

literally the Colonial Marines Technical manual word for word

[@greggv8]

The aircraft tug that was modified to make the movie vehicle was pretty neat. 635 horsepower Cummins turbo diesel. Available with front and rear cabs or front cab only. The cabs could raise and lower with a 1.5 foot range of motion. The engine is in the middle, offset to one side with a GPU (Ground Power Unit) bay on the side where the movie vehicle has the door. The tug was loaded down with a huge amount of ballast weights to aid traction for moving large aircraft. Those weights were removed by the people who gave it the Aliens makeover. It would be neat to build a full scale replica with an exact copy of the internal set inside. Same for the Star Trek TOS shuttle.

[@ameelmd]

Great styling on the video, I was used to the previous styling that this impressively took me off guard. Great way of editing for a vehicle that has limited footage available, want to revisit the Sulaco again? Jokes aside, great dives and videos as always.

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

Prior to being converted and outfitted for combat use, the M577 was used as a tug for aircraft back on Earth. (not canon, I know. The M577 is based on an actual aircraft tug, the Hunslett ATT77.)

[@deanlawson6880]

Wow! What an intense beast this armored vehicle is! Amazing!

[@awesomehpt8938]

State of the badass art!

[@steveb6616]

Damn!!! This is a fictional vehicle yet i feel like i just went through a technical manual!

[@darthprime4916]

One of my fav pop culture vehicles and love it’s based off real life airport vehicle. Badass, wish it had more screen time.

[@MrMaximkozin]

Behind the scenes this is an aircraft towing vehicle disguised to look like an APC, we would hook it to the nose wheel of Boeings raise them, and have a guy in the cockpit to release the brakes. Visibility was crucial when moving forwards and backwards, and to avoid the need for 2 driver compartments, it's single compartment could be raised above the engine compartment and the driver just span his seat and steering wheel backwards.

[@JohnSagin-SimViDeLucis579]

AlienTheorys video about this is badass, im glad to see spacedocks !

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

The IAV Stryker used by the main characters in Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem was included as an homage to the M577 in Aliens.

[@meshugganator08]

Throughout the years this has always been my go to vehicle. I can’t think of anything that I would rather drive on the road anytime I think of style I think of this best vehicle ever made for a sci-fi movie.

[@teck_3]

I like this APC. I must recreate it in Space Engineers.

[@RazorX86]

The original machine had a base plate of pre-famulated amulite surmounted by a malleable logarithmic casing in such a way that the two spurving bearings were in a direct line with the panametric fan. The latter consisted simply of six hydrocoptic marzlevanes, so fitted to the ambifacient lunar waneshaft that side fumbling was effectively prevented. The main winding was of the normal lotus-o-delta type placed in panendermic semi-boloid slots of the stator, every seventh conductor being connected by a non-reversible tremie pipe to the differential girdle spring on the “up” end of the grammeters.

[@DarthBiomech]

But could it reverse the polarity of radiation capacitors?

[@zephron28]

That was an excellent breakdown, well done!

[@TroyBrophy]

If there's a motor in each wheel, then the line, "Ripley, you've blown the transaxle! You're just grinding metal!" makes no sense.

[@_andyemcee_]

Marines, we are Leaving!

[@charles1890]

One of my FAVORITE movies. Have the RPG and Miniatures Game. Thanks so much!!

[@kitirena_koneko]

This is one of my all-time favorite vehicles, and it was wonderful seeing a proper video about its design and capabilities! If I could be so bold, could you possibly do a video on my other all-time favorite, the Landmaster I from the movie Damnation Alley? It definitely deserves a video like this IMHO!

[@DanielSolis]

Now I'm wondering about the sociopolitical situation in colonial space that required such a heavily armed APC *before* contact with the xenomorphs.

[@arcturionblade1077]

In the future, the Americas were the capitalists and the Colonial Marines were formed to defend their interests in space. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and China formed the communist UPP (I believe) and they opposed the Colonial Marines. It's detailed in the Gibson story treatment for the original unused Alien 3 script (now turned into graphic novel and Audiobook).

[@stevenscott2136]

Since the dropship had "Bug Stompers" painted on the side, and the team talked about "bug hunts", I would imagine that USCM kept busy protecting colonies from alien wildlife -- which was apparently arthropods often enough for "bug" to become standard slang. Plus, the occasional colony deciding to rebel would be pretty much inevitable.

[@Tank50us]

@@stevenscott2136 Part of that actually comes not from the script, but from the requirements James Cameron imposed on the actors and effects team. One of which was that everyone had to read Starship Troopers, wherein the Pseudoarchnids are often just called "bugs". Now, one possibility is that maybe the Marines actually fought such a species, which is where the unit gets it's name and slogan. However, the LT hinted that the USCM had encountered the Xenomorph before, but it wasn't that well known "The what sir?" "The Xenomorph." "It's a Bug hunt." But yeah, as well as dealing with hostile colonists, or adversarial nations, there's other reasons to want the APC to be armored to the 9s... We know from our studies of other worlds (Don't ask me how), that certain atmospheric conditions can be a bit hazardous, and if you need to transport a bunch of marines to a planet where that's a possibility, you'll want all the protection you can get. Imagine landing on a planet, and while you're entering the colony a volcano decides that now is a good time to erupt... the amount of debris that'll kick up and hurtle towards the APC would certainly require a good level of protection.

[@Vastin]

Presumably there's conflict with other human colonial factions, don't think there's anything like a world govt. Though given the way the corporations treat people in this universe, I bet the Marines spend more time suppressing unrest in their own colonies than anything else.

[@jipillow1]

This movie was one of my favorites in the 90s

[@WillDa713]

at last, here it is. thank you for the upload

[@blagojpejov4155]

Nice Work on this Apc

[@souplike.homogenate]

"We need something like engineering .. fanfiction." spacedock: "I got you, fam"

[@collguyjoe99]

Got to Meet OG Spacedock in Boston Last weekend!

[@DarthBiomech]

Well, now you have to do one for the UD-4L as well.

[@IXSigmaXI]

awesome description of the plasma beam!

[@thetruth45678]

The movie was way ahead of its time with that active thermal camouflage, which we're just putting into use in modern vehicles.

[@DrBunnyMedicinal]

Well, that was fast and very impressively thorough! 👏👏👏

[@prof.badfellow9868]

Little known fact: Lock-Mart Industries wanted to add mud flaps to protect the stowed turret. Also, the original spinning rims were deemed as cost prohibitive by the USCM brass

[@sandordugalin8951]

Hands down one of my favourite fictional vehicles of all time.

[@AflacMan13]

"Hypergolic Binary Propellant it sprayed onto each round once it was in the chamber." Woooow. The 80's scienc-ey mumbo wumbo jumbowas STRRRRROOOONG with whoever came up with that one! 😂😂😂

[@anon_y_mousse]

The funny thing is that it's not actually mumbo jumbo, it's just kind of redundant and an odd and unworkable concept.

[@robertgriffin662]

Fun fact: They actual M-577 is/was a derivative of M-113 tracked APC. Was a command post vehicle

[@aledwalters8977]

What about a vehicle breakdown of rda vehicles from avatar the way of water: because with the return of the rda in the sequel they return with new vehicles and people would be interested.

[@thegrayknight71]

Great video. Thx. This is my absolutely favourite sci-fi vehicle. Too bad its 3.5 meters wide so driving it on normal roads would be difficult.

[@CarolusMagnus2501]

The reason that the M577 seems so real is that it's literally a real vehicle (an airplane tug) and the steering is literally just a Vulcan bomber cockpit.

[@Threvlin]

The promised video has arrived.

[@2Potates]

Probably one of my favorite sci-fi vehicles.

[@gussygoro2469]

Glad this video explained that it wasn’t a low rider. I always thought it was vulnerable to medium sized pebble wedgies.

[@theewatchfuleyeseesyou]

This vehicle has actually a lot of tech that makes a lot of sense damn

[@Treveli45]

Wondering how much we'd have to pester Gaijin to make a premium M577. Class it as an IFV, balance the weapon damage to comparable modern weapons. But, give the laser/PB/plasma cannon visual effects for each sci-fi weapon. Silly as hell, but it's obvious how many would shell out $50 for it.

[@kronosbot5]

I would love to see an expansion of this vehicle's "family;" variants of the M577 designed as dedicated mobile command, medical, and logistics vehicles would make for a great mechanized infantry detachment.

[@resurgam_b7]

I love the explanation of the plasma cannons. I've never really liked the Star Wars or Halo explanations of magnetically forming a bolt and shooting that since plasma would immediately dissipate upon leaving the muzzle since the magnetic field isn't maintained by anything. Firing down a laser beam makes much more sense (though still not really how physics works :P ). At least it takes into account the fact that you can't just fold up a magnetic field and throw it at something, it needs to be maintained in order to provide continuous containment of the plasma.

[@mattmc9812]

Plasma in halo meant to be something far more advanced beyond human means as most plasma weapons are utilised by the covenant

[@shardinhand1243]

awesome video, thank you!

[@DrownedInExile]

"Interior of the vehicle somewhat cramped." Compared to IVFs of today? The APC is practically luxurious!

[@cursedmonkey1033]

Someone really should make a modern injection molded kit of this. Preferably 1.35. That would make me seriously so happy.

[@shagrat47]

Glorious!!! Thank you!😊

[@maundamartin59]

"ARE YOU READY "TO GET IT ONNNN!!!!!!!😂😂😂

[@maundamartin59]

When you think about it. They should have USED THIS VEHICLES ARMAMENTS TO FIGHT THE ALIENS.