War Games SFX

Terry Reed was the SFX model supervisor. The Hawks were built by Martin Bower. At the studio Terry removed the command module and fitted a bulb, which flashed on screen to simulate the guns. SFX art director Cyril Forster then painted on the orange trim and the front viewport panels white, instead of black (like the Eagles).

Terry Reed working on the Hawk, Cyril Forster working on the 44 inch Eagle.

Terry Reed making adjustments to the 22 inch Eagle.

The 44 inch Eagle lands on the planet landing pad. This is the model seen in front of Terry Reed. In the behind the scenes photos, it has not yet been decorated. As it was seen from slightly below, it is likely only the underside was decorated.

Terry Reed working on the planet landing pad, fitting one of the strips that can be seen on the side. Immediately behind the model is the 44 inch Eagle launch pad building, the small Hawk, and 22 inch and 11 inch Eagles. On the left the larger Hawk can be seen, as well as the battlecruiser, sitting on a stool.

Cyril Forster working on the planet main building. The underside has been detailed, but not the top dome. Behind is the dart board and scores ("D" may be cameraman David Litchfield, "R" may be Ron Burton). A handy tube of Ajax cleaner stands nearby.

The building as it appears in the episode.

Koenig's Eagle docks with Alan, as seen in the episode.

The Eagles during filming.

The explosions at the end of the episode War Games.

These behind the scenes shots show the planet surface set. This is the portrait gallery of Down Place, the country house on the banks of the Thames that was the centre of Bray Studios.

One wall is covered by a large painted sky backdrop. Dirt, rocks and plants have been placed directly on the wooden floorboards to make the planet surface. At least one small alien building can be seen on the set. Alongside, on the floorboards to the left, other buildings can be seen. Large lights are positioned around (to the top right, behind the lights, the large Moon model is visible).

Nick Allder is crouching bottom right, watching through a perspex screen. A little in front of him is the electronics board that fires the explosives (notice the wires leading to the explosions). Unusually, there are two cameras, covered with white plastic to protect them, with the cameramen lying on cardboard. One cameraman lies on a sign reading "Do not move the steps!"

Sparks cover the cameramen, despite them lying behind wooden boards.

Below: a different explosion sequence.