Concept "doodle" sketch of the refinery platform done by Martin Bower during construction of the model.

EMA plastic box section and perspex sheet were used for the basic construction of the Refinery Platform towers. Martin is seen here beginning detailing.

Following a one-to one meeting with Ridley Scott, where the Director demonstrated how he wanted a piece of machinery like a giant hand to push the Nostromo clear of the Platform, Martin Bower did this sketch from which the final design evolved.

The Narcissus in its completed “garage”. The garage had many working parts but very few made it into the final film.

Art dept assistant Stuart Rose checks out detailing on the Narcissus.

 The animatronic Alien hand used for close-ups.

Martin’s miniature model of Kanes burial shroud was carved in wood and fired from a fishermans catapult to acheive the shot of it being fired out of the hatch on Nostromo!

 Part of the large scale refinery built in scale with the 8ft Nostromo for the undocking sequence.

Martin works on the refinery: but note the beginnings of the main Nostromo hull standing on its end in the background. Photo © copyright B. Pearson

A concept painting by H.R.Giger of the derelict. Compare this with photo 30. of the same section of the completed model.

 The Alien Derelict on the miniature planet set in Dec 1977. It was so cold on the stage the smoke clouds lay in beautifully realistic layers.

One of the refinery towers during alterations asked for by Ridley Scott. The 4 top "cotton reel" shapes were actually additional fibreglass castings taken from the mould made for the large landing leg model!

The final version of the Refinery with all the spires removed.

The Nostromo clamp arm which was built in scale with the large 8ft model. It extended approx 20feet outwards. The shot where Nostromo is seen being pushed away from the Refinery by the arm was achieved by having the Nostromo attached to a fork-lift truck. The truck then drove away parallel from the platform pulling the arm (with the Nostromo attached to it) out as it did so.

The early stages of the Narcissus showing its basic steel box section and perspex framing

The interior of the Narcissus’ “garage”. The hatchway, built by Bill Pearson, exactly matched the full-size set. but he need not have bothered since it is never seen in the final film!

Producer Gordon Carroll, Modeller Shirley Denny and Director Ridley Scott watch stuntman Roy Scammel test a rig used in the final sequence where the Aien is ejected from the Shuttlecraft.

A close-up of the Alien’s head showing how a real human skull was incorporated into Giger’s design. This is barely evident once the clear carapace was added over the top of the head.

The large scale Nostromo landing leg seen only briefly as the craft touches down.

The basic polystyrene sculpture of the Alien Derelict before detailing. The model was approx 10 feet across!

Completed model

The miniature interior engine room set of the Nostromo. This was completely redesigned and rebuilt for the final film. However, the towers were taken by Ridley Scott and used as extra engines on the back of the Nostromo.

Close-up of the refinery while it was still in its "Gothic Spire" stage

The first version of the Refinery Platform with all its Gothic spires - before Ridley Scott attacked it with a hammer and chisel!

Following a visit to Shepperton Studios to photograph the full-size back half of the shuttle craft which had been built for the final sequence, Martin Bower did this side elevation sketch of the “Narcissus” on which he based his final perspex master model. Artist Ron Cobb had done a rear view concept drawing, but no one had a clear idea of how the front half of the craft looked! This sketch also shows Martin’s design “doodle” for the release clamp that lowers “Narcissus” from the Nostromo.

The Narcissus before final detail is added.

A latex 6 fingered Alien hand before painting. This was worn like a glove by mime artist Bolaji Badejo who played the Alien.

Ridley Scott and Shirley Denny watch stuntman Roy Scammel. Scammel’s costume was an entirely different proportion to that worn by Bolaji Badejo. This seems to be the costume most Alien kits were based on since they are all far too human in proportion.

The nose radar on the enlarged cabin section of Nostromo was fully functional, but once again shots where it is seen moving were cut from the final film.

The Nostromo cabin section was built in 1/24th scale in order for TV screens to be built into the model for shots where the crew are seen inside whilst on the planets surface.

Modeller Peter Voysey applies detailing in Plasticine to the Alien derelict. More than 100 one Ib packets were used on the model!

The derelict during filming on the planet surface. The rocks were made from real cow bones and during the summer the smell on the stage got pretty rank!

One of the redesigned engine room towers incoporating over 200 “Airfix” space shuttle kit parts!