Colonial Marines M56 "Smart
Gun"
Perhaps the most loved SciFi
weapon of all time (okay, okay...this is my opinion) is the M56 "Smart
Gun" weilded by Colonial Marines Drake and Vasquez in Aliens.
Accodring to the Colonial Marines Technical Manual, this fearsome
weapon locks onto target using an infrared tracking system, hence the designation
"Smart Gun."
The actual weapon is a modified
German MG34 machine gun. (You can see this gun in Saving Private
Ryan, in use by the German troops) Most of the added "acessories"
are actually bicycle parts, including grips, a brake lever, and front suspension.
The weapon is stabilized using a steady-cam harness. Steady-cams
are used by filmakers to keep the camera from moving while the camera operator
walks along.
I am currently undertaking
the ambitious project of building my own Smart Gun model. Hopefully,
it will be completed in time for display at upcoming conventions.
I'll post pictures here as I get them.
Back
to Gallery
Back
to Homepage