Analyzing the High-Tech Colonial Marine APC from Aliens

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 445

  • @Spacedock
    @Spacedock  ปีที่แล้ว +46

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

    • @aking-plums6985
      @aking-plums6985 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      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
      @ArmonMitchell ปีที่แล้ว

      Man of Steele Kryptonian ships please

  • @robwalsh9843
    @robwalsh9843 ปีที่แล้ว +813

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

    • @SteelRaven11
      @SteelRaven11 ปีที่แล้ว +86

      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
      @aurongrande6141 ปีที่แล้ว +46

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

    • @arcturionblade1077
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      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
      @jennysittinger7888 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      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
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@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
    @StormsparkPegasus ปีที่แล้ว +304

    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
      @TheNightrider88 ปีที่แล้ว +22

      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
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +11

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

    • @stevenscott2136
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +18

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

    • @StormsparkPegasus
      @StormsparkPegasus ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@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
      @AlanGChenery ปีที่แล้ว +15

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

  • @Jesse_359
    @Jesse_359 ปีที่แล้ว +332

    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
      @TheEDFLegacy ปีที่แล้ว +14

      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
      @DarthBiomech ปีที่แล้ว +18

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

    • @scottishscott3504
      @scottishscott3504 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      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
      @Zack_Wester ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@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
      @MrSwccguy ปีที่แล้ว

      Incorrect that doctrine applies

  • @EksaStelmere
    @EksaStelmere ปีที่แล้ว +165

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

    • @frankharr9466
      @frankharr9466 ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @dazofthemoo1531
      @dazofthemoo1531 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @EksaStelmere
      @EksaStelmere ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@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
      @1tokeover 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@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
      @tomasburian6550 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @SteelRaven11
    @SteelRaven11 ปีที่แล้ว +60

    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
      @KMCA779 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @Potrimpo
    @Potrimpo ปีที่แล้ว +90

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

    • @justalurker3489
      @justalurker3489 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      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
      @ReleaseTheCanines ปีที่แล้ว +12

      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
      @erinfinn2273 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      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
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      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
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@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."

  • @drunkill
    @drunkill ปีที่แล้ว +38

    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
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Talk about a wink and a nudge, lol.

    • @AlanGChenery
      @AlanGChenery ปีที่แล้ว +6

      And she gets to actually dog fight! Lol.

  • @koiyujo1543
    @koiyujo1543 ปีที่แล้ว +210

    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
      @deneshkandiah2194 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      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
      @haydnp7144 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      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
      @koiyujo1543 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @koiyujo1543
      @koiyujo1543 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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
      @koiyujo1543 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@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

  • @DarkTraveler09
    @DarkTraveler09 ปีที่แล้ว +57

    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
      @vladimirmihnev9702 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @tsorevitch2409
      @tsorevitch2409 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@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
      @vladimirmihnev9702 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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
      @kylereese4822 ปีที่แล้ว

      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
      @cgi2002 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@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).

  • @be-noble3393
    @be-noble3393 ปีที่แล้ว +51

    A classic sci-fi APC.

  • @RoballTV
    @RoballTV ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

  • @kingssman2
    @kingssman2 ปีที่แล้ว +46

    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
      @FearlessSon ปีที่แล้ว +14

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

    • @KMCA779
      @KMCA779 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      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
      @TheEDFLegacy ปีที่แล้ว +5

      ​@@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
      @scoutguard3015 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I wish i could play star citizen

  • @mitwhitgaming7722
    @mitwhitgaming7722 ปีที่แล้ว +44

    We need more APCs in Sci-fi!

  • @JustTooDamnHonest
    @JustTooDamnHonest ปีที่แล้ว +22

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

  • @DaytonaRoadster
    @DaytonaRoadster ปีที่แล้ว +7

    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 :)

  • @Jesse_359
    @Jesse_359 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    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
      @earlware4322 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      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).

  • @czernovog
    @czernovog ปีที่แล้ว +15

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

  • @AlRoderick
    @AlRoderick ปีที่แล้ว +40

    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
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว +12

      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
      @legbreaker2762 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @Tank50us
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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
      @scottishscott3504 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This is a tacticool design, not a practical design.

    • @Tank50us
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@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.

  • @mattwilson8298
    @mattwilson8298 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

    • @tomasburian6550
      @tomasburian6550 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

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

  • @warmonger2500
    @warmonger2500 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    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.

  • @Graver81-69
    @Graver81-69 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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

  • @skyborne80
    @skyborne80 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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!

  • @montithered4741
    @montithered4741 ปีที่แล้ว +7

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

    • @arthurchadwell9267
      @arthurchadwell9267 ปีที่แล้ว

      I wish these guys made the Starship Troopers movie.

  • @johnsteiner3417
    @johnsteiner3417 ปีที่แล้ว +43

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

    • @cpt_bill366
      @cpt_bill366 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      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
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +12

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

    • @TheEDFLegacy
      @TheEDFLegacy ปีที่แล้ว +5

      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
      @johnsteiner3417 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @TheEDFLegacy
      @TheEDFLegacy ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @houndsofmeath3376
    @houndsofmeath3376 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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
      @hoojiwana ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You're welcome!
      - hoojiwana from Spacedock

  • @Kingsoupturbo
    @Kingsoupturbo ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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!

  • @RavenWolffe77
    @RavenWolffe77 ปีที่แล้ว +11

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

    • @earnestbrown6524
      @earnestbrown6524 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Somewhere a Bolo is so proud.

    • @RavenWolffe77
      @RavenWolffe77 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

    • @arthurchadwell9267
      @arthurchadwell9267 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @ericzaiz8358
    @ericzaiz8358 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    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.

    • @Jesse_359
      @Jesse_359 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      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
      @ReleaseTheCanines ปีที่แล้ว +7

      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
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      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
      @jarowan ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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.

  • @danbeasley6135
    @danbeasley6135 ปีที่แล้ว +4

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

  • @Ides_0f_March
    @Ides_0f_March ปีที่แล้ว +9

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

    • @CptJistuce
      @CptJistuce ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

    • @stevenscott2136
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @ameelmd
    @ameelmd ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @Strykenine
    @Strykenine ปีที่แล้ว +12

    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
      @gabrielinostroza4989 ปีที่แล้ว

      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
      @hawkeye5955 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @thestanleys3657
    @thestanleys3657 ปีที่แล้ว +10

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

  • @alexeyvlasenko6622
    @alexeyvlasenko6622 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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.

  • @eotwdave
    @eotwdave ปีที่แล้ว +8

    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.

  • @TeraQuad
    @TeraQuad ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

  • @unknown9126
    @unknown9126 ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

  • @zooniethelazoon
    @zooniethelazoon ปีที่แล้ว +15

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

  • @tymek200101
    @tymek200101 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    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
    @paulcadden4967 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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

  • @doemacmonkey
    @doemacmonkey ปีที่แล้ว +6

    “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!

  • @thomaslamb8635
    @thomaslamb8635 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @spunkmire2664
    @spunkmire2664 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @greggv8
    @greggv8 ปีที่แล้ว

    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.

  • @Alex113234
    @Alex113234 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @Cammi_Rosalie
    @Cammi_Rosalie ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.)

  • @spaghetti7782
    @spaghetti7782 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    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
      @travcollier ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The constraint for transportation/drop is a big one.

    • @spaghetti7782
      @spaghetti7782 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@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
      @shagrat47 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @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
      @travcollier ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      ​@@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.

  • @iain-duncan
    @iain-duncan ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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

  • @jonmcgee6987
    @jonmcgee6987 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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.

  • @zephron28
    @zephron28 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    That was an excellent breakdown, well done!

  • @MrMaximkozin
    @MrMaximkozin ปีที่แล้ว

    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.

  • @eddiebernays6809
    @eddiebernays6809 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    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.

  • @brennonlewis
    @brennonlewis ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @deanlawson6880
    @deanlawson6880 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @darthprime4916
    @darthprime4916 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @meshugganator08
    @meshugganator08 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @kitirena_koneko
    @kitirena_koneko ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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!

  • @charles1890
    @charles1890 ปีที่แล้ว +1

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

  • @JohnSagin-SimViDeLucis579
    @JohnSagin-SimViDeLucis579 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @teck_3
    @teck_3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @tlshortyshorty5810
    @tlshortyshorty5810 ปีที่แล้ว +3

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

  • @blagojpejov4155
    @blagojpejov4155 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice Work on this Apc

  • @ricksheard1093
    @ricksheard1093 ปีที่แล้ว

    literally the Colonial Marines Technical manual word for word

  • @XenoRaptor-98765
    @XenoRaptor-98765 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Did you do a video of the USCM dropship yet?

  • @resurgam_b7
    @resurgam_b7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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
      @mattmc9812 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @norm3380
    @norm3380 ปีที่แล้ว +6

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

    • @CptJistuce
      @CptJistuce ปีที่แล้ว +2

      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
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      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
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

    • @HailHydra27
      @HailHydra27 ปีที่แล้ว +4

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

    • @Colin_
      @Colin_ ปีที่แล้ว

      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.

  • @Kaiber_Phoenix
    @Kaiber_Phoenix ปีที่แล้ว +1

    A great breakdown of a vehicle you get to see little of in aliens or most of the games (dark decent and AVP2 being the exception). Ihavent personally played dark decent as of yet but the lighter apc ive seen at the start of the game does look interesting though.

  • @WillDa713
    @WillDa713 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @HellbirdIV
    @HellbirdIV 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    One criticism I always have about this design is its really low ground clearance (the prop vehicle being built on an aircraft tug that was never meant to leave the flat tarmac), but the technical specs claiming the wheels to be adjustable up to 50cm of ground clearance does somewhat address that. Presumably, the Colonial Marines in the movie just used the low riding mode because the colony roads were already all paved and mostly flat.

  • @awesomehpt8938
    @awesomehpt8938 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    State of the badass art!

  • @IXSigmaXI
    @IXSigmaXI ปีที่แล้ว

    awesome description of the plasma beam!

  • @DrBunnyMedicinal
    @DrBunnyMedicinal ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @Jayjay-qe6um
    @Jayjay-qe6um ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @steveb6616
    @steveb6616 ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @RazorX86
    @RazorX86 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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
      @DarthBiomech ปีที่แล้ว

      But could it reverse the polarity of radiation capacitors?

  • @collguyjoe99
    @collguyjoe99 ปีที่แล้ว

    Got to Meet OG Spacedock in Boston Last weekend!

  • @thegrayknight71
    @thegrayknight71 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @jipillow1
    @jipillow1 ปีที่แล้ว

    This movie was one of my favorites in the 90s

  • @DarthBiomech
    @DarthBiomech ปีที่แล้ว +2

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

  • @shardinhand1243
    @shardinhand1243 ปีที่แล้ว

    awesome video, thank you!

  • @TroyBrophy
    @TroyBrophy ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @aledwalters8977
    @aledwalters8977 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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.

  • @2Potates
    @2Potates ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Probably one of my favorite sci-fi vehicles.

  • @DanielSolis
    @DanielSolis ปีที่แล้ว +6

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

    • @arcturionblade1077
      @arcturionblade1077 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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
      @stevenscott2136 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      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
      @Tank50us ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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.

    • @Jesse_359
      @Jesse_359 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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.

  • @philrm99
    @philrm99 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent discussion.

  • @_andyemcee_
    @_andyemcee_ ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Marines, we are Leaving!

  • @kronosbot5
    @kronosbot5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @cyborghobo9717
    @cyborghobo9717 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Is there any plans to make an episode focused on tech purely from books ?

  • @souplike.homogenate
    @souplike.homogenate ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @e.l.wallace9060
    @e.l.wallace9060 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Niiceee!Alien has such a amazing style in my opioion!

  • @shagrat47
    @shagrat47 ปีที่แล้ว

    Glorious!!! Thank you!😊

  • @KronosGodwisen
    @KronosGodwisen ปีที่แล้ว +1

    They are told by their mission specialist and eye witness to expect acid spiting life forms. So, what is the one and only thing they are not equipped for?

  • @Threvlin
    @Threvlin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The promised video has arrived.

  • @erikmichels2695
    @erikmichels2695 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I absolutely LOVE this design, it’s so detailed and to be honest, they thought of VERYTHING. Except one thing. I don’t like the window and low visibility of the driver, this makes it feel like a WW2 tank or a Humvee, rather than an APC.
    A camera system would be way better (in my opinion), and you could replace the scene with the xenomorph bursting through it, with it taking out the cams one by one, giving a nice feeling of “oh crap, I can’t do anything and I’m goon a be blind and stuck in a tin can in a few seconds.”

  • @mobilewintercamp7515
    @mobilewintercamp7515 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    If each wheel has its own motor than there is a bit of conflict in the movie. Hicks told Ripley to power down you blew a trans axle. There would be no such thing if each wheel had its own motor

  • @AflacMan13
    @AflacMan13 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "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
      @anon_y_mousse ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @daisywalker119
    @daisywalker119 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great video, but I’ve always wondered, who drove this in the movie?

  • @thetruth45678
    @thetruth45678 ปีที่แล้ว

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

  • @prof.badfellow9868
    @prof.badfellow9868 ปีที่แล้ว

    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