VK Manual

[propsjonnyb]

I did that when you first published the rehersal shots of the 'case' on the table - extrapolating the size from all available sources , the case itself comes out at 20" x16" x 9" and working through the limited shots of the machine and extrapolating again, I estimate it's size as 17" x 12" x 8" , I understand the original main monitor to be a 6" CRT studio monitor and the two smaller monitor screens were 3.5" Sony TV camera monitors ( so these are real given found items using measurements against which you can work out all others) - the original monitor was replaced by a larger 8" one at the request of Ridley Scott , to enable him to get better close ups, which is why when you look at the scenes with the VK , it switches back and forth giving the impression that there were two machines, indeed two were made ' the portable' a mock up one in the case and the desk one which was fixed and operated from below, this prop was actually filmed first, it's the one shown being worked on in the colour photo and originally had a double set of hospital oxygen bellows fitted . To fit the larger CRT screen in place, these had to be removed and a new top and set of bellows shells were vac formed , which were rod operated from beneath the table, as a motor could not be fitted in time to meet the filming schedule .

Kurtyboy has made an excellent reproduction of the Manual - which I believe is accurate at 11" X 8.5" and if I use that as my guide , I get almost exactly the same measurements as mentioned above, so unless you have some better and more detailed images lurking in the remaining 700 odd , I am going to stick my neck out and say my measurements are 'good' and I'm going to re-work Joberg's excellent static prop to fit, using your photos to accurize the VK as I go.

So I await you publishing more here, as you've already helped me to customize my Haliburton Zero Camera Case into the prop shown in your photos already ! I still have to custom fit a foam lining, but I will do that last of all once I finish re-working the prop .
Mine will mirror the filmed prop, in that the arm will work, servo controlled operated from the main panel but no camera , the three screens will be fed via SD cards with custom colour videos and soundtrack, the bellows will also work also servo controlled with custom software for the controller allowing the breating rate to be adjusted for maximum effect . I've published links to the videos on the other VK machine thread but I will be making a small video of the three screens working together, which I hope to show here, when I come back from Holiday at the end of September
I have all the other electronics, servos, custom acctuator and LED boards built and ready to fit - all operating of a 12V rechargeable battery- making my version a truly portable - fully functioning prop, I am also considering offering an upgrade adding a working lie detector( a toy - commercially available ) that gives a very mild shock when you lie !!

[nickdaring]

Years ago I tried to decide on the CRT sizes but in the end felt that it was kinda unreliable. I have a big old jpg folder of miniature tv's, crt tubes and the like trying to figure out the major manufacturing stuff behind them.

There is also some other size reference I'm pulling together right now as well. I'll post it up shortly in it's own thread.

Nick

[propsjonnyb]

The CRT information I have is accurate as it came from my uncle's diary, he worked for the studios and was on the film set on occasion , so I am quite sure about the two smaller monitor as they were mentioned by name, I cannot be sure about the other smaller 6" monitor or the larger one for that matter only on the sizes mentioned as Ridley wanted a bigger screen CRT and that one was the only one available that could be retrofitted into the prop at the time, which caused quite a stir as it had to be done very quickly to meet filming schedules, remember this was the second version of the VK prop to be built as Ridley rejected the first and was , as I understand constructed over a weekend by two of the prop team working non-stop. So along with other evidence from other books and publications , I can say the three measurements are correct - measuring corner to corner , the smaller Screens are 3.5" diagonal , the smaller main screen is 6" diagonal and the larger one 8" Digital frames are available in 3.5" 6",7" and 8" but unfortunately not all will play videos so it's been quite a search to find suitable replacements .

[andy]

Who was your Uncle Johnny? I know you have talked to me about him before, but wasn't sure if you said his name ever.

Andy

[joberg]

John is going to do a hell of a prop with the V.K. I'm now into the process of re-doing the blue-prints according to the new pix provided by Bwood and Nick (the face is done, as well as a view of the top of the machine).
Morpheus 13 has more info, but is under a non-disclosure agreement, so that's why there's going to be some artistic licence with the final prop, but it's going to be as close as the original ...I cannot wait for the final product

[andy]

Saw this auction up recently....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130411002781&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Andy

[nickdaring]

I saw that auction too. Interesting huh?

Nick

[propsjonnyb]

Yeah guys , I'm in contact with Christian who own Jupiter Electronics , he's also going to do the 10 element Red Led for the cabinet as well, after discussing things with me. I also have sources for the Servos and have a customised linear acctuator built by a Canadian Company details from me via PM

[joberg]

Yes, and the measurement fits if you want those led on top of the big screen also...cool.

[ridleyville]

Sorry it has taken so long to reply with the VK manual dimensions.

They are:

Width 9 inches
Height 11.5 inches

Hope that is of use to you.
_________________
More human than human

[joberg]

Thanks for the measurements...not 81/2 by 11 as first thought Back to the drawing board

[Mark Sheppard]

[nickdaring]

Thanks for the info Joberg!

Nick

[joberg]

Thanks you Nick, but I had nothing to do with it: Ridleyville is the one who gave us the dims for the VK manual

[nickdaring]

Oops! I totally meant Ridleyville.

Joberg is a big stinkyhead compared to Ridleyville.

All hail Ridleyville.



Nick

[joberg]

It's Mister Big StinkyHead Nick...MISTER