Flying Sub Landing Gear and Grappling Hooks

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TCF TV, 1964-1968), Hero Screen-Used "FS-1" Flying Submarine Filming Miniature with Articulating Landing Gear and Grappling Hooks. Vintage original filming miniature for the "FS-1" Flying Submarine from Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. This practical effects Flying Submarine, resembling the distinct shape of a stingray, was built by the show's art director Stan Jolley for Season 4, Episode 3, "Cave of the Dead", and can be seen with its claws in full operation when the device lands on the sea floor and grabs an underwater cable. The miniature's hull is constructed of fiberglass painted in signature yellow acrylic with blue trim and gray highlights. When the upper shell of the ship is removed, an assemblage of steel mechanical cables, gears, studio-lathed rubber wheels, acrylic, resin, and wood components are exposed. The actuation cables connect to the various functional components of the ship, including left and right front mandible claws and left, right, and center landing wheels. Electrical wiring provides connection to a central lamp that powers the craft's front headlights when switched on. The cabling extending to the rear of the rig attaches to a custom-built control panel with operating levers labeled for the corresponding functional components. For example, the center wheel can be lowered by hand, allowing the "Claw Assembly" levers to lower the central gear mechanism into place, whereby additional levers initiate movement of the mandible claws into UP/DOWN, LEFT/RIGHT, and OPEN/SHUT positions. This is the functionality seen in the episode, a marvelous demonstration of the filming miniature's capability. The Flying Sub hull measures 37.5" x 38", and the entire rig including the control panel measures approx. 65.5" x 38". The components are mounted to a custom-built wooden transportation/storage unit that brings the entire assembly to 29" tall. This screen-used filming miniature represents state-of-the-art practical effects from the 1960s, and caution should be exercised when operating the controls. Rigging for the articulating elements is delicate and they must be coaxed by hand while operating the control levers. Some cosmetic restoration was completed following production by ILM Model Shop and Visual Effects Supervisor Bill George. The miniature is accompanied by 1-reproduction 20th Century Fox technical drawing of the model, measuring 55.5" x 36" on mylar, and 1-17.25" x 22.25" assembly key for affixing the top of the cockpit to the lower section. This FS-1 filming miniature was originally from the collection of famed miniature effects wizard Greg Jein. Exhibits expected signs of production-use, wear, and age, including fragile components, oxidation to the steel and brass, signs of studio repair, and several loose components. Heritage Auctions sold another "FS-1" Flying Sub of the same scale as this version, but without cable actuation, for $100,000 in "The Comisar Collection", Auction 7318, Lot #89108. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions.

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2025 December 9 - 10 Hollywood/Entertainment Signature® Auction #7433
Sold for $32,500 including Buyer's Premium.