If you’re a fan of shows created by Irwin Allen such as The Time Tunnel and Land of the Giants, or 1970s series such as The Six Million Dollar Man or The Bionic Woman, did you ever wonder if those giant computers that featured were props or the real deal, on loan?
Well, wonder no more, they were real. What’s more, thanks to film and TV archivist Mike Loewen, you can explore his website cataloguing every on screen appearance of the the United States Air Force AN/FSQ-7 (SAGE) computer systems, right up to the present day, from 1960s shows such as The Man from U.N.CLE and Batman right up to the Quantum Leap reboot!
Mike relates how the AN/FSQ-7 (SAGE) computer systems were the largest computers ever built, and were responsible for keeping a radar eye on US air space for more than 25 years, until decommissioned in 1983.
“The Q7 was also a special effects dream,” he notes, “with more lights, switches and vacuum tubes than any other piece of hardware, and found its way into many science fiction movies and television programs over the years.
“I served in the US Air Force from 1982 until 1986, and was in one of the last groups of computer maintenance technicians trained to work on the Q7. I was stationed at McChord AFB in Tacoma, WA, and worked on the Q7 there from January through August of 1983, before heading back to school for training on the newer (ROCC) system. McChord’s Q7 was finally turned off in August of 1983.
“I’ve been a science fiction fan ever since I could read, and have always been fascinated by robots and computers, the more lights and switches the better. I used to watch Irwin Allen’s Time Tunnel series, and finally realised, after I left the Air Force, that the computer system in the tunnel complex was comprised of sections of the old AN/FSQ-7!”
Over several years, Mike has researched numerous shows himself and scoured the web to assemble an impressive resource of Q7 appearances in other films and TV programmes, aided by other fans of such obscure ephemera – and tracked down where you can hire them from to use them in your own productions, should you so wish.
It’s a fascinating resource, the screen grabs from shows and films down the decades alone worth a click through, evoking many a childhood memory.
Is there a similar site out there for appearances of Gerry Anderson Century 21 live show props, such as the Moonbase control desks reused in Doctor Who’s “The Green Death”, I wonder? Do let us know, in a comment below!
• Check out Mike Loewen’s fantastic resource for appearances of the Q7 computer here
If you know of any other movies or TV programs which used parts of the Q7 for props, please let Mike know. Screen grabs or publicity shots would be very helpful.
• Find out more about he USAF AN/FSQ-7 (SAGE) computer systems here
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes News, Film, Other Worlds, Science Fiction, Television
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