Aerial Hunter-Killer from "The Terminator" (1984)

Scale: 1/35
Initial Release: 1994
Medium: Vinyl
Kit Rarity: 4

About the Design

This intimidating fully-automated VTOL gunship was first seen zapping away at human positions in the skull-encrusted ruins of future L.A. in the opening sequence of James Cameron's classic 1984 cult hit, "The Terminator."  Glistening with chrome and devoid of a cockpit or markings, it was clearly a machine that operated without the assistance of flesh-and-blood.

Its elongated shape and V-tail would later influence the design of the Colonial Marine Drop Ship in Cameron's 1986 "Aliens."

About the Kit

Not too many vehicle models are produced in vinyl, but this one of them.  As a result, construction and painting required a special finesse -- but the results could be more than worth it.  The model was big -- about 15 inches long -- and the vinyl construction made it usually lightweight.  (Imagine what this thing would weigh in resin!)

Although released in conjunction with "Terminator 2," it's still the original "Terminator" Hunter-Killer, as both craft were identical.

This model was built from an original issue.