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Space Ark
Web site by: Phil
Broad
The Space Ark from "When Worlds Collide" is truly a classic "rocket" of the 1950s. It is a well considered design, even the wings appear to be properly placed in relation to the ships apparent center of gravity. It would probably be easy to make a flying model of this ship (not to mention "fun"). This ships sole purpose is to transport a handful of survivors to a new planet entering our solar system called "Zira" from the doomed Earth . As would be true in real life, the rocket is about 80% fuel storage with very little room remaining for payload. This is one of the very few times where we see Hollywood Art Directors actually show a proper amount of fuel storage capacity on a given ship. The Ark's cockpit features control sticks taken straight from WWII surplus, they are the same type that would have been found in most US propellor-driven fighters of the '40s and some of the very early jets which followed. It is also interesting to note the distinct similarity between the layout of the Ark's main control board and that of the Helm & Navigators console of a much later Paramount project, the Star Trek "Enterprise" Bridge. Of course, "Star Trek" began at Desilu studios but perhaps some Paramount art staff ended up there in the sixties?
Like a lot of miniatures from this era, the "Ark" was made of metal (copper). There were two versions built, one with removable panels to show the interior structure and a "completed" version which was rigged for the mechanical effects of firing its engines, launching, flying and landing. Even the cranes and work stands were made from metal pieces, all soldered together. The model ships were built to 1/8th inch to the foot scale which made them about four feet in length. This is surprisingly small for such a large subject matter and is a testament to the effects crew who turned out first-class scenes in spite of this fact. When the model was last seen at the studio, the "under construction" version of the model sported "USAF" and "star-and-bar" decals under the wings. It is not known what movie this may have been done for, perhaps one of our web site visitors knows? If so, please let us know.