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A3: CYGNUS ALPHA
RADIO TIMES: In the alien spaceship, which they have named Liberator, Blake, Jenna and Avon plan to free the prisoners held on Cygnus Alpha.

Broadcast: Monday 16th January, 1978: 7.15pm-8.10pm, BBC 1
Writer: Terry Nation
Director: Vere Lorrimer
"Wisdom must be gathered, not given." Zen
"Don't philosophise at me, you electronic moron!" Avon
GUEST CAST: Glyn Owen (Leylan), Norman Tipton (Artix), Pamela Salem (Kara), Brian Blessed (Vargas), Robert Russell (Laran), Peter Childs (Arco), David Ryall (Selman).
FACT FILE
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Cygnus Alpha was watched by 8.5m viewers.
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The episode was commissioned from Terry Nation in November 1976. The early draft script still retained the character of Klein as another prisoner and potential crew member but he was dropped.
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Night-filming took place at Springwell Lock Quarry, Rickmansworth from Tuesday 11th - Wednesday 12th October, 1977.
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A back-projection unit was used for the scenes of Blake looking at the docking bay and for the scenes of Kara against the alien moon.
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Ian Scoones produced ten of the Liberator handguns which were powered by 6V batteries.
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The climactic fight scene was filmed at Ealing on Monday 17th October, 1977.
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Some of the shots of the London were taken from the first two episodes.
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Studio recording took place in TC3 from Monday 21st November 1977.
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The incidental music for Cygnus Alpha was recorded on Monday 5th December with Dudley Simpson's orchestra.
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The episode was novelised as part of Trevor Hoyles Blake's 7: Their First Adventure.
EPISODE GALLERY
Please click on the image for larger view and details.
![]() Teleport Bracelet original designIan Scoones’ original design for the teleport bracelets was dropped as it would have involved making intricate moulds. | ![]() Liberator handgun design sketchIan Scoones' original design sketch for the Liberator ‘sonic sound guns’. | ![]() Visual EffectsIan Scoones positions the London model during filming on Cygnus Alpha. |
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![]() The London on Cygnus AlphaThe London lands on the detailed miniature landscape of Cygnus Alpha. | ![]() Cathedral in the mistIan Scoones fantastic conceptual painting for the 'cathedral in the mist' on Cygnus Alpha. | ![]() Alien landscapeThe model landscape of Cygnus Alpha. |
![]() Vere LorrimerDirector Vere Lorrimer instructs Gareth Thomas on location. BBC copyright image. | ![]() Kara and GanKara (Pamela Salem) welcomes Gan (David Jackson) to Cygnus Alpha. BBC copyright image. | ![]() Vila, Arco and GanVila (Michael Keating), Arco (Peter Childs) and Gan (David Jackson) explore their new 'home'. BBC copyright image. |
![]() Blake on Cygnus AlphaA back-projection unit was used on location to show the actors interacting with the model-work. BBC copyright image. | ![]() KaraPublicity shot of Kara (Pamela Salem) on the surface of Cygnus Alpha. BBC copyright image. | ![]() BlakePublicity shot of Blake (Gareth Thomas). BBC copyright image. |
![]() Avon onboard the Liberator.Publicity shot of Avon (Paul Darrow). BBC copyright image. | ![]() Teleport braceletsThe teleport bracelets were made from hinged sections of drainpipe. Image copyright Martin Bower. |
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