The Clamshell itself holds the model snugly and is secured together with molded in tabs and slots. Removing the clamshell from the box reveals an inner card with an image of the UD-4L captured straight from the film. It really reinforces the military theme and harkens a likeness to an entry in any number of "Janes" military vehicle guides. The schematic rendering and specifications on the back of the box are a nice touch. The UD-4L is roughly six inches long and comes packaged as shown in window box packaging. When the first wave of Cinemachines diecast vehicles launched earlier this year the Cheyenne Dropship was such a success that it alone received a second production run. (Although it would have been easier to stomach if Carter Burke was under it!)īut now, thanks to NECA Toys the UD-4L lives again! Crashing in a tumbling ball of burning wreckage nearly decimating the entire Colonial marine squad with it. It did however have one of the best on screen deaths of any model. Like in a CAS (Close Air Support) scenario, given it's ordinance pylons bristling with rockets, missiles and bombs. It's too bad we didn't get to see more of it in action.
Like the Millennium Falcon of Star Wars fame, the dropship is practically a character in its own right. While the dropship had little screen time, it was more than enough to cement it as one of the outstanding set pieces of the film.
With its VTOL capability and helicopter like handling the UD-4L clearly served as the films "dust off Huey". Perhaps nothing exemplified this more than the UD-4L Cheyenne Dropship. When James Cameron infused his 1986 film Aliens with its healthy dose of militarization, it was clear that the Vietnam war served as inspiration.