Spinner Air Cars
The fictional flying cars from *Blade Runner*, designed by Syd Mead, that combine ground driving with vertical takeoff and jet propulsion.
In the film *Blade Runner*, the Spinner is the generic term for the fictional flying cars. Conceived and designed by Syd Mead, a spinner can be driven as a ground-based vehicle, take off vertically, hover, and cruise using jet propulsion, much like today's VTOL aircraft. They are used extensively by the police to patrol and survey the population, and despite restrictions, wealthy people can acquire spinner licenses. In *Blade Runner*, these flying cars substitute for helicopters and very light jets.
- Type
- Flying car (aerodyne with three engines: conventional internal combustion, jet a
- Era
- 1982 (film release) and 2017 (sequel release)
- Location
- Los Angeles (in-universe); Seattle, WA (real-world exhibit)
- Users
- Police, wealthy people, general public, VIPs, Wallace Corporation
- Propulsion
- Conventional internal combustion, jet and anti-gravity (per press kits); describ
- Status
- On permanent exhibit at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Designer Syd Mead described the spinner as an aerodyne – a vehicle which directs air downward to create lift. However, press kits for the film stated that the spinner was propelled by three engines: 'conventional internal combustion, jet and anti-gravity.' In *Blade Runner* (1982), spinners are seen prominently. Deckard and Gaff ride in police spinners, and other various spinners driven by the 'general' public and Very Important Person public fly through the city. In *Blade Runner 2049* (2017), Officer K and other LAPD members ride in police spinners, and other spinners driven by the 'general' public and VIP public are seen flying through the city. Certain spinners are also used by members of the Wallace Corporation. The spinner flown by Officer K was branded as a Peugeot as part of a marketing deal that later resulted in a lawsuit between Peugeot and Alcon Entertainment.
In Their Own Story
The spinner has been 'replicated' in subsequent films such as *Back to the Future Part II*, *The Fifth Element*, and the *Star Wars* prequel trilogy. In *Back to the Future Part II*, a garishly repainted spinner can be seen parked on a street. In the *Star Wars* films, spinners are seen in *The Phantom Menace* and *Attack of the Clones*. The homage was made in part because of the similarities between the dense cityscape of *Blade Runner*'s Los Angeles and the ecumenopolis planet Coruscant. A spinner and the sedan used by Deckard also appear in the music video for the Earth, Wind & Fire song 'Magnetic.' The video game *Snatcher*, itself influenced by *Blade Runner*, features 'turbocycles' that are similar to spinners.
Reader's Guide
A spinner is currently on permanent exhibit at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA. In *Trancers* (1985), the sedan used by Deckard can be seen in a repair shop. In *Solar Crisis* (1990), a repainted police spinner is used. In *Soldier* (1998), a spinner can be seen in a pile of wrecked vehicles in one scene. The spinner was conceived and designed by Syd Mead. People use spinners like traditional cars in these films; in *Blade Runner*, the flying cars substitute for helicopters and very light jets.
Did You Know?
- The spinner was conceived and designed by Syd Mead.
- Press kits for the film stated the spinner was propelled by three engines: 'conventional internal combustion, jet and anti-gravity'.
- A spinner is currently on permanent exhibit at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA.
- The spinner flown by Officer K in *Blade Runner 2049* was branded as a Peugeot as part of a marketing deal that later resulted in a lawsuit.
- A garishly repainted spinner can be seen parked on a street in *Back to the Future Part II*.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in the Blade Runner universe
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