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IBM AN/FSQ-7

The AN/FSQ-7 was a key component of the Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) system used to track and intercept enemy bombers in the late fifties and sixties. It was the largest computer ever built.

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Airplane! (1980)

Air traffic control at Chicago uses recycled equipment from the SAGE system.

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Importance: **
Realism: ****
The FAA did operate an FSQ-7 for air traffic control duties for some years.

Visibility: **

Bumblebee (2018)

The Special Operations Centre that is taken over by the Decepticons is equipped with a number of fake Crays and real panels from the FSQ-7.

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Importance: **
Realism: **
Visibility: **

Capricorn One (1977)

FSQ-7 power panels appear in mission control, one being used to control radio communications with Capricorn One.

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Importance: **
Fearing the astronauts might give the game away, an official's hand lingers over one of the FSQ-7's buttons, ready to interrupt the signal.

Realism: *
Visibility: ***

Fail Safe (2000)

SAGE panels appear as part of the computer systems at Strategic Air Command, a failure of which causes a group of bombers to be instructed to attack.

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Importance: *****
Realism: *****
Visibility: *

Fantastic Voyage (1966)

The AN/FSQ-7 is in use in the control room.

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Importance: *
Realism: ***
These machine's were in use in the SAGE system, so other military purposes seem reasonable. Only a fraction of the machine (the duplex maintenance console) is used here, though.

Visibility: *

Gemini Man (1976)

With his life in serious danger, he is taken to a nuclear laboratory where Dr. Abby Lawrence attempts to save him with the help of an AN/FSQ-7.

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Importance: ***
Realism: ***
Visibility: ***

In Like Flint (1967)

Sage panels appear both in ZOWIE headquarters, where the computer appears to be monitoring Russian cosmonauts and later in mission control for the space platform launch.

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Importance: ***
Realism: ***
Visibility: ***

The Manitou (1978)

Harry comes up with a plan to defeat Misquamacus using the Manitou, or spirit, of the hospital's computer system which has AN/FSQ-7 panels.

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Importance: ****
Realism: *
Visibility: ***

The President's Analyst (1967)

The computer is used by The Phone Company who plan to install communications devices in the everybody's heads. TPC's plans are foiled when Kropotkin distupts the computer system.

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Importance: **
Realism: ***
Computers do not catch fire without reason!

Visibility: ***
Mostly just flashing lights in a darkened room, but there are some tantalising shots of an opened wiring frame.

Snowball Express (1972)

The insurance company that Johnny works for uses a panel from the AN/FSQ-7 as their office computer - Johnny breaks it by forcefully "returning his computer cards" before quitting.

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Importance: **
Realism: **
Visibility: ***

The Swarm (1978)

The ICBM site that becomes the crew's headquarters is equipped with FSQ-7 equipment.

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Importance: *
Realism: ***
We'll offer a little credit for the computer being used in the system that replaced SAGE.

Visibility: ****

Virus (1999)

Panels from the IBM appear on the Russian research vessel.

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Importance: *
Realism: *
Visibility: *
This is particularly poor - the panels are only visible for a couple of seconds before being blown up.

Way... Way Out (1966)

SAGE panels appear both on the moon rocket and in the moon base.

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Importance: *
Realism: **
Not only would the FSQ-7 be far too heavy to be used on a rocket, this film is set in 1989, long after it had become obsolete.

Visibility: ****

Winter Kills (1979)

Part of Pa Kegan's empire includes a computer centre, run by John Cerruti, in which large number of panels (and even a display scope) from the FSQ-7 appear.

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Importance: *
Realism: **
Visibility: **