The SBD Ind J2 Zapper

A preserved early example of a hand held beam projection weapon as produced by SBD Industries UK, Earth. Amazingly these early BPW’s employed the use of a large vacuum tube to amplify the primary beam and initiate the plasma stream. The tube itself was manufactured from toughened glass and able to withstand substantial blows. However, the valve filaments were very susceptible to shock as they got very hot in use and over time became quite brittle.

The J2 unit, marketed as the Zapper,was a much improved version of the original J1 but still had issues with power surge and plasma burn through which meant It was classified as “field weapon only do not discharge in confined spaces” which could be a bit limiting when trying to clear your airlock of marauding space pirates or pesky reptilian vampires intent on snacking on you and your crew … or even worse in the mating season!