Cantwell was best known for designing and constructing prototypes of the X-Wing, Star Destroyer, TIE Fighter, Death Star and other ships for “Star Wars: A New Hope,” the first movie in the blockbuster sci-fi franchise.

According to his website, he designed the spaceships used in the 1977 movie two years earlier, building the models and photographing them when they were completed.

Cantwell’s website also noted that he was UCLA’s first animation graduate, after persuading the university to add an animation major.