 Many of the props in The Wrath of Khan had been reused from The Motion Picture , or scrounged from other productions , but for The Search for Spock Winter wanted to design uniquely Star Trek items . George and artist Phil Norwood collaborated on many of the prop designs , creating updated and sleeker versions of the original television series communicators and phasers . Many props were created out of wood and embellished with small pieces from model kits . While the Federation tricorder was created using a model race car body , the Klingon props were intended to look dirtier , with sharp surfaces that looked uncomfortable to carry . George was insistent on using the shapes and materials , rather than blinking lights , to suggest the props were real and manufactured . 
