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DustyTrooper

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  1. In fact, it turns out the @RS Prop Masters radio was mistakenly misidentified as a Sonix, but it's actually a Solar brand variant complete with the 5-Pin DIN Plug as you can see; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhZyVsecGTM&t=468s So there were versions of the Solar radio both with and without the 5-Pin DIN Plug.
  2. I have decided to create a comparison complete with all three radio variants; Sonix, North Star, & Solar, and a brief history to go along with it. This post has been made possible thanks to the help of @bigwam, between him and myself we own all three variations of this radio. He helped supply some of the photos to make this comparison possible, Also thanks to @GodOfLibra, @1970s, & @Sithlord337 for sharing some additional photos used in this post. Please Enjoy. Here's a Logo Badge comparison to start with. Front Side Comparison Back Side Comparison Sticker Comparison Left Side Comparison Right Side Comparison You'll notice the 5-Pin DIN Plug is missing from the North Star and Solar brand variants, though @bigwam and myself have confirmed the wires and opening are inside the case ready for it to be installed! In fact, it turns out the @RS Prop Masters radio was mistakenly misidentified as a Sonix, but it's actually a Solar brand variant complete with the 5-Pin DIN Plug as you can see; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhZyVsecGTM&t=468s So obviously there were versions of the Solar radio both with and without the 5-Pin DIN Plug, but the great thing about this difference is that it helps us to narrow down which variant was used onscreen! Considering the movie was filmed in the U.K. and the radio has a 5-Pin DIN Plug present, combined with the fact that the rest of parts on the pack are from England such as the Shires Toilet Siphon, Brexton Food Box, & Karrimor Tote’em pack frame, ect. it was most most likely the Sonix Victory 75 used onscreen. Sonix Power Sources You'll notice the Sonix variant came in two different voltages; 117 Volts with North American style plug & 220 Volts with European style plug depending on which region of the U.K. the user was located. North Star Power Source 117 Volts with North American style plug. Solar Power Source 117 Volts with North American style plug. Patent Number Comparison Matching Patent No. 967536 on all three brand variants, you may also notice the matching mold marks around the injection point on the right. Which brings me to the next part of this post. On my journey to find one of these radios I gathered a good amount of information in my research. Since there is so little known about the history and origin of this radio I have decided to share everything I’ve found in one convenient place for all. My hope is that this might lead to more radios being found in the community since there are still so few of these known to exist today. A Brief History All of these radios were produced by the same OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer); “M.T.L. Electronics Corp.” in Hong Kong (Active May.1975 – Aug.1984) 305 Princess Theater Bldg. 130 Nathan Road, Kowloon https://www.hkgbusiness.com/en/company/Mtl-Electronics-Hk-Limited Circuit Design: Star Light 1809c The Sonix company used two different style logos Type A Type B Examples: Sonix Victory 75 (Model: JM-1809) Imported into the U.K. by; “Minachi Electronics Ltd.” Unfortunately I don’t have any more information on the company such as dates active or address, but if anyone can find anything on this company please do not hesitate to let me know so I can update this post. I was lucky enough to even find the legal name of the Sonix company; “Minachi Electronics Ltd.” It was literally the last piece of information I found, which came from papers included with this Sonix model 'Chieftain' radio. The North Star company used two different style logos Type A Type B Examples: North Star (Model: MT-1809) Imported into Canada by; “All Nations Trading Corp., Ltd.” (Active Aug.1974-Dec.1999) Changed name to “Eversonic Inc.” in Dec.1999 and Inactivated Jan.2006 850 Supertest Road. Downsview, Ontario Canada. M3J2M5 https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/opic-cipo/trdmrks/srch/viewTrademark.html?id=377647&lang=eng The Solar company used two different style logos Type A Type B Examples: Solar (Model: MT-1809) Imported into U.S.A. by; “Solar Sound Systems, Inc.” Established approximately 1973 330 or 339, Fifth Avenue, New York NY Solar Sound Systems Inc. was actually taken to U.S. District Court for misrepresentation by Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Corporation). Not over the model MT-1809, but a different radio. Essentially one of their advertised "prototypes" at a consumer electronics show in Chicago during May of 1974 was actually just a Panasonic radio bought from Hong Kong, Re-Labelled, Photographed and then Advertised directly to distributors like that at the trade show. This turned out to be illegal. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/381/64/2006012/ https://cite.case.law/f-supp/381/64/ Solar and North Star also offered other matching products, such as this Solar Model: "K-8" for example. Which is the exact same radio as the North Star Model No. "M8" After M.T.L. Electronics Corp. closed in August of 1984 North Star had the model MT-1809 reproduced by another manufacturer in Hong Kong named ‘Swing Interelectronic Ltd.’ At the time it was quite common for these types of transistor radios to basically be copied by other competing manufacturers in Hong Kong. However it appears the model 1809 design may have been legally licensed in this case, along with many other models the manufacturer reproduced. https://www.hkcorporationsearch.com/companies/0067848/ Swing Interelectronic Ltd. produced radios for several different distributors including North Star such as this Model: 1898 for example This reproduction made by Swing Interelectronic (right) is not an exact copy, it has noticeable differences from the original version made by M.T.L. Electronics (left). Notice the logo badge is on the lower right side instead of the lower left side, and it shows the Type B logo instead of Type A. The holes surrounding the speaker grill don't start at twelve o’clock like the original version. The various sections are slightly different size and spaced out further from one another than the original version. The switches aren’t the same and also appear to be in slightly different locations. The tuning knob is different as well as the frequency display window. The vent on the back is also different. The text “FILE NO. LL 26592” may very well refer to the legal license to reproduce the Model No. 1809 design. The reproduction only has a headphone plug-in, where as the original version has both microphone and headphone plug-ins. Another major difference is the strap mounting brackets, The reproduction is quite unique from the original North Star, Sonix, or Solar brand variants. Notice the feet on the bottom are rounded on the reproduction unlike the flat feet on the original version.
  3. Yes that is correct, though the wires and opening are inside the case for it. I will be posting a comprehensive comparison that shows all these details and differences between the three variants soon.
  4. I’ve been a big Stormtrooper fan ever since I’d seen Star Wars as a young boy. Even back then I can remember obsessing over the armor, blasters, and other accessories the Stormtroopers carried. I remember really wanting that grappling hook Luke used during his escape from the Death Star, and dreaming of the day I could collect all the parts to build a E-11 Blaster replica. Of course one of the more mysterious items I wanted to know more about was the Sandtrooper Pack! I actually recognized some parts on it myself such as the Tupperware Lid, and the Canteen, but the rest of the pack was a complete mystery to me growing up. Then one youthful day while surfing the early internet(on dial-up 56k modem connection I might add) I came across the old ‘Parts of Star Wars’ website, which is still active to this day! This was a wealth of valuable information to me back then, it actually identified all the parts I needed to build the E-11 Blaster I’d been dreaming of. This also began my search of trying to find out what parts were used on the Sandtrooper Pack. I came across the 501st Sandtrooper Detachment Forums at MEPD.net and found that many of the parts had been identified, but not all of them. In particular one of the mystery parts appeared to be an obscure AM/FM Radio of some kind. I scoured the internet for information endlessly for years until someone eventually discovered and identified the radio used on screen. This was huge news!; It was a “Sonix Victory 75” radio, unfortunately the Sonix company turned out to be an obscure one indeed! Very little information is known about the company to this day. Then in 2011 a Canadian version of this radio was found in Nova Scotia under the brand name “North Star”. This got me very excited being a Canadian and my mind wandered with dreams of finding one of these vintage radios in the back of some pawn shop, or under a pile of old audio equipment in some thrift store. Well it’s been another eleven years since then, several more radios have been found both under the Sonix and the North Star brand names. But unfortunately, none of those radios were found by me. Alas, I never gave up my search and eventually I did end up finding one of these radios for myself. Not only that, but I also discovered a third previously unknown brand variant! This was only made possible due to the discovery of the Canadian variant 11 years prior. When that North Star radio was found, another was found not too long after that. One of these Canadian radios had a sticker with a model number on the back which read “Model: MT-1809”, this is what ultimately led to my discovery of the Solar brand variant. One day while searching eBay for the query “Vintage Radio MT-1809” this Solar radio just popped up for sale. $45.99 plus shipping, and the best part; it still works! I don’t think I’ve ever clicked Buy Now so fast in my life. My hands were literally shaking as I was checking out, as I’ve had hot ticket items like this sell out from under my nose before I had a chance to finish checking out. Thankfully this purchase went smoothly and it showed up at my door fairly quick. It was found on October 20th, 2022 in Bath Township, Michigan which is about a two and a half hour drive from where I live in Sarnia, Ontario Canada. The seller informed me it was from an estate sale. The reason I want to share my find is that these kinds of discoveries tend to have a cascade effect, and I’m hoping more of these radios will be found yet in the future. I can tell you this version is from an American company that produced radios in the 60’s and 70’s (more of that later) which was a great time for the electronics industry so I’m hoping there was a higher number of units imported for this American version of the radio, though all the companies that offered this model seem to be obscure. And so without further adieu I give you the Solar model: MT-1809 I have also created a comprehensive comparison & brief history of all three brand variants here: http://forum.mepd.net/index.php?/topic/17687-comprehensive-radio-comparison-brief-history/
  5. Solid State absolutely refers to the lack of Vaccum Tubes, Solid State signal amplifiers utilize much more modern Diodes instead. Unlike Vaccum Tubes they last forever, are much more durable, and far less subsceptible to damage from physical shock than Vaccum Tubes. So Solid State Technology is certainly more rugged! However that being said: ask any guitarist and they will explain it to you. Vintage guitar Tube Amps are very valuable and highly sought after, because they sound much more "pure" than your average conventional Solid State guitar amp with clipping diodes. The sound of Guitar Overdrive/Distortion was born inside the vaccum tube after all. So while Solid State is newer technology and definitely more "High Tech" than old vaccum tube technology, it's not always considered "better". Especially to guitarists!
  6. @bigwam Can I ask what size batteries this North Star radio takes? Two C type Batteries?
  7. I also wanted to share another discovery I made that further supports my theory on the Fender Amp Capacitors. In a recent issue of Star Wars Insider Magazine I discovered a behind-the-scenes set photograph that shows a stack of some audio gear just out of frame during Luke’s training remote scene on the Millennium Falcon. So it's not visible onscreen in the movie, which is why this was the first time I seen it! Though being a guitarist all my life; I immediately recognized what was on top of the stack, and I can assure you that is the unmistakable sight of a Fender Amplifier with its iconic “Witch Hat” knobs. I’m certain of it. As I said this stack of audio equipment is just out of frame so it's not visible in the movie itself. But as you can see in this set photo it's definitely there! This may not be the exact model but it is likely a combo amp close to this. As you can see above; the amplifier chassis has been removed from the speaker cabinet exposing all the internal electronic components including the capacitors. So now we know for a fact the prop department & set decorators definitely had at least one Fender Amplifier they used for parts and greeblies. This means it’s possible that the part on the side of the Sandtrooper Pack could very well be a set of Capacitors taken from a vintage Fender Amplifier. You can even make out the two little resistors on the lower right of the baseplate! That pretty much does all but confirm it for me.
  8. Most of the official material refers to the Crystal Patrol (or Jedha Patrol) as “Stormtroopers” including this recent Black Series action figure. That’s one shiny clean TK! However we do finally have something official referring to the Crystal Patrol / Jedha Patrol as a “Sandtrooper” with this Topps trading card; Jedha was a sandy place after all, although these packs are seen on other planets as well. I guess this supports the old saying that Sandtroopers are just Stormtroopers too. Coincidentally the Sandtroopers on this trading card were also referred to as “Stormtroopers”.
  9. Finally after all the official material referring to the Crystal Patrol (or Jedha Patrol) as “Stormtroopers” including this recent Black Series action figure. That’s one shiny clean TK! We finally have something official referring to the Crystal Patrol / Jedha Patrol as a “Sandtrooper!” This Topps trading card. I guess this supports the same concept discussed earlier in this thread; that Sandtroopers are just Stormtroopers too. I think I’m finally starting to come around, maybe this pack does belong with MEPD. Coincidentally the Sandtroopers on this trading card were also referred to as “Stormtroopers” as henselmonster pointed out.
  10. Thank you, I believe that particular model is a Deluxe Reverb, but many of the vintage Fender amps had these same parts such as the Vibrolux Reverb, and Twin Reverb.
  11. You can actually see the rolled edge lips and center caps with wires coming out. Also the fact that the vintage Fender guitar amps have exactly 5 of the correct size in the correct orientation with what appears to be those small resistors and wires on a base pad is what does it for me. And most importantly it makes sense in terms of the year as these Paper style capacitors are from the correct time frame. Not to mention Chewbacca’s Bowcaster had the exact same Knobs that came on all these vintage Fender guitar amplifiers so there’s a good chance the prop makers had one they used for greeblies. That little knob is actually another clue that led me to look into Fender tube amp Capacitors which I had immediately recognized because I used to play fender amps and I’ve been playing guitar for over 30 years.These came on most of the vintage Fender amps back in the 60’s and 70’s. Such as the Deluxe, Vibrolux, and Twin Reverb series, or even the Fender Bassman. The issue is all of these vintage amps usually go for big bucks and are sought after by many musicians and studios. It really would be a shame to destroy a perfectly good vintage Fender amp! Though the capacitors do eventually leak and need replacement from time to time, so perhaps old spent capacitors from a repair shop could be appropriate for pack parts. As you can see they are the right size. About the same depth as the seed tray.
  12. I’m fairly certain those are large Axial Paper Electrolytic Capacitors from a Tube Amplifier on the side of the pack, I’ve seen them on guitar amps many times before in my years. Definitely NOT “Shotgun Shells”! This is exactly what it appears to be from my perception.
  13. I never did upload these shots of the pack in the Rogue One Blu-Ray bonus feature videos, in “The Stories” section from the segment titled “Visions Of Hope: The Look Of Rogue One” As previously noted by iReachy These deployed patrol Troopers with packs appear to be carrying the prisoner X-Wing pilot’s helmets. More specifically hanging from the back left ALICE Pack cargo pocket strap. I also caught the two Troopers on Crystal Patrol Duty in the background of this shot from the same segment of the bonus features. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
  14. Again Sandtroopers are deployed in more than one place, and the packs and accessories are designed for a certain type of environment not a specific place. So I don't think its right to name them after a location, we don't call the current sandtroopers "Tatooine Sandroopers". Just like your classic costume "TD - Sandtrooper - ANH", this one should simply be called "TD - Sandtrooper - R1". For the Crystal Patrol Pack we should just call it "TD - Crystal Patrol Trooper - R1" which is much closer to official reference than "Kyber Sandtrooper". These packs are not necessarily all worn sandtroopers as the movie and all the official reference material would suggest, the other "Sandtrooper Type 4 Field Pack" is specifically meant for Sandtroopers. I believe these names are much more appropriate and will coincide better with the existing costume titles.
  15. If both of the backpacks from Rogue One will be going to MEPD I feel the official names of these CRL character titles need to be discussed because "Kyber Trooper" and "Jedha Trooper" just don't seem right at all! I'm sure Sandtroopers are deployed on more planets in the galaxy than just Jedha or Tatooine for that matter, The Sandtrooper packs, armor & accessories weren't designed for one specific location, but rather certain type of environment conditions. We don't currently call TDs "Tatooine Troopers" so I don't know where the term "Jedha Trooper" came from, it just seems wrong to me on more than one level. Although there was one action figure with "Jedha Patrol" written on the packaging but the term 'Jedha Patrol' makes sense in this case as it was a multiple figure set based on the troopers in that scene. Just like your classic costume "TD - Sandtrooper - ANH", this one should simply be called "TD - Sandtrooper - R1". In my humble opinion. It's fits in nicely and coincides with the other costume titles. And instead of "Kyber Trooper" I think we should also stick to the classic name in official reference material with the addition of the word 'trooper' instead of "duty". I suggest "TD - Crystal Patrol Trooper - R1", again this will coincide with the other costume titles as well as official reference material. Here are comparison images of the two different packs I've put together. Crystal Patrol Duty Pack on the left, Sandtrooper Type 4 Field Pack on the right.
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