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Tyranus

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Posts posted by Tyranus

    Hey, I've been transfered to Bespin!

    in Sandtrooper Armor

    Posted

    The second photo you posted is just footage from ANH that got spliced into ROTJ because they needed another "Oh s--t they're going to blow up the Death Star, let's all run around the halls!!!" scene and just threw the ANH footage in there instead of filming new stuff.

    I never knew that, but those few scenes of chaos were some of my favorite moments in the film . . . they felt very ANH. Now I know why.

    In search of Sterling

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    Thanks guys! I am having way too much fun with this project so far!

    I think the plastic T-Tracks look pretty darn accurate . . . and as close to accurate as I am going to attempt to come, where the grips are concerned.

    The close up pics show how lousy the paint job currently is. I will be stripping that paint off soon and cleaning it up . . . lots of fuzz and gunk now. I'll be getting her ready for a nice new coating. I think I am going to do a smooth black satin finish, not the Parkerized Sterling finish. It just doesn't look STAR WARS to me, and doesn't appear to be canon by any stretch of the imagination.

    I have decided not to glue the grips down either, there's really no need. They're trimmed to fit snug and tight between the vent holes they slip into. I will be painting them seperate from the gun and adding them back after they cure properly.

    The ANH guns were rented guns, and could not be permanently modified as they had to be returned after filming wrapped, hence the glued-on hengstler counters.

    I am trying to be as canon as possible with my replica, so mine will be removable as well. My hengstler will probably mount on a bracket that attaches via rivets to the middle of the scope rail, unless I figure out a better, more canon way that won't keep coming unglued.

    One thing I did notice that I messed up on with the grips, is the center top rail will need to be shortened by one vent hole when I find the tank scope. That last hole will need to be used to mount the front of the scope rail.

    In search of Sterling

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    Last night I bent, cut and fitted the T-Track grips on the Sterling.

    I started by carefully heating the tracks waving a lighter beneath them and rolling the track in constant motion so as not to warp or burn it:

    Posted Image

    This is the angle that seemed to work best for staying in the holes, and allowing the track to lay FLAT against the barrel.

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    Once bent, a snipped an angled piece off the ends with wire cutters and used a razor knife and sandpaper to shave off and round the edges of the tracks for a better, snug fit down into the holes.

    Posted Image

    With one end correctly dropped in, I marked the bend point for the other end. I determined that midpoint of the end hole was about where it needed to be.

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    Here are the results:

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    In search of Sterling

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    My T-Tracks from SABERFREAK (RPF) came in today from Malaysia.

    They are stiff, but bendable plastic. They'll need trimming and heating to bend and fit into the holes, but are now being considered more accurate than rubber for the E-11 grips.

    Their origins are as inexpensive drawer guides. They were cut and stuck into the vent holes on the original props, and on the MG-34s, they had wire wrapped around them to keep them in place.

    Posted Image

    Aluminum Dewback Prods II

    in The Barracks

    Posted

    There are 6 Dewback Prods from this run still left if anyone is interested.

    This is being posted on the GT and the MFP forums as well. They go to the first 6 responders.

    These can be seen here:

    http://troopermods.blogspot.com/2006/02 ... -prod.html

    and here at the 2006 ASK Walk:

    http://mfptroopingevents.blogspot.com/2 ... -walk.html

    and were used in the Rose Parade.

    The price is $94 per prod, shipped to your doorstep ($12 of that is shipping).

    If you are interested, PM me.

    My paypal address is:

    ward@astromech.net

    Please include a valid PHYSICAL shipping address with your order!

    In search of Sterling

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    OK...I did the cut-down on the magazine this weekend, and it went really well.

    Here are the pics of the process. The only thing I forgot to photograph was the cut-down of the spring inside, but it's in there!

    I also made sure to keep the part that was stamped STERLING 9MM 34 RDS as a souvenir. <!-- s:) --><!-- s:) -->

    Posted Image

    Cutting along the edge to make a thinner piece to bend back:

    Posted Image

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    BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN BENDING/FOLDING THE METAL OUT. THE SEAM OF THE MAGAZINE WILL TRY TO OPEN UP, AS MINE DID HERE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT IN TIME AND CORRECT IT

    IF I HAD IT TO DO AGAIN, I WOULD CLAMP A STRIP OF STEEL BAR ON EITHER SIDE TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING:

    Posted Image

    I then cut the bent "Wings" off shorter and used the Dremel grinder to grind them down to a perfect lip to fit the sliding cap.

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    Moisture Farm Patrol

    in The Barracks

    Posted

    We're in the process of doing this in the Pacific Northwest, but it seems using the word "patrol" was discouraged as it seemed a rip-off of the MFP. Is this still correct?

    I was under the impression that they don't want anyone using the Moisture Farm part but the "Patrol" is ok.

    I think these quotes from previous posts address this issue, and speak to the basis for naming that the MFP retains the name "104th, Moisture Farm Patrol". From what I have seen in them, the "Moisture Farm" part was deemed taken, but the "Patrol" part was absolutely transferrable to any forming local unit.

    Thanks Dean, all great info, clears up a lot of questions. We discussed last night making our group an unofficial group like the Kilted Brigade for all the reasons you stated, being very careful to keep the 501st name off the site and any t-shirts/patches. Maybe in the future the 501st will add a new level that we would qualify for but for now we will remain unofficial.

    I'm not sure how much I like some in the MEPD laying claim to the MFP name, I mean it's flattering that you want to have a Moisture Farm Patrol too but I think there are many other cool names to be had and potential Patrols should strive to be creative not all cookie cutter with the name. The Moisture Farm Patrol is what we call our unofficial group so that name is taken. Fair?

    Dune Sea Patrol - Pit of Carkoon Patrol - Anchorhead Patrol - Tosche Station Patrol - Jawa Patrol - Jungland Waste Patrol - Dewback Squad (jk) and then there is probably a ton of EU references to be had...

    Sorry if it looked like I was suggesting we infringe on your trademark - if it seemed that's what I was proposing it was only under the auspice of trying to clarify what the boundries of the whole concept of a patrol was, as I believe most people would rather coin their own moniker (at least that was what us in Seattle were thinking). My apologies if it came off as overstepping my bounds or common courtesy.

    No worries! I was feeling protective but there is no trademark! Just thought it'd be more fun to have loads of cool names for the patrols

    Yeah, no offense for using the name as a base for my area. Just ideas. Didn't mean to step on any toes. Thanks for the inspiration. Feels better to come up with out own anyway. Fair.

    E-11 Mag Housing Cylinders

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    HOLY CRAP WARD! That is really wonderful and what a fantastic lead! Now to hunt for one of those Radiolettes'. It would be amazingly awesome if that was the part!

    Thanks Seth.

    I am very excited about the possible find, and Paul has been SUPER-nice in the emails back and forth. I also spoke with Chris Trevas from the Parts of Star Wars website about it. He had this to say:

    Ward,

    What we really need to look for is a whole rack of these things. The prop department cut them down into pairs. They came as full racks of 6.

    Interesting info, but I can tell you they were racks of 7-pin vacuum tubes. Those are the fragile glass parts Paul remembers removing.

    The large empty sockets were identified by the MSE droid builders forum.

    Audio equipment is likely the correct direction. I've been focusing my research on amplifiers (which use 7-pin vacuum tubes, often in sets of 6).

    Maybe you could ask Paul about amplifier equipment. Chewie's bowcaster and Luke's hunting rifle both have Fender amp knobs on them.

    Chris

    So I emailed those comments to Paul and he responded this morning with this:

    That makes sense, the shop always had big old radios and "portable" amps for musicians which were big things. They had those other amps that went between a record deck and speakers too, I think marshalls were going well by then ?

    ------------------

    Sent from Paul's Blackberry phone www.elstreeprops.com

    I think we are getting EXTREMELY close to locating what this part is. If anyone out there has resources that could help, check them out. If granny has an old radio, or you know of an antique shop with old radios or amplifiers with vacuum tubes, ask to check them out.

    E-11 Mag Housing Cylinders

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    I just got a reply email from Paul Harrison at Elstree Studios (One of the men who worked on building the Landspeeders and Mouse Droids for ANH)

    Here is what he had to say:

    Hi,

    We built the originals but the art department did a lot of the dressing up. Most greeblie parts came from Elstree Electrical, which was an old store on the high street that had old oscilloscopes, valve radios etc.

    But those parts I think were just spark plugs with the porcelain knocked off with tender tap from a hammer! We helped John Stears on the mouse droids too, we had it running around the workshop, based on a Datsun 280 RC sports car from what I remember. I think it was old valves on there. Most glass bits were broken off as we knew they wouldnt survive shipping, it was easier to remove them and repaint.

    Hope this helps,

    Cheers, Paul

    Sandtrooper Fan Fiction Gets a plug!

    in The Barracks

    Posted

    Thanks Rob! I hope you enjoyed it.

    It's a great link to be able to give kids too. The story is rated PG...very mild violence and SW language.

    More should be coming soon for the story. I have been a little busy with the arrangements for and general excitement over the Sterling and accompanying parts.

    E-11 Mag Housing Cylinders

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    I'm sure you're right . . . military surplus of some kind. The perfect resource for a low-budget film:

    Cheap and in great abundance for the propmakers in England.

    I just remembered that Elstree Studios has a website on which I had seen plans for the Mouse Droid. They did not detail the parts used, but I thought I would check it out regarding the Speeder, and there was an article on the site about construction of the Speeder. (see link below)

    http://www.elstreeprops.com/Latest_News ... ws.asp.htm

    I then emailed the main information address for Elstree with this message:

    Hello,

    I was browsing your website when I happened across and read the article by Paul Harrison telling about the origins and building of Luke's Landspeeder for Episode IV, A New Hope.

    It is my hope that you can forward this email to Mr. Harrison as it comes with a question for him regarding a part that was used to decorate the hood of the speeder.

    There was a strip of sockets and cylinders (please see the attached picture) that was used to decorate an opening in the hood of Luke's Speeder. it was also used on the top of the Mouse Droid, which I know you also created. (please see the attached picture)

    I am trying to determine what these real-world parts are as they are also used for the cylinders which appear on top of the magazine well on the Stormtrooper Blasters in A New Hope. (please see the attached picture)

    I have been emailing with the guys at "The Parts of Star Wars" and other prop builders, and this part has yet to be identified.

    Your help would be greatly appreciated in helping me uncover the origins of these parts.

    Thank you so much for your time and assistance.

    I'll let you know what I hear back!

    E-11 Mag Housing Cylinders

    in E-11 and Bapty Blasters

    Posted

    I just found these pics of the Cylinders that were used not only on the Mouse Droid, but also as decoration for the hood of Luke's Landspeeder. They appear to be in the same configuration as on the mouse droid, which leads me to believe that this arrangement is how they are found in the REAL WORLD . . . as part of a strip of input/output sockets of some type:

    Posted Image

    And here I have a picture of Submarine Power Resistors:

    Posted Image

    Does anyone know what shop or who built the Landspeeder? If so, we could pursue them to try and determine the origins of these hood detail greeblies. Just a thought.

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