Organic Mechanic
Sr Member
Well, I can confirm (as if I ever had a doubt) that my local AutoZone no longer carries any wiper blades with the old style clip.
Hey, it was worth a shot. XD
Hey, it was worth a shot. XD
Darth Vader Hero Lightsaber From The Empire Strikes Back?
- Thread starter Avolow
- Start date
Sym-Cha
Master Member
There used to be a Volvo 'graveyard' near town, not sure if they are still in business with spare parts but as soon as the weather permits it may be worth to check it out with a picture of this lightsaber ... if only I had known about several Volvo parts being used in ROTJ I'd have salvaged those . . . before sending my first car to it's final resting place :cry
-Chaim
-Chaim
Organic Mechanic
Sr Member
Are we sure that the metal was painted silver on this, and the picture isn't just crap?
I did a quick assembly of my Graflex extension and my Strobonar battery casing and, while not identical, the finishes are remarkably similar to one another...
Also, if you pick up a Strobonar, be aware that unlike the Graflex/MPP/Heiland flashes we're all used to working with, this thing has capacitors. These things can hold a charge for years, so be sure to try to discharge them before you start rooting around in the guts to disassemble this beast.
Luckily, mine hadn't been used in so long that I didn't have a single charged cap, but you can never be sure.
I did a quick assembly of my Graflex extension and my Strobonar battery casing and, while not identical, the finishes are remarkably similar to one another...
Also, if you pick up a Strobonar, be aware that unlike the Graflex/MPP/Heiland flashes we're all used to working with, this thing has capacitors. These things can hold a charge for years, so be sure to try to discharge them before you start rooting around in the guts to disassemble this beast.
Luckily, mine hadn't been used in so long that I didn't have a single charged cap, but you can never be sure.
Something else that should be mentioned.
Props aren't built to the beautification level we think they were back then, and not even now. most stuff is slammed together as cheaply as possible and cleaned up on film, or just looks a ton better on film. I saw one of Kenny Bakers R2-D2's in 2006 and the thing was a fiberglass disaster. but didn't show the level of craptastic workmanship on film, nor on my own photos. So this could very well be a Hero version, or it could not. With the level of cataloging that was done for EP 4,5 & 6 it's really difficult to say one way or the other.
Props aren't built to the beautification level we think they were back then, and not even now. most stuff is slammed together as cheaply as possible and cleaned up on film, or just looks a ton better on film. I saw one of Kenny Bakers R2-D2's in 2006 and the thing was a fiberglass disaster. but didn't show the level of craptastic workmanship on film, nor on my own photos. So this could very well be a Hero version, or it could not. With the level of cataloging that was done for EP 4,5 & 6 it's really difficult to say one way or the other.
Sym-Cha
Master Member
Thanks Marcus for putting my mind at ease ...
Also the T-track in this saber seems to match with the real modern T-track that Marv is offering ... it seems a little higher then the original vintage T-track:
-Chaim
Organic Mechanic
Sr Member
Alas, no. Not without some modifications at least.
This is the profile of Marv's grips.
The width is 7/16",the height is 11/32".
To me it looks like it's too wide at the base of the ridge.
I intend to use these for mine, but I'll need to reduce that taper a bit. Both for cosmetic accuracy, and to accommodate the mounting screws.
This is the profile of Marv's grips.
The width is 7/16",the height is 11/32".
To me it looks like it's too wide at the base of the ridge.
I intend to use these for mine, but I'll need to reduce that taper a bit. Both for cosmetic accuracy, and to accommodate the mounting screws.
vader45
Sr Member
We know this is infact 100% not the hero...do some research. The hero is an MPP flash gun and is in the Lucasfilm Archives. The hero does look tons better than this hilt prop.
I'd like to respond with this - when I said it was ugly, I was comparing it to the other props from 4,5 & 6 which, while they aren't pretty, still have some air of completeness and a tiny bit pf professionalism to them. aka, none of them would cover up a seam with one square of material on the front, or (this is also an answer to another question) paint the thing afterwards. It looks painted to me simply because of the lack of reflection that Graflex shells usually have - and it matches the body too. I could also be wrong on that lol - but my point being - while all the props/sabers from those movies are crappy, they're all similarly crappy and this prop breaks the mold.
Here's another pic of this prop
lonepigeon
Master Member
The hero MPP Vader saber is not in the Lucasfilm archives. It's privately owned. It used to be on display at a casino/ museum in Pennsylvania.
The t- track on the saber being discussed has ridges with flat parallel sides, no taper. That's the main differing feature from screen used t-track.
The t- track on the saber being discussed has ridges with flat parallel sides, no taper. That's the main differing feature from screen used t-track.
Hey, for some reason I never paid attention to this detail - thanks for pointing it out, good to know
And there is another thread on the RPF discussing the hero, pictures and everything (though it's a bit rusty)
Organic Mechanic
Sr Member
Hey, great pic THD! Thanks. Details there I couldn't see in the others. Wherever did you come across it? Are there any more?
Organic Mechanic
Sr Member
Under what search terms? I can't find that pic under anything I've tried. lol
Sorry for the necro-bump, but I just finished mine up. Obviously mine is slightly idealized -I didn't want it to be quite as craptacular as the original.
Here's my attempt:
Here's my attempt:
Looks great
There's a thin piece of metal at the top of the Strobonar that runs across the opening of the tube. I found a screw that matched the threading on the bottom of the Graflex, drilled a hole for it on the Strobonar strip, and screwed the two together. A threaded rod wound have worked too though.
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