dkraude - THANK YOU! Very cool - I appreciate the video details and I love your collection! Are the smaller shadow boxes that you have the clone troopers in also from Michaels?
LG update. Just finished up my lower receiver and now it is on to the engineering the trigger and adding the knurling to the barrel. (Knurling was an interesting and fun process to learn.)
Earlier this year I had organized a limited edition run of custom machined parts for the ROTJ A280 based upon the Prop Store Action Version of the blaster. I had a few extra kits so I started work on the Visual Dictionary version. There were enough subtle differences to warrant me adding it to my collection. Although I do like it painted black, I have a hard time keeping it that way as the weathering of the aluminum really accents the details imo. See the reference photo of the prop which has been brightened and contrasted in photoshop to help clarify what I am talking about.
I am still trying to identify how the original prop makers attached the front end of the sling. It almost appears as if the sling ring was attached on the left side of the barrel but I cannot see any metal around the sling? Does anyone have any ideas?