T-21 (LEWIS MG based) blaster "ribbed tubing"???

OdiWan72

OdiWan72

Master Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
Hey there

Being a daddy since the 1st october, there´s not much time for big, time-consuming projects...

So I am trying to finalise some props, that are WIP´s for ages, with just a small effort.
One of these projects is my hyperfirm Lewis gun, that is only missing the enfield slings (have these) and ribbed tubing around the barrel.

Already searched the web and found a hint over at MEPD about the tubing being the "BTTF orange tube".
BUT the BTTF tubing has 13, while the T-21 blaster has 14 ribs, so I have doubts about this theory.

What are you guys using for "accurate" ribbed barrel tubing?

sandtrooper_hd_090.png


Thanks for your input!

Markus
 
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I'm a Sandtrooper in the 501st Legion and the MEPD and for my T21, I used some really nice plastic door trim. Looks great and looks close to the screen-used stuff
 
Silverboyd, meet Markus.

Close ain't gonna cut it! LOL!!!

You need to check his blaster show off threads... He's looking for the found part etc.

Idk if it was ever identified?
 
OldKen said:
Silverboyd, meet Markus.

Close ain't gonna cut it! LOL!!!

You need to check his blaster show off threads... He's looking for the found part etc.

Idk if it was ever identified?
Click to expand...

Thanks for he kind introduction :lol
Actually I am indeed TRYING to find real parts to incorporate these into my builds, BUT I learned to settle with the next best when availability isn't given or the price is absolutely out of my reach. Not always easy to remind me of these principles when I am working on a prop ;)

back on topic...
As I have written before, people over at MEPD.net claimed these ribs to be the tubing they also used in BTTF.
But while its overall size and appearance is close, it is missing one "rib" to be accurate.
Other theories and solutions for scratchbuilds were PVC tubing, cable, doorm trim, weather striping etc.
close but no cigar ;)

so my search goes on, thanks in advance!

Markus :)
 
The first thing I think of when I see the ribbing and barrel piece, are leaf blower pipes.

View image: 00048245 00003

I know they were still fairly new in the late 70's and I'm having trouble tracking down models that may have been available around that time. The photo is from a modern blower and has a few extra ribs, but might make a good close-enough part.
 
OldKen said:
Silverboyd, meet Markus.

Close ain't gonna cut it! LOL!!!

You need to check his blaster show off threads... He's looking for the found part etc.

Idk if it was ever identified?
Click to expand...

Maybe with his baby induced sleep deprivation something might get past? :lol ;)

I always thought they just used some of that black drain pipe you find at any hardware store? I've never studied it for very long, but do the ribs spiral or are they evenly spaced?
 
What is that "sleep" you are talking about Jason? :lol

IMHO they´re evenly spaced

Markus
 
ive seen very similar tubing used for automotive exhaust, its flexible for quick and easy turns. It was popular back in the day for hot rodders building cars in the garage. Not saying thats what it is but its something to also look into.
 
I always thought that there was a connection to the "ribbed" cantina cups

(bottom center, to the right of cup with red liquid in it)
snoop_img.jpg
 

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Is there any evidence to support without a doubt that it is a piece of ribbed tube (as opposed to stacked individual rings or a piece of hose that has been wrapped around)?
 
Thanks for keeping this discussion alive!

I still think it´s a one piece addon, but I don´t have any evidence :(
Another issue to pay attention to is that the "tubing" has had to be flexible enough to fit over the bipod-clamp that´s attached to the Lewis´receiver.

There´s a good chance that the prop dept simply removed this, added the tubing and reattached it, but that´s not an option on all our or resin casts.

So I am looking for THE correct stuff to decide whether it can be used on our replicas or not...well, I think I will make it work somehow :lol

Markus
 
Let me just preface this by saying that I do not look at these pictures as hard as a lot of people here . Sometimes even when builders circle items on photos and describe the detail in question, I still do not see what they are talking about. I also realize that light and/or poor resolution can play tricks on the eyes. With that being said...

When I look at the picture you posted in the first post, I seem to see what looks like and overlap of material as if a hose has been wound around the barrel and then the ends were angled/tapered so as to help blend the ends to give an even edge.
 
Mara Jade's Father said:
Let me just preface this by saying that I do not look at these pictures as hard as a lot of people here . Sometimes even when builders circle items on photos and describe the detail in question, I still do not see what they are talking about. I also realize that light and/or poor resolution can play tricks on the eyes. With that being said...

When I look at the picture you posted in the first post, I seem to see what looks like and overlap of material as if a hose has been wound around the barrel and then the ends were angled/tapered so as to help blend the ends to give an even edge.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...you might be right.
I can see the "angled end of the tubing" at the front, pretty much exactly where the light hits it and creates a reflection....

Markus
 
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