Mouse Vader
Sr Member
Just checked the length in inches 116cm = 45 in. That's very close to some of the measures we've had for Vader duel blades in ANH. Worth thinking about ?
The OT stunt lightsaber blades research thread
- Thread starter vadermania
- Start date
You got it! C’mon! All seriousness Tom, if it’s 123 for two of them I’ll go halfs on shipping with ya
I'd be down for that. wtf lol
I think... the anh stunt went through a period of only having a small set screw up top. I think quickly the black bolt situation was brought for a stronger attachment.. I don't remember the picture, but I've seen it on set in ESB without big black bolts up top
In your research, did you figure this specific model was most likely what was used? I'm looking at the current models and there are quite a few that look similar by the same company, and have no information to judge what would be around in the 70s!
So its a marine antenna, not a military grade antenna. I only ask because of the gigantic amount of surplus the studio bought back then. see attached british and US military grade vhs antenna.
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My input here is two-fold
1) the copper structure of these antenna would not react the way we see it react in the shoots. It may flex with the fiberglass coating, but copper is soft and permanently dents. I have some antenna that aren't coated and it's the same socket/same spine
2) I also noticed the blades in the bts footage have a specific tapered profile and none of the military ones seems to have it. It can be mistaken for a ski pole because it stays fat for a decent length, gradually tapering along the whole length. I know the white could be a coating applied by the effects team too, so I didn't include that.
Mouse Vader
Sr Member
I'm just thinking maybe this antenna was part of the 'array' of blades used/tested in ANH. Possibly towards the end of filming. Hence one gets dressed up for the promo shoot.
Thanks I appreciate your answer, perfection finding this stuff
Why wasn't this thought of sooner?!
I'd still be in for another though if we could do something about that shipping.
I'll probably need to make the pipe stunt now to pair with it.
If you look at the history of AC Antennas, HMP Antennenfabrik was acquired by Phelps Dodge in 1980. In 1990, CELWAVE acquired the marine antenna division from Phelps Dodge. I have a CELWAVE CX-4 A antenna at home, too. The shape of the antenna rod is quite similar to my old HMP antenna, but the antenna base/connector plug is different, and the antenna rod itself is an entirely different construction, too. It's "just" a white, tapered tube with an antenna cable inside. So the "original" HMP antennas fit the timeline of ESB production perfectly.
Had the same thought yesterday. That ANH duel Vader blade is very long and tapered, and if I remember correctly Vaders special effects blade didn't spin at all during the duel. This theory would collide with the fact that Jon Bunker stated the blades were made of balsa wood in order to minimize the risk of injury for Guinness. But I'm completely with you here, that 116 cm long antenna is damn close to what we see on screen for Vader.
ANH stunt coordinator Peter Diamond stated that the ANH stunt blades kept "snapping" all the time, which to me indicates that either they had a weak spot (probably around the connection to the lightsaber handle, like I experienced with my own balsa blade) or they were constructed out of a "weak" material such as balsa wood.
There are several shots during the ANH duel where you can see Guinness' blade bending, which makes me think that they were indeed made of a "softer" material such as balsa wood. It takes some force to bend the antenna, plus Prowse was a strong man and encased in the protective Vader suit, so yes, I think the antenna could have been possible for Vaders stunt lightsaber blade during ANH.
Is your hmp-cx4 as stiff as a carbon golf club?
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