The OT stunt lightsaber blades research thread

[DaveP]

So, as an experiment I bought a military surplus antenna for literally a couple of bucks, and I can say that the diagonal lines in the video definitely mirror what is on my antenna that I picked up (and a few others that I saw) which made me immediately think of this thread. I didn't have calipers on me, so I wasn't able to measure until I got it home. Dimensionally it's inaccurate (16.6mm diameter with no taper), but the similar wrapped texture to whats seen in this video definitely tells me the "blade" absolutely is military surplus antenna (in case that was at all in question still), so I'm gonna hunt for a surplus antenna that meets the requirements of 1/2" (12.7mm) base with a taper and this similar wrapped texture to use for my spinning blade Obi Wan saber. Let the hunt begin!

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Hi there. That's a cool find. Further on in the thread though, I actually disregard the diagonal lines on the Yuma blade. If you look at the reference, you'll see the same diagonal lines on the actual hilt which leads me to conclude that they're artifacts in the image from it having been digitally scanned and then enlarged.

Also, you mentioned that your antenna is inaccurate because it doesn't taper? Well, in the case of the Yuma blade, that's actually correct. There was no taper. This is what leads me to believe that it was simply made from 1/2' stock material (most likely fiberglass rod).

The 1/2' diameter is pretty accurate as radial dimensions can be reliably determined using 2d photogrammetry. More so than length/height/etc.

 

[thd9791]

Pic dump:
ANH

You can see the Luke Motorized stunt in Vader's hands. Tapered blades.

Black stripe on Obi's long blade, meaning the reflective tape doesn't wrap all the way around the blade

ESB

Above: MPP, no grips, shroud and collar around base of blade

Above: Luke holds the Pipe Stunt, and (I was wrong) Those are lights from his helmet and the set - Vader is choking his lightsaber with his hands, right up to the emitter, and the blade goes past his helmet and right into his hands. Barbican or MPP

Above: Full length of the Dagobah MPP blade. Maybe a bolt there.. maybe not. The clamp is facing the left, downwards.


ROTJ

Above: Harold Cole stand-in for Vader, pick-up shot inspecting Luke's Lightsaber. You can see the rails on the box. You can also see the top of the emitter, and probably the nipple itself. No collar above the nipple. Tapered Blade.