| Firstly, apologies for the overall quality of
some of these images as some are frame grabbed from some video I took with
my old video camera , at FAO Schwarz in Orlando, in 1998. However these
props have come up in forum discussions recently and I though them worth
including, as I haven't really seen any images of these knocking around.
The Don Post Life Size Lucasfilm Archive statues were produced in
limited numbers and given that you needed a truck to move them, are now
somewhat of a rarity.
Originally costing $4,500, the Stormtrooper (DP Ref 82022) strikes a menacing
pose (or so the publicity material says). Despite the armour being made in
sections, it is in fact glued/bolted together such that you can forget
ever wearing it. It's probably for this reason that just a few of these
were shifted, after all do you want to pay this price for something you
cant wear, or a quarter for something that you can? If you watch the documentary
on the AOTC DVD you'll see a couple of these in the Lucasfilm offices.
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| Just managed to find another image of the DP
statue, along with its plaque of authenticity |
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| I've just received these images
which are much improved and far better illustrate the detail of the
statue. Overall the build quality of these items are excellent, although
the Stormtrooper looks a little odd as the helmet (the same as the limited
edition fiberglass Don post Deluxe) has an unusual look about it. I
understand that rather than cast an entire helmet, the DP guys only cast half
the helmet and then mirrored the sculpt. Why on earth they did this I
don't know (Lucasfilm concern over copies, helmet was damaged on the other
side?) I don't know. |
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| But because of that the Statue isn't
quite film accurate, although it still an excellent prop. |
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| Each one has a unique number, and
looking below, the strange symmetry of the helmet is understandably less
apparent when viewed from the side, hence it looks more accurate from this
angle. |
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..another photo sent to me, this one of very few
Stormtrooper Statues in the UK. |
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Below, Marcus has sent me these shots of his recent
acquisition. Despite a few scuffs its in really good condition and he got
it for a very keen price. |
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Below a nice close up of its blaster, which is not half
bad! |
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| and a close-up of the helmet
that, apart from a bit of brow-trim replacement looks great |
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| Now these helmets were shipped out
so the helmet couldn't (easily) be removed. However with a big of grunt work
Marcus has been able to remove it, and this is what he found..... |
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| As already mentioned, the helmet is
actually the Don Post Deluxe, although changes were made such as the opaque
eye lenses. In addition it looks like DP filled part of the inside with
fiberglass behind the eye and then stuck a big blob of something so it sits
right on the head. |
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Below is Illusive Concepts Vader Reveal (shoulders and head), not a Don Post,
but thought it relevant to the other images. When available it retailed
for about $1,400. Not sure if it was 1:1 as it was some distance away when
I took this (see below for Illusive's Yoda) |
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| Below, Juan sent me these shots of
his Illusive Vader helmet. It was sold on its own without the rest of the
display but shows its a really nice looking helmet. |
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| its actually very reminiscent of
the ESB fencing helmet suggesting that may have been a potential source.
However all the original ESB/RotJ Vader helmets were from the same source so
its difficult to pinpoint exactly where this is derived. |
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| Either way its a very cool looking
helmet - nice one Juan. |
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| Below, here's a couple of better
photo of the Illusive Concepts Reveal Vader sent to me by a guy wishing to
be known as "True Fan". |
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| ..and the below by way of size
comparison with Don Post Deluxe helmet on the IC Head/Shoulders. |
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| The stunningly fantastic C3PO statue from Don
Post. Initially they were about $7,500 until DP realised just how
much time and effort went into making them and so they drastically upped
the price. These are just brilliant and even if you did fork out the sort
of cash they were looking for, you'd still make a heap if you sold it now.
I would think you'd be looking at over $10,000 now, plus a hefty freight bill. |
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| I've just taken these pics (May 2003) of the
3PO at Disney - MGM's Star Wars Week-ends in Orlando. It looks like Disney
bought both the C-3PO and R2-D2 from FAO Schwarz on International Drive.
The detail on the face is amazing. |
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Below the original shots taken in 1998 at FAO. |
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And below the Don Post R2, this one now at Disney-MGM. |
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| Artoo was a bit nice too, not quite as collectible though as there are a
number of fan-made units around that are practically as good. |
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| February 2008 update - There was an urban myth that said
that the Don Post C-3PO statue was only 9/10th size, though this has
recently been called into question. According to Don Bies, when they made
the DP 3PO mould (off a screen-used suit) they removed the moulds too quick
causing some shrinkage - however the exact amount is not known. Don
continues.... The suit that Don Post made was originally created from
molds that we made at ILM for a Planet Hollywood display. This is the mold
that Chris speaks of that we need to have really fast and kicked
(accelerated) the silicone to cure faster, thus introducing some accidental
shrinkage. The GI 1000 silicone we used has a certain amount of shrinkage
without an accelerator (not sure, but it could be up to 3%). We created our
fiberglass castings from that, and then Don Post used those same molds to
pull their master cast. Since they then had to mold it again, potentially
more shrinkage was introduced, thus bringing up the total shrinkage amount
to 6%, and maybe more due to accelerators and resin shrinkage. So claiming
10% might not be too far off, though you are correct in stating that the
only way to know would be by measuring. And it certainly is possible that
some parts are smaller then others, bring the whole suit average to another
number. Comparing a photo of Anthony standing next to the suit is a bit
unfair, as the acid test is whether or not it would fit him (I'm sure it
would be tight and more uncomfortable then normal). Don Post knew his height
in the suit, and since the separations between the chest and the trunks can
vary, as well as the thighs to the trunks, the whole suit's height can
change by a couple of inches.
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| Above and below another couple of
shots from TrueFan of his excellent Life-size Collection which apart from
The Don Post C-3PO and R2-D2 also includes a (Pizza Hut?) Jar-Jar. |
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...I'm Green with
envy................. |
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| This quartet of photo's above and below are of
Todd's excellent Don Post Boba Fett statue, which I am sure must be the
pride of his collection (and check out his room!). The attention to detail
from the guys at Don Post is excellent and the prop includes the wookiee
braids and patches etc. |
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| Here's a couple of pics of Brent's
Don Post Boba Fett statue. He's got quite a nice life-size collection going
as has the Rubies Vader and Pepsi Darth Maul too (see the
Rubies section). |
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| The purists may question the
accuracy of this life-size but it does make one hell of a display piece.
Even Lucasfilm has one in their offices so it cant be too bad! |
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Rubies / Illusive
Concepts Life-size's |
| Below is the ESB Yoda from Illusive Concept, nice little fella but................ |
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| It looks good until you compare it against the Rubie's AOTC Yoda (below), which looks rather good, and very reasonable priced (around
$400-$500). |
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Rubie's Prototype from catalogue.... |
...and as delivered |
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And to the left, a great photo from Bothan Jedi of his
Rubie's Yoda. |
