R2-D2 Subscription Build

Joined
Jul 28, 2014
Messages
717
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Location
Deception Bay, Queensland
R2-D2
Star Wars character
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R2-D2, is a fictional robot character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. A small astromech droid, R2-D2 is a major character and appears in only nine out of the ten Star Wars films to date. Throughout the course of the films, R2 is a friend to Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi in various points in the saga.
English actor Kenny Baker played R2-D2 in all three original Star Wars films, and received billing credit for the character in the prequel trilogy, where Baker's role was reduced, as R2-D2 was portrayed mainly by radio controlled props and CGI models. In the sequel trilogy, Baker was credited as consultant for The Force Awakens; however, Jimmy Vee also co-performed the character in some scenes. Vee later took over the role beginning in The Last Jedi. R2-D2's sounds and vocal effects were created by Ben Burtt. R2-D2 was designed in artwork by Ralph McQuarrie, co-developed by John Stears and built by Tony Dyson.
Design
George Lucas's creation of R2-D2 was influenced by Akira Kurosawa's 1958 feature film The Hidden Fortress (USA release 1962), particularly Tahei and Matashichi, the two comic relief characters that serve as sidekicks to General Makabe. Lucas and artist Ralph McQuarrie also drew inspiration from the robots Huey, Dewey, and Louie from Douglas Trumbull's 1972 film Silent Running.
The name derives from when Lucas was making one of his earlier films, American Graffiti. Sound editor Walter Murch states that he is responsible for the utterance which sparked the name for the droid. Murch asked for Reel 2, Dialog Track 2, in the abbreviated form "R-2-D-2". Lucas, who was in the room and had dozed off while working on the script for Star Wars, momentarily woke when he heard the request and, after asking for clarification, stated that it was a "great name" before going back to writing his script.
R2-D2 stands for Second Generation Robotic Droid Series-2, according to a Star Wars encyclopaedia published after the release of the film Star Wars.[4] Tony Dyson, owner of the special effects studio The White Horse Toy Company, was commissioned to fabricate the design, making four units operated by remote control. Two were used by Baker, and two were stunt double models made for the scene where the droid was shot from the swamp onto the shore on Dagobah.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R2-D2
 
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The issues so far.........
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All plastic parts are made from genuine plastic!

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All the silver pieces are metal and rather well made.

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The above main part attaches to the arm.

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More pieces for the arm. The box on the right is a power supply for testing various bits.

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Metal bit on the left is the centre of the dome (head). Bearing and screws and washers.

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LCD display and fittings.

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More bits for the dome and arm.

Each of the bits in the images came with a magazine.
 
Well unfortunately there won't be be any builds this month due to a stuff-up in the dispatch department, so in August and September I will receive extra magazines, until then "May the Farce be with Ya'll"
 
Well unfortunately there won't be be any builds this month due to a stuff-up in the dispatch department, so in August and September I will receive extra magazines, until then "May the Farce be with Ya'll"
G'day Eric
Can I ask 3 questions.
1: were did you get this from?
2: how much are each sections?
3: how many sections are there?
Hsvagoodone mate
Greg
 
Hi Greg and how are you?
You can get it from the following link: https://www.bissettmags.com.au/product/859 this is the Standard subscription,
Each issue costs $19.99,
There are 100 issues, you receive 4 issues per month, complete in 25 months.
Here is another link but you cannot order from them as it is available in OZ. https://www.model-space.com/gb/build-the-r2-d2.html

BTW, how central is the Central Coast? I used to live in Woy Woy and then moved to Tascott (little south of Gosford) in 1976 then to Sydney (Mosman) then to Cairns, now about 35K's north of Brisbane.
(And that's apart from the 20 years I spent in South Africa growing up or was it dragged up.)
 
Latest update, I received an email from DeAgostini notifying that the distributor of their and other subscription magazines in Australia has gone BUST!
DeAgostini are negotiating another distributor but no update from them as yet.
 
now this is really interesting !!
 
Latest update, I received an email from DeAgostini notifying that the distributor of their and other subscription magazines in Australia has gone BUST!
DeAgostini are negotiating another distributor but no update from them as yet.
That's a BUMMER mate. Good luck
Havagooday
Greg
 
Well today I had a WTF! and OMG! moment. We were out when the postie delivered mail this AM, So checked the secret hideaway and saw this large package. Thought it was a bit big for what I had ordered from Ebay, opened it and lo and behold there were three new books and parts for the R2D2!!
I had contemplated deleting this post AND just when I thought it was safe to go out and play with the trucks, mum called me in!
On the 9th December I officially become an aged pensioner (65.5 yo), there is only one problem with that, I NOW HAVE TO FIND TIME TO DO ALL THE THINGS I'VE BEEN WAITING 65 YEARS I'VE WANTED TO DO. Ahh sweet joy......... (I knew her well)
I will post some pics soon (not of joy!)
 
You are getting old Eric.
I'm not that far behind you memattie.
Early this year I applied for a senior card because I just turned 60. I thought to myself, you an old man now Greg. All of a sudden I'm old.
Happymodeling
Greg
 
Yes Greg, they say you are as young as you feel and if I feel any more young(er) the cops will take me away.
A few years ago I asked my dad who was 83 then, how does an 83 year old feel and think, his reply, he thinks like a 20 year old and most of the time he feels like he is in his 50's but some days he feels like he is 100. He passed away aged 84 in 2016 under very different circumstances. I take each day as it comes and hardly ever plan more than a week ahead.
Regards.
 
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Weeelll, after giving up hope of ever receiving more issues of this build today (21/05/2019) I received four issues which takes me to #19, so I will find the time to assemble the bits and post some pictures.
 
While waiting for the oven and dinner to Tango, I assembled the bits I received today.....P1010864.JPG

In top of picture is part of one of the legs, parts of the dome and on the right is a microphone.

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Closeup of some of the parts in today's batch,

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and view from the other side.
 
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