This is a 1/2 scale R2D2 kit by Deagostini. Sure, there are plenty of replicas of Artoo but I was attracted to the fact this one has a fair amount of electronics in it and what appears to be a one-piece aluminum dome. My thinking is this prop will be something I'm not as embarrassed to show off to friends (everyone loves Artoo) and it will be fun to scare the hell out of cats with.
I started with his dome skeleton since the construction method was strange and alien to me. Almost like he was from another world.
(click to enlarge)
You basically start with a solid metal disc that has a spot in the center for a ball-bearing. You then attach the first row of black plastic "ribs" using tricky-to-handle nuts and screws. Once you figure out a method this task goes quickly.
(click to enlarge)
You'll notice some panels have unique cut-outs for future parts.
(click to enlarge)
I was a bit worried when I first saw that the ribs were plastic, but once the reinforcement plates are sandwiched in between it's a very solid frame.
(click to enlarge)
The kit comes with a cheapo plastic base for the solid steel tube to fit into. I'll admit when I was putting the stand together I was thinking "well isn't this an unnecessary waste of parts?"
(click to enlarge)
As it turns out once the dome is attached to it and spun the real value of the temporary stand becomes obvious (to spin it around and make R2D2 beeps.) It probably helps the dome from getting busted during assembly too.
I started with his dome skeleton since the construction method was strange and alien to me. Almost like he was from another world.
(click to enlarge)
You basically start with a solid metal disc that has a spot in the center for a ball-bearing. You then attach the first row of black plastic "ribs" using tricky-to-handle nuts and screws. Once you figure out a method this task goes quickly.
(click to enlarge)
You'll notice some panels have unique cut-outs for future parts.
(click to enlarge)
I was a bit worried when I first saw that the ribs were plastic, but once the reinforcement plates are sandwiched in between it's a very solid frame.
(click to enlarge)
The kit comes with a cheapo plastic base for the solid steel tube to fit into. I'll admit when I was putting the stand together I was thinking "well isn't this an unnecessary waste of parts?"
(click to enlarge)
As it turns out once the dome is attached to it and spun the real value of the temporary stand becomes obvious (to spin it around and make R2D2 beeps.) It probably helps the dome from getting busted during assembly too.