Throw Back Thursday - Han Solo costume for Celebration Europe 2016

This week’s throwback is to the Han Solo costume I made for my Son, to attend Star Wars Celebration Europe back in 2016.

Originally he wanted to go as a Stormtrooper, but I persuaded him it wouldn’t be very practical or that it would last to be worn again. After I showed him a pic of Han after they escape from the trash compactor scene & him wearing a Stormtrooper's belt, he was sold.

The boots were off eBay second hand, but in perfect condition & the trousers were bought from Tesco’s. The shirt, jacket (vest) & scaled blaster, were made by myself with help from Karen.

Here are some of the links to the making of his outfit:

• The beginning
• Never tell me the odds
• E-11 scaled blaster build begins
• The vest work begins
• Boots
• Trousers

Hope these help if your thinking of making something for yourself or your kids.

FLASHBACK - A year ago today Star Wars Celebration 2016

A year ago today I had arrived at the Excel Centre in London and was unloading R5 along with the other guys and girls of the R2 Builders club. Once what we could help with was done, myself Ian & Matt, newly acquainted, went off for a pre-opening walk to check out the event.

Whilst exploring we were amazed to see THE Steve Sansweet!

I waited till he had finished chatting to others and asked if I could have my picture taken with him. It was early, but he graciously agreed.

Myself & Mr Steve Sansweet

I was star struck lol, and didn't even think to give him one of my freshly printed Trading Cards.

Rogue One - Celebration Europe 2016 - Disney XD

After tracking down the Disney XD presenter Maro Sandoval, lol :D,

I finally found the TV advert that briefly features my R5.

Screen time is about 0.5 seconds lol,

you can find him at 1:58 seconds into the You Tube clip.

UK R2D2 Builders Christmas Event 2016

29.Dec.2016
I hadn't been able to attend this Christmas Event in previous years, but this year would be the first of many to come! Lol, two things more important than Christmas, were Rogue One & this builders day :D

My two youngest came along and enjoyed the day, and like myself, meeting new fellow builders & the 'Usual Suspects' builders too lol. We arrived about 2PM, driving up with fellow Bristol builder, Paul Felski, who followed.

The event also doubles as an inspection of the droids, for safety at events. Control and stability of these is very important!

There was food layed on and a Death Star, two flavoured cake, thanks Emma!

The last time there were this many astromech's in one place, I'd say, would of been Celebration.

My daughter, was NOT operating R2's dome lol, but a toy BB-8

  

Just some of the droids.

Then we had the group photo....

Another great day, that flew by. Looking forward to attending events in 2017

2017 - New Year

Happy New Year

Bit late, but have been busy over the Christmas/New Year period with the family.
Didn't have any free time to work on any of my projects, but have a few posts that needed posting, due up next.

Lots of event's to hopefully look forward to this year, if not with R5, then with the rest of the UK R2 Builders Club, so will post event's as and when.

December updates......Rogue One

Not posted up for a while, been busy working on and re-working Jessika Pava helmet.

Jessika Pava Helmet
It definitely needed to be smaller, which I posted up a while back, so have been re-working the size, fibreglassing, body fillering, sanding re filling ....repeat. The next plan is to go the cast route which I've been reading up on. You tube to the rescue lol, as i think this would be best. Wouldn't want anything to happen to the helmet and it be damaged.

Due to work issues, internet access has been restricted, and this was the only available free time I could update this blog, it will have to wait now till the new year.

Rogue One
WOW!!! I took the wife and kids to see the film on the Thursday (here in the UK) and we weren't disappointed!! It had everything a 'war' film should have plus it was Star Wars lol.
A lot of people have moaned about changes made, but personally i felt the film flowed and the continuity flowed though out. No spoilers, ill just say I wasn't disappointed and the kids enjoyed it too, which if kids get it, why can't adults ??? Lol.

Friday, was an early start and a long'ish drive to Milton Keynes, to meet up with fellow UK R2 Builders and Joker Squad. We were attending the iMax cinema's Rogue One day. Was great to catch up with everyone and raise cash for charity.
Will add updates and photos in the New Year.

There's another builders group day after Christmas to look forward too as well.

So for now, I'd like to wish everyone who follows this blog & has visited here a happy & Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Lots of good things to look forward to in 2017, so stay positive people :)

Im now on instagram also on Twitter and Facebook lol.

Feel The Force Day - Peterborough 2016 **Event Report**

Another early start to the day, and another long journey from Bristol to Peterborough, but all in a good cause!

Feel the Force Day website link

On arriving, there was a crowd of people queuing up and also having photo's taken with a host of attending costumers. Stormtroopers, the Movie group prop cars, Batman to name some. Mark was there, I got to briefly chat to him, with his Steampunk 'Tumbler' (inspired from Batman).

There were so many people at the entrance, we joined other costumers using a side entrance to get R5 inside. Big thanks to Emma for helping.

This is what Feel the Force is about.
This young man spent about 10 minutes, touching R5, listening to him beep.

R2 leads the way

This is the crowd as we entered the main arena. I had to stand and wait for about 10mins as R5 was getting so much attention.

Adam & his R2D2 made their way though to where his set up was, but the main stage.

Princess Leia meets R2

Lara wasn't to impressed with Hacker T Dog's antics lol

But he did want his picture with R5......good doggy lol

Hacket T Dog website link to CBBC

R5 & R2 do play nicely with each other.......sometimes lol

Wookie's

More love for R5....

awkward moment.....move along.....move along.......phew!

Pikachu! And not a 'Go' in sight! lol

Adam take's WALL-E out for a spin

There was a lifesize toy box from The Force Awakens, this was a great hit with everyone!

And of course R5 had to have his picture taken......tho this took about 10mins as everytime I was about to get him out his box, somebody elase wanted to take his picture lol.

R5-D4 toy boxed

It was another long, but great day! I had to leave about 5 as traveling back home and evening plans. Big thanks to Emma for her help, spotting etc.

Check out the website via the link at top, look forward to seeing you next year.

New Blog cover picture 2016

Decided to update the title page picture with one of my actual R5.

The original one was a classic, but thought one of my R5 was overdue for his own

build blog.This one was taken by fellow (European) builder, Felix Beyer.

He took loads of pictures at Celebration Europe & this is one of a few of R5.

Feel The Force Day - Peterborough 2016

October 1st see's Feel the Force Day return

Feel the Force Day website

What is Feel the Force Day?

Feel the Force Day events are film and TV conventions with a difference. We design our events around disabled people and make them as accessible as possible. We understand access does not just mean a disabled loo and a ramp, it’s about attitude, contact and all the subtle things that make things easier.

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Loads of costuming groups will be attending & I'm able again to attend this year with R5.

Check out their website for loads more about what's happen.

Chippenham Sc-Fi Day 2016 - Event Report

R5 was loaded up into the car and my Son was attending with me again, in his Han Solo costume. Also, Karen was a volunteer helper for the actual event.

The drive from Bristol to Chippenham is not a long one & we arrived earlier than I had planned, due to there being no traffic.

The short distance from car park to the Hall, R5 attracted a few stares and 'oooh look, R2' lol :D. Inside people were set up & setting up still, I missed Paul Felski with his awesome B9 Robot from the Original 'Lost In Space' tv show, along with other film classic Robots.
Lost the photo of Paul with his B9 robot...but there are pics on the Chippenham FB page.

The event is spread out over a wide'ish area, to include not just indoor, but outdoor too. There was Jedi training in the Emery Gate shopping centre, with Andrew Lawden, and fellow Astromech builder Mark Enright with his Batmobile Steamer, along with other prop cars.

Chippenham Sci-Fi website link

The event opened at 10am and was busy straight away. The Milton Keynes Garrison, Southern Troopers were just a two of the groups attending. Marvel characters as well as Predators & Dalek's roamed the halls.

R5 had lots of fun with kids big and small lol. And entertained all day, even with his 'bad motivator' (more on this in another Blog post).

R5 with some fan's of his lol

what are the chance's of R5 meeting BB8...?

R5 entertaining two new friends (just in front of him)

Late afternoon, Pam & Clem had a walk around and posed graciously for pictures with guests and Cosplay'rs alike.

Pam Rose & R5

A Wookie, Han JJ Solo, R5D4 & Clem So

Pam Rose & Clem So with the MK Garrison

Imperial Officer - Pinup style
Karen told me she wanted another outfit that was a bit informal for events, yet hopefully instantly recognisable.

She had seen a 50's 'pin-up' style outfit that she was able to create without it costing the earth. So after buying the recognisable Imperial belt & buckle, teamed up with a grey pencil length skirt, black body & the hardest item to find.....a short length, plain, grey cardigan she was happy with the look. Black stockings & black heels.

She also found the insignia badge, that she sowed onto the cardigan.

3D printed Imperial insignia

Her outfit for the day drew quite a few admires & lots of positive comments.

She wasn't to happy with one pic I took, but was defo smiling when Andrew Lawden commented on her outfit and happily posed for a pic with her lol.

We had to leave early, due to pre-arranged family commitments. But we had a great time & got to meet up with friends. Roll on next year.

Chippenham Sci-Fi 2016

Only two weeks to go!!

Check out their page for all that's going on.

Chippenham Sci-Fi home page

R5 will be attending & hopefully a few other members

of the R2 Builders group will be there as well.

This will be mine & R5's third year attending this event

since it started three years ago.

Click here for the Ticket's link

Famous guests who have apperared in

Dr Who, Red Dwarf as well as Star Wars

So that's September 17th, all details are on their website, link above.

Follow them on Twitter and then tweet your pics from the event :)

** Celebration Europe 3 - 2016 - The Event Report PT3 **

End of our first day, Thursday for us. The droids that where there ready for Friday morning, were all set up and ready. Food was ordered and we all made our way outside to await its delivery. Pizza all round lol.

Group pizza

After dropping off our droids, we had to park up. This was something that was an extra cost i didn't need :(. £15 for 24hrs was ok, but I didn't need this as would be staying at a hotel which had parking. One of our members, also concerned about cost savings, found a website called Justpark. This is an online website where parking spaces are advertised, fantastic! Me and Andre T, used the same church car park for the few hours needed, total cost was £3.10. (available from 8am - 9pm) Bargin!
(Recent large financial outgoings meant that I was/am on even more of a tight budget unfortunately).

Once pizzas were done, others were heading for drinks. But i had to find my hotel, check in etc, as wanted to be fresh for the day ahead. So i said my goodbyes and headed the 5 min walk back to my car. I also needed to check my route to Barking train station from the hotel, which was about 10-15 mins walk.

I arrived at my hotel without to much traffic hassle......i joke. But the Ibis hotel was a great relief. I unpacked and got what i needed for the day ahead, ready.

Friday 15th July 2016:
I woke up at seven and after breakfast, made the walk to the station. Its been a few years since i last travelled on the London transport system & first time using contactless travel. It was so simple tho and after my three short train journeys, i arrived, along with a few others at The Excel centre.

My R5-D4 trading cards I picked up Thursday

Mine & JJ's passes

As I walked in, I thought, oh....not such a big que forming in the main hall way. Then I remembered the actual que hall, lol. As an exhibitor, tho because I had bought passes, I wasn't technically issued with one of these, you were allowed through the bag check point via a separate que line.I had to then wait for Oliver to pop down to 'clear me' through into the North side of the Centre, where our stand was in section N9.

I/we all were checking over our droids, batteries charged etc and generally all hyped/nerves for the opening day ahead. Because it was a Friday, the initial crowds were slightly less than expected, but that was probably a good thing lol.

I was asked if I could move R5 to be infront of our iconic Sandcrawler display, made by Paul Wiz, to be next to Giles' R2 & the Jawa's. Around 10am as I walked back round I saw a mini film crew, not an unusual sight, but his time I recognised the presenter lol. I was more surprised that he moved into position right behind my R5!!

Sandcrawler scene

Alex Zane & crew

Short filming complete

So keep your eyes out for something Star Wars related on the TV featuring this man lol

More builders arrived during the morning and the crowds started to gather around the builders stand. So long in fact that it went almost all the way around it!! And stayed this long for most of the day!

Friday's R2 Builders Club stand - ques

Lots of questions were asked about how to build a droid, how much it costs, materials used etc. And lots of happy faces, both old and young :)

More to come of the day in Part 4.......