UK R2 Builders - The Last Jedi @ Odeon IMAX 2017 - Event Report

Location: IMAX Odeon cinema, Milton Keynes
Groups:   UK R2D2 Builders Club & Joker Squad

An early start Saturday morning (R5 was already loaded up the night before). It was a crisp clear morning, stars were still out, no traffic on the motorway, tunes on the radio.... 😊

**This Event Report contains NO SPOILERS!!**

Arrived just after 9am (2 hour drive up), I met the others who were already unloaded & did the same. Then it was time for our viewing of The Last Jedi, in the IMAX screen. WOW!! I thought the film looked good when I saw it Thursday night with the kids, but the IMAX's depth of field, made the space scene's even more amazing!

Once out of the screening, we set up the droids to join the Joker Squad members who were trooping already. Just had time to say hi to fellow club member Stuart Bone, who was only able to attend for a few hours with his R2, but was good to see him out and about.

The rest of the day was then rolling around and having fun & photo's being taken.

 R5 & Matt's R2-D2

Just some of the Joker Squad group

Here more pictures, that were taken by fellow R2 Builder: Chris Williams.

The faces and the reactions speak for how great a time everyone had.

And here's a pics of some of us lol

Matt, Chris, Emma, Mike & Me.

Not in the pic's are Lee T & Adam S.

We all stopped for a sit down meal in TGI's, which was just next door, then back into the cinema for a last hour or so of fun, selfies, group pics and entertaining the visiting film go'ers.

We eventually finished up, loaded up and once Emma had cut the cake for Colin's birthday, we said our goodbyes and headed off home. Mine being the furthest, but as always, well worth it!

Checkout more pics of the event on Instagram using #astromech, #ukr2d2buildersclub #miltonkeynes as examples.

The combined efforts of the clubs,

we raised a grand total of £500!

For our chosen charity

UK R2 Builders - The Last Jedi @ Odeon IMAX 2017

** SPOILER FREE **

Members of the UK R2D2 Builders Club will be in attendance

at the Milton Keynes

Odeon IMAX cinema

on Saturday December 16th 2017

This is our third outing at the cinema

and again we'll be joining up with Joker Squad.

With 8 builders attending, this should be an extra special day for

visitors to the cinema on the day.

James R5-D4 Instagram link 👍

The Last Jedi - tonight's film

THIS POST IS SPOILER FREE!

Been waiting to see this and now it's here. I've only seen the first trailer and have avoided speculation etc as to how the film's story line goes. Toys and other pictures aside, I know nothing beyond what has been shown.

With all the recent Premier event's, that friends have attended (with & without R2-D2's), am really looking forward to tonight's 7:15pm (GMT) screening with my two hyped up kids lol.

~~~

Then on Saturday, myself & R5 will be joining other members of the Club for a day event at Milton Keynes Cinema, like last year's Rogue One film release. I'll be posting up pictures from there on my Instagram account & Twitter as well no doubt lol

Event Report - Leamington Spa Wars 2017

Friday night was loading up the car night. Got this down to about 15-20mins now lol. All ready for the off Saturday morning.

Saturday morning, early start. Met up with Paul Felski (& his R2-D2) and he followed me up in his transporter.

Just over an hour and a half drive up, we arrived at All Saints' Parish Church, Leamington Spa. And knew we were at the right place as Lee's van is unmissable lol. Glynn arrived at the same time, so we all unloaded and set up the droids.

We were all set ready for early birds opening at 10am, when we were asked if we could move our transports to a more convenient parking area......? 20mins round trip later, we had found free parking and had walked back to the Church. Thankfully Emma was able to keep an eye on the droids etc. Tho we did then miss the local paper interview.

Link to the papers website.

The guest list was impressive, Actors to prop makers from the original films, including film makers from 'Elstree 1976'. The new release from Helix stationary were on display as well as loads of vendors.

Lee got asked to attend the 'Force Awakens' Q&A panel, when someone mentioned he was there & had worked on it.

Banners set up.

One of the two tables, this one had my R4 dome with a few other items on.

Paul & Lee answering questions.

R5, R2-D2 & R2-PHT

 Lee's R2, Glynn's R2-PHT & Lee's other R2

Paul, chatted with Natalie Cuzner, who amongst over acting rolls,

played PZ-4CO in 'The Force Awakens'

We had a good day, chatting with visitors, explaining about the droids & how they were built. Talking about the Club & how to join. www.astromech.info for the UK, www.astromech.net for the world wide group. There are some great pictures up on Instagram #spawars, #spawars17 (just two examples) so check these out as well.

The event finshed around 5pm, and we packed up the droids and display. There was a film showing afterwards, so the hall had to be cleared away and seating re-arranged for the screen.

Emma dropped us back to our cars and then we headed back to the Church to load everything up. We said our goodbyes and headed off our separate ways.

For there next event in 2018,

check out their website, via link at top of Blog Post.

Event - Leamington Spa Wars 2017

This Saturday, December 2nd,

the UK Builders Club are head up to Leamington Spa, for......

link to the website: Spa Wars

98K Blogs hits.....WOW part 2!

WOW!!!

.....was only a week ago that I posted up that people viewing this Blog had reached 97,000 hits.

And now, you've hit the 98,000! Big thanks everyone :)

I hope people find this Blog useful and informative or even light entertainment lol. R5's got a few events coming up in the next few months, so keep an eye out for these Blog updates.

Plus he's on Twitter & Instagram (click links to head over to them). Not forgetting R5's Facebook page. Instagram usually goes live first (as it's easy) then this Blog will get full details & more pics at next available time.

Comment below to say which social you follow.

Feel The Force Day 5 - Peterborough 2017 **Event Report - Part 2**

There were stage shows on throughout the day, plus radio Peterborough were reporting live from the event.

As with most event's, we don't get time to take many pictures, but I did manage some of our mini area, including members of Joker Squad.

Agent Peggy Carter (Joker Squad) with R5

If I've told him once, I've told him a thousand times not to talk to strange droids.....

members of Joker Squad

R2-PHT & R5-D4

There were lots of people, some even dressing up for the event. The other side rooms had sense areas for touch and smell, as well as craft making area, Jedi training as well as lots more. The weather was great outside for people to look over the cars etc.

Standing up all day tho takes it's toll, and by 5pm myself and Glynn (R2-PHT) called time. Both having extremely long journeys home. Adam with his R2 & Wall-e, stayed till the end.

Another great time had by attending and people displaying/cosplaying alike. Check out their website link, for links to their Facebook page etc.

Feel The Force Day 5 - Peterborough 2017 **Event Report - Part 1**

Another fun packed day for all who attended.

I had loaded R5 up the night before as I wanted to be away early Saturday morning.

Quietly, up at 6am, out the door my 6:30am and on the long journey up to Peterborough.

Arrived around 10am and met up with Glynn & R2-PHT, Adam & his wife arrived not long after with his R2-D2 & Wall-e droid.

We were over in the 'Star Wars' corner along with Joker Squad.

There were crowds of people outside being entertained by costumed attendees & also the array of cars from films. American style police cars, classic & new, 'Bumblebee',

lowrider pickup truck as well as Mark's Podpad studio 95 Spider Batman inspired vehicle.

The doors opened at 11am, and the main area soon filled up.

....been a busy week plus weekend gone I had a special event to attend.

Feel The Force Day 5 - Peterborough 2017
Event Report - Part 2.......coming soon.

Littlebits - Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit

Seems a long time ago now, but when we were at the

Force Friday 2 (link to my Blog post) event at John Lewis,

the Littlebits team were there with their Droid Inventor kit.

The attending club members chatted and were asked if we would like to review the kits.
At the asking price, I personally couldn't justify buying the kit.
These last few weeks, I've seen other's, review the kits and so assumed that a quota had been met and that I wouldn't be needed for testing purposes 😄 lol.

So yesterday, the wife messaged me to say a package had arrived, I hadn't ordered anything??.......oh wait, my new club top perhaps??

Got home to find this.....

WOW! 😲

It was a busy evening last night, and my kids had already gone to bed.
We have a busy next few days and then I've an important event on Saturday.
So I won't be able to let the kids at this till Sunday at the earliest 😄 & I'll be asking them to write me a review (which I'll take full credit for.....spelling mistakes an all 😄 lol)

A big thank you to the people at Littlebits for this.
For their main website, click their name at top of page
or search up online for UK shops

Feel The Force Day 5 - Peterborough 2017

Just reminding you all about this event at the end of this month (here in the UK).

Feel the Force Day, is not just Star Wars, but covers film and theater and loads in between.
There will be costume groups from all over the UK, stalls, activities, sensory areas, famous guests as well as 'film' cars etc. Ive been able to attend the last few years and even as someone attending with a prop, I've had a great time, chatting to people, explaining things about R5. People who maybe visually impaired are able to touch items to better get an understanding of the objects being discribed to them etc, without the usually comments associated with some props..... 'sorry, you can't touch'.

Am looking forward to being part of and helping make this event another great day for attending visitors. R5 will be joining a few other UK R2D2 Builders Club members...........

Pictures from past event days.....

Ill also be trying to post pics on James R5D4 Instagram page if free for two minutes lol, but all pics will be posted up later in my event report and on R5's Facebook page.

R5's transport sledge 'upgrade work' pt 7

Had time at the weekend to finish off cutting out more wood from the sledge.

Time and thought has to go into where to and where not to cut!
As you need to think about any potential weak points. Hence the rounded hole edges etc.

Once all were cut out and edges taken off with a file and then sanding.
The frame top section was re-attached.

The frame is now no effort to lift, I don't have to tense up my body/arm to lift it by itself.

Next was to apply the first touch-up coat of paint to the cut areas & to give the whole frame a fresh coat.

'R5-D4 - Events page 2017'

I didn't think I would have many events to attend this year,

but I do have two more penciled in.

These have been added to my new

R5-D4 - Events page 2017

page tab at the top of my Blog page.

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Click on the logo's below to take you to these sites for news and more info.

Feel the Force Day - Peterborough

September 2017

~~~~~~

Leamington Spa Wars

December 2017

Both events will be attended by the UK R2D2 Builders Club

Star Wars Lego Land Weekend - April 2017

The UK R2 Builders Club will be attending

Star Wars Weekend at LegoLand Windsor.

We'll be joining forces with:

Joker Squad, Sentinel Squad,

Mandalorian Mercs, Rebel legion UK.

Myself & R5 are only able to attend on the Saturday, due to family commitments,
but am still really looking forward to this!

The weekend will be full of all your favorite characters!

Hope to see you all then.

Star Wars Celebration, Orlando 2017

Unfortunately I can't make it this year,

but am just as hyped about it & for those I know who are going.

There will be UK R2 Builders Club members as well as friends from Cosplay groups.

There photo's I'll be following and 'liking' so check out my Instagram page & Twitter feed for the pics I'll be viewing.

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.