Jabba’s gate prop for Celebration 2023

Here’s some of the pictures taken of the design and build process for creating the iconic gate entrance for Jabba’s Palace entrance, seen in Return of the Jedi. 2023 was the 40th anniversary of the film, so the gate would be part of UK R2D2 Builders Club / Droid Builders UK, set theme.

Here are the Blog links to the posts for the construction and building of the set piece.

1. Jabba’s gate build - Part 1
2. Jabba’s gate build - Part 2
3. Jabba’s gate build - Part 3
4. Jabba’s gate build - Part 4

I started drawing up sketches for scale and construction, 2022, using information of the internet, still images from the film etc. We worked out the heights required and what materials we’d need.

The gate was constructed from wood with a skeleton framework behind. Supports were placed to attach to the upper section & also the side part of the ‘wall’.

Mike had the space to build the gate and I helped a little when I could. I was working on producing the entry droid eye, known as TT-8L Y7.

TT-8L Y7, was 3D printed but required some alterations in order to get his eye lid to open. The original design is a fixed position one.

I was able to source the ‘beads’ from www.BeadPark.com - transparent acrylic teardrops, faceted, clear 17x11mm, bag of 450pcs/500g

Next up was painting, electrical and figuring out how to mount the eye stalk.

For more, checkout the links above....