R5-D4 Funko Pop inspired 3D model

Each week I usually focus on just one particular project.

Recently though, I’ve been working on a few.

• LED’s light strip, see workbench upgrade post, coming soon……
• A ‘vintage car’ glovebox 3D printable, stronger version than the original cardboard one
• And something that I’ve wanted to do since the ‘original’ 3 legged R2-D2 concept Funko Pop came out….. Model R5 as a 3 legged version.

Funko beat me to it with their twin set of R5 & R2 at Celebration Europe earlier this year 2023.

My Pop is stored away, so this version is a modified version of my own R5 that I modelled years ago, for all the R5’s variants Funko haven’t produced, with its own unique angled stance and new 3rd centre leg, with single ankle cylinder, just as the 1977 R5 should be. This is now available for download in my Etsy shop.

The body to leg (shoulder) mounting location was modified to a suitable angle. The leg ends also had to be modified to accept the outer feet. Finally, the centre legs ankle and cylinder had to be modified.

Specifically for individual part printing.

But my first test print was a fully assembled model version, see above Cura printing image.

First test printed really well, though I have made some adjustments to the rear panel gaps, corrected a few other little things.

Next idea was to produce a detail drawing showing the views of the 3D model. I was thinking about uploading these to my Etsy page as an additional downloadable purchase…..

May even do a special offer for the first 5 downloads of the 3D file(s) that the print is  included 👍🏽.

I still haven’t done an R2 style dome yet, but it’s  on my to do list.

I do have the R4 dome as well as the R5 special style dome of R5-PHT from Solo a Star Wars story.

So I’ll make versions of these too......

👉👉👉👉Link to my Etsy Shop

Celebration Europe 2023 - Jabba's Gate Door Build - Part 3

February 2023:

And Mike has almost finished the main sections of the door.

Tuesday 7th I popped up to help him test fit the upper section onto the base part. It all held together and is going to look great!

The rear view, showing a better structure than I had drawn up lol. With the wall section added, this will give additional structural support to the upper section.

We discussed the side wall part, which will be the section next to Mike, on the right (in above picture). A few ideas for simplifying it were discussed to keep weight, work and cost down. Making it easier for Mike to build.

Progress has seen the base coat of emulsion paint applied. The rough texture is required.

Before I knew it, Mike had started on painting the walls.

Progress of the colours.

He’d also made a start on the end wall structure:

Mike wasn’t the only one busy. I had been spray painting the eye components.

Next up was the arm links with the spikes on.

More in the next post….

Celebration Europe 2023 - Jabba's Gate Door Build - Part 2

January 2023 comes to an end and Mike’s got the main parts of the gate framed up.

And next, the upper section too.

Paid Mike a visit today (January 30th), and talked about how best to build the next stage. One thing for sure is that just these pieces alone are heavy!! We’re going to need to make up some wheeled skids to be able to move this around!

He’s also been busy building the back frame.

As well as the recessed panels.

The upper part of the door now has its recessed panels.

I've been able to get some more overnight 3D printing done on the TT-8L droid.

Celebration Europe 2023 starts here: Day T-1 The journey

Stopped at Mike’s to unload my stuff and then reload his so everything fitted….just!

So the van went from this……

To this……😂

And this is just the rear doors view 😂, R5 on the right, two droids in the middle, R2-XL behind, then two more behind him! Plus extras, plus travel bags.

We set off from Bristol around 2pm. Arrived at our destination at 8pm!?!?! 😳😲😳😲😳 Yes, 8pm!!! We had delays from accidents, pedestrians on the motorway and by the time we got to the M25 circular ….home time work traffic and possibly football fans heading to Wembly stadium.

Thankfully there were people still there to help us unload and help set everything up. We parked the van up £130.00 lighter, for the next few days as we’ll be travelling from our hotel via the underground/overground train. One thing I don’t have a problem with is the cost of travelling within london on it’s transport 👍🏽

We got off at Canary Wharf tube station and Oliver reminded us that Rogue One was filmed here 🤩🤩🤩 we have to get photos tomorrow said Mike 👍🏽 then a 10min walk to the hotel, dump bags and back down to grab a drink (or two) with Sam P, Nik H and old acquaintance Brian Herring (BB8 fame).

Was to late for food but not for drinks 😂👍🏽

After two of those I was ready for bed.

Helped calm me down lol.

Day one starts in a few hours. So lots of photand videos to come, plus some surprises and behind the scenes stuff 😎👍🏽

Celebration Europe 2023 starts here: Day T-1

So last night I picked up the hire van and its big lol. Well it’s not just for me but also Mike’s droids as well as a few other things/props etc.

Thursday 6th April: T-1

Loaded up all my things into the van and then headed down into town to pick up Mike and all his droids etc.

Loading everything in, good job I’m the Tetris king 😂👍🏽. Once complete, it was time for the drive up to London.

I’ll post part 2 of T-1 (T minus 1 day) Thursday evening (hopefully lol)

Celebration Europe Droids 2023

Look sir, droids!!

Here’s where to find them...

#thesearethedroidsyourlookingfor #droidbuildersuk #ukr2d2buildersclub #europeandroidbuilders #celebrationeurope2023 #droidbuilders 

Celebration Europe 2023: Droid Builder’s assemble

This year Star Wars Celebration is coming BACK to the UK. Representing Europe, all droid builders will be attending……

Well, that is still what we hope will happen. As many of you will know, the ticket situation was an absolute nightmare for being organised. Myself and others, signed up to purchase four day passes, but the small print, meant that even though you were in a queue, it was still a random selection…….well that’s NOT a queue, and us Brits know how to queue 😂👍🏽

Then on Thursday 5th January I got an email from the Ibis hotel, cancelling my reservation!!

Double checked it wasn’t a hoax 😳, nope!

With no reply to my emails, I phoned them to ask…..there’s been a block booking! And it automatically sends out a cancellation notice! They were no help at all and even gave me the same email direct to the hotel I had already used.

Soooooo…… Saturday was spent searching for hotel rooms for the required dates.

The good news, was I was able to find a room with twin beds (not a double 😂).

The bad news, is that it was further out and more money 😒. I didn’t book it though, as after not hearing back from the hotel, I Tweeted about the situation, and ‘@‘ the hotel directly!

Within a matter of hours I had a response AND a DM saying someone would be in contact. After a few days I received another DM & an email confirming that my cancellation had been an error and that my booking was now reinstated.

This was a relief, but still the ticket issue was still outstanding. This matter was eventually resolved between the organisers and the R2 group organisers.

Birthday Wishes to my Son

Today marks my Sons 14th Birthday.

He's still as excited about R5 and his adventures as he was when he first asked me 'can you make an R5 Daddy!?!?!' all those years ago.

This is one of the most memorable pictures taken back in 2016 at Celebration Europe. It's an old one, but it checks out!' lol

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON!

More Star Wars Celebration - You Tube kids TV

I tracked down presenter number two's video on You Tube, (back in February).

She doesn't get to talk with R5 (tho she was filmed doing so),
but he can be seen at the beginning of her 'mission'.

You Tube link to Disney Channel ES.

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.

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.

R5D4 gets some screen time.....

 .......on 'Sky's Star Wars Greatest moments'

I was away at the time, but my friend Karen, recorded the program for me. She had already watched and posted up on FB about seeing R5 on the program lol.

I mentioned in my post 'Celebration Europe 3 2016 event-report PT3' about the mini film crew & Alex Zane and was a little thrown when he was stood next to R5. I did get a very quick picture and video. Mark Cox took this great pic of the filming.

Filming for Star Wars Greatest Moments 2016

Also in the shot is R2 & Mike's yellow R2

Here are my screen grabs, lol...

This takes me back, I was just rolling R5 around and these guys asked if they could have R5 in their pictures. Then R4 & BB8 roll past and join the now growing photo opportunity for the first wave of attending visitors as the doors opened in the morning.

If you watched the programe, you'll also see R2-M80 (Matey, yellow) roll in front of us.

** Celebration Europe 3 - 2016 - The Event Report PT5 **

Saturday 16th July 2016
Today was THE busiest day of the convention, as this was sold out from both the first set of tickets & then the second set released earlier this year.

Early start again, but I'd got the hang of this train business now lol.

First things first: battery power check, system's check and then a quick roll around by the Star Wars Live stage.

R5 meets another droid on the Star Wars Live stage

First Order Tie Fighter & Pilot with OT Pilot

Whilst taking pics of these guys, they asked if they could have R5 in their pictures.

See above. Then as the main crowds started to come in, we were swamped by people taking pictures, videos and selfies lol

Live on stage

 It was gettin busy by the stage area, so decided best to move R5 back over to the Builders area. This was easier said than done, as the crowds were busy flowing through & of course, taking more pictures and video's. These kids dressed as Jawa's were AWESOME!!! With Jawa sound effects too!

Driving back, I bumped into these guys,

 David M. Santana, Sandeep Mohan & Samantha Alleyne

Was great to meet these guys, as I 'follow' them on Twitter, it's nice to actually meet them in person. I know my daughter was excited to know that I met a female Stormtrooper :)

The rest of the day was more display work, where the droid que still went all the way around the stand! Lot's of people asking questions about building, which is good. [And since the event, lots of people have signed up to the forums www.astromech.net & also the UK corner www.astromech.info to find out more about how to build an Astromech Droid]

Friends who made it on the day were Karen, in her Boba Fett dress & Colin Barker. Tho didn't get much of a chance to catch up with either.

The place was packed all day! With most people going to the 'Panel' shows, there were quieter periods, tho as we were right next to the room (curtained off) we could here the cheers from the fans.

I didn't go to any of these panels as it would of meant missing out on supporting the R2 Builders, which was my own personal reason for attending the event. And I knew that I would be able to catch up on it all via the You Tube channel.

The builders were meeting up for food and drinks again afterwards, but I had to go and meet up with the family to pick up my Son who was joining me for Sunday's last day.

Train & tube into central London and back again to Barking. Stopped off for tea in KFC, when the walk back to my hotel.
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Sunday 17th July 2016
As today was the last day, I'd decided it would be easier to drive the car and park it up for the day, rather than train in/back/pickup car/drive back in, tho £15 for 24hrs.....wow!

So up at 7 and after breakfast, loaded up suitcase etc and headed off with one VERY excited (tho calm) Son, in his Han Solo costume.

Han 'JJ' Solo
In his escape from the Death Star cosplay

Had to get a pic of us together :)

We met up with the other builders and did introductions for him :). Then it was off across the convention to the South Hall.....

And one (of a few) with R5 :)

The morning I was attending the R2 beginners building talk. We passed the excellent 501st & Rebels displays & had to take a pic of Jay with R5 against the Tantive IV corridor scene.

R5 & Han Solo on the Tantive IV

And after stopping for more photos with people, we eventually made it to the talk, taken by Stuart Bone & Oliver Steeples, with me assisting. These pics were taken by my Son.

Yes, see that one there?? That's mine. lol

Olivers R5, Stuarts R2 & my R5-D4

The talk lasted about 45 mins, with a Q&A at the end. Then people could come up and get a closer look at the Droids & ask more questions. It went really well and the feedback was good from people there. Some didn't even know we had our own stand at the event, which was quickly sorted out with directions.

It was then another trek back through the crowds & photos' to get back to the builders stand lol.

Around mid-day, we had a special visitor to the stand, Mr Anthony Daniels himself. He had a guided tour round the stand, looking at the droids, Astromechs & BB-8's.

Anthony Daniels assessing the BB-8 stand

Anthony Daniels with Giles R2 & Alan's half scale R2.

Oliver, Antony & Lee

R5 managed to get in on most of the pictures lol. Anthony was most amused with the drinks on R2's tray. The tea bag in the tea cup, said 'Blue Milk' ;) lol

Then C-3P0 joined the stage and was introduced to his maker lol. Big shout out to Simon Wilkie who does an outstanding performance!

The afternoon half of the day flew past in no time at all. Whilst sorting things out in our rest area, Jay had his picture taken with Lee.

Jay & Lee Towersey

We had some smaller remote control R2's on the stand, from Bladez Toys, these were great for the kids to play with & the actual stand selling them, sold out of all their stock on the Saturday!! Jay & myself were helping Giles out on the Sunday. These great pics were taken by Felix of the European Builders.

These are the droids....the kids.....were looking for lol

---

Guess who walked past me.....stupid focusing on ipad, wasn't quick enough :(

Katherine Kennedy!

Katherine Kennedy

Also re-met Jack E. Curenton, the winner of the fan made film: Star Wars Generations.

Video is here. Congrats on the win!

Jack E. Curenton

Jack had popped over to see the builders as he was helped out by Mike Senna, with his R2D2.

As the day drew to a close, we gathered up all the Droids for the now customary end of event group photo. Lots were taken, including ones by my Son. But this one is by far the best and now a standard.

C-3P0 is holding a love Emma sign for Micke, a club members little girl,

who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Details can be found here.

Well, the day came to a close and the crowds drifted away as the Halls were closed to the public. Then the process of dismantling the display and saying goodbye to group friends began. After a few hours, we were all done, packed up and cars loaded for our journeys home.

I had the most fantastic time & an experience I will never forget! This group of people are a family and I am proud to know them all! I know my Son had a blast for the day as well.

Some were already looking forward to Celebration 2017. Something I won't be able to attend, but still, look forward to it. There's a few more things that I will no-doubt remember later and will post up later lol. But for now, thanks for reading.