R2 Blue

I have been working on R2-D2 once again, and the paint color has become my new project. Over the last few months I have tried over a half dozen different colors. While on Facebook, I noticed several R2 builders post a rattle can paint they said was a perfect match for what we call "R2 Blue".

I was skeptical that a single color would do the trick, as the paint appears to have shades of blue and purple when viewed at different angles and in various light. Needless to say, I ran to my local auto parts dealer and found a can. To my surprise, it was a perfect match!

Several cans later, I have all the parts repainted in the new blue (Dupli-Color Sonic Blue Pearl), and absolutely love it.

One problem solved!

Stratolaunch Systems tour.

We joined up with retired Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, and gave an hour long presentation to the the engineers at Stratolaunch Systems in Mojave, CA. They are currently building the worlds largest aircraft, which will carry rocket payloads to high altitude, then release the rocket which will they fly into space. The wingspan is over 385 feet! Amazing day.

Celebration VII

Still recovering from an incredible convention. I was fortunate to operate the actual screen used Episode VII R2-D2 during the presentation Thursday morning with Kathleen Kennedy and JJ Abrams. Special thanks to Oliver Steeples and Lee Towersey for an incredible experience!

The sandcrawler set was well received, and thousands took photos in front of it, as well as many media outlets, who used it for interviews.

The R2 Builders display was the biggest yet, with over 100 droids! Well done kids.

 With R2-D2 and BB-8

 Daisy Ridley

 The R2 Builders Club

 Michael McMaster, Oliver Steeples, Lee Towersey

 The StarWars.com crew

 Backstage during the presentation

 The crowd reaction after seeing the Episode VII trailer

 Anthony Daniels in front of the crawler

 The crawler crew...Gordon Tarpley, Max Cervantes, Michael McMaster

 My monitor view during the presentation

 Kathleen Kennedy, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, JJ Abrams

 R2-D2 and BB-8

The finished display

Busy Year!

It has been a while since my last post...it has been crazy busy in the workshop. For the last few months I have been building a 1:1 sandcrawler tread for Star Wars Celebration 7. The set will be a photo op for the R2-D2 Builders Club, and will be on the main show floor. The set will have all the droids seen in the original film, during the "droid auction" scene. I built the main structure, Gordon Tarpley of GT Props created all the molded parts, and prop master Max Cervantes painted the main structure as well as the treads.

The set will be on display in Anaheim at the convention center from April 16-19th.

Comikaze 2014

Wow, 2014 Comikaze was bigger and better than ever! I am still sorting through hundreds of photos we took at the con, and will post a few of my favorites next week.

I am now working on yet another new robot project, and will share more in January!

WALL-Es Next Event

Comikaze Expo is a little over a month away, and we are looking forward to seeing you all once again! More info can be found at: http://comikazeexpo.com/.

Group Photo Time

Chopper dropped by the shop for a short visit, so I decided to grab a few pics. He is already on his way back to Lucasfilm, ready for his next adventure.