Star Wars In Concert

It's been too long since I posted a Mission Brief...

Wednesday, July 14th 2010 I was able to participate with the Rebel Legion and 501st for the Star Wars In Concert event when they came to Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a R2-D2 Builders' Club member/R2-D2 builder, I was also able to bring along my newly RC-ed R2-D2.

It was a blast! I've never seen a crowd of young fans that were as into the original trilogy as these kids and their parents seemed to be. Typically, the parents like the original trilogy but the kids know all there is to know about the Clone Wars. I saw mostly little Leias and several Jedi Lukes. It was awesome! They all adored R2-D2 and the majority of them were actually quite gentle. I only had to shoo away two kids (one for trying to force the dome to turn, and one for pulling on a utility arm).

We stayed until just before the concert was going to start so that everyone who wanted a picture with R2 could have one. Then, I let him roll down the hallway toward the elevator. It was slow going at first because people who hadn't seen us before kept stopping us so they could have pictures with R2. Eventually though, the famous "20th Century Fox" fanfare started and the crowd was thin enough I was able to get R2 down the hall. In fact, I had a hard time keeping up with him! I'm very pleased with his new batteries. :)

I didn't have an opportunity to take any pictures, but here are some "borrowed" pictures:

Bringing R2 in (pushing him on the dolly to save the batteries for "show time")

Our "station" in one of the halls at the VanAndel Arena. We eventually had to move further down the hall to avoid the blockage that was starting because of R2's photo line! This picture was taken before the doors opened. After the doors opened, there was a MOB around us the entire time.

Testing out R2's controls before the doors opened:






My husband (Rebel Pilot) & I (Leia) with R2-D2 and our new friend Maggie (Jason, our kids, & I were Star Wars "decorations" at Maggie's wedding July 3rd).
Picture Credits:
First 5 Pictures by Zod
Last Picture by Josh Headd

Remembering Celebrations Past

As I anticipate Celebration V and the chance to once again participate in the R2-D2 Builders' Club droid room (this time with a 100% complete R2-D2) I took a look back at Celebration II and Celebration III.

The First R2-D2 Builders' Club room was at Celebration II. There weren't many of us there, and I didn't have much more than a handful of parts at the time, but it was SO much fun! There was a droid parade and a R2 Builder member even dressed like the exclusive action figure Jorg Sacul. We got to have a Q & A with "Uncle" Don Bies and we got to get close up views of the ILM-built "uber" R2-D2 that was used in Episodes 1,2, and later 3.

At Celebration III, George Lucas came for some special sessions on Saturday morning. My husband & I (with baby son in tow) didn't think we'd have a chance to get in to one of them, so we didn't even try. As we got to the R2 room Saturday morning, people were being herded down the hall toward the ballrooms. We were asked if we'd like to see George, so we said "YEAH!" and followed the herd toward the ballroom where George would appear. We got to see him, which was really cool when we weren't expecting it. As we were heading back to the R2 room, there was a big guy blocking the door. I tried to move past him and he blocked my way saying no one was being allowed inside. I said "Even R2 Builders?!" He said, "Oh! Builders are allowed" and let my husband & I in with the stroller & our son. Once I got past Goliath at the door, I realized WHY he was there. George Lucas was inside, touring the R2-D2 Builders' Club room!! After he looked around the room, he was gracious enough to pose with the members who were present for a picture! How awesome! It truly was the greatest Celebration moment yet! I'm not sure how any Celebration can top that unless George comes again, and this time I get to shake his hand!!


(Click on an image to see it larger)

Celebration II:

The group (I'm in the row of people standing, 4th from the left, the woman dressed as a Jedi Padawan) :



"Uncle" Don and the droids (ILM's R2-D2 is front & center) :




"Uncle" Don, Mieal Deneb (me), and ILM's uber R2:




Me posing with the REAL R2-D2:


Celebration III:

The group with George Lucas, Don Bies, uber R2, and Rick McCallum (I'm the only woman, dressed as Beru Whitesun in the middle of the right side/edge) :

Countdown to CV!

I decided to create a countdown clock so I know how many days I have left to work on projects until CV.

RC Setup

Here are pictures of my R2's RC setup.


My radio is an Airtronics:




Looking in from the top (dome removed):



Closeup of the Sabertooth setup:



A closer view of the Sabertooth:

Grand Rapids Griffins Star Wars Night

March 6th, 2010 was the annual Grand Rapids Griffins Hockey Star Wars night. R2-D2 was RCd for the first time and moving!! The week before the event, I got the pocket vents finished up and attached, and then I weathered everything so he looks more "real". It was great fun to have R2 a part of the charity photo booth and see the excitement on all the kids' faces!

TOYS!

My R2 is a big step closer to coming "alive"! I got my radio, receiver, 2 servos, a dome gear, and dome motor with motor controller yesterday and today (it all came in two packages). I got everything in trade from a friend and fellow R2-D2 Builder's Club member for sewing him a X-wing flight suit.

I'm so excited I'm that much closer to bringing "life" to my little guy. Now, I need a dome bearing* and I'll be able to remotely move the dome!

(The Pottery Barn Kids R2-D2 lunchbox is a birthday present to myself to store my radio in.)


*Being low on funds, I originally had planned to cut down a Sit 'n Spin and use inside the dome (unseen) as the bearing to turn the dome. However, the HPs and various lights interfere with the plastic case of the Sit 'n Spin. I had ideas to cut out the case around the elements inside the dome. However, the Sit 'n Spin bearing hangs up because of the angle of R2's body (& therefore his dome). Sit 'n Spins aren't designed for angles, but for flat on the floor use. So, I'm going to have to come up with the money for an aluminum 17 inch "lazy susan" bearing after all.

Dome Details

I had a request for pictures of my R2's dome: