by Jeffery L Harris

These figures started life as toys, I think, because the level of detail is not very high. And the only way you can see the original lightsabre blades "lit up" is to view them in a closet with the door shut. However, one glance at these "mega-collectibles" spoke volumes about painting and lighting potential -- and the fact that I bought them on sale!

To remove the original wiring and battery boxes required that the figures be broken apart *carefully*: I had to break the torsos and arms at the seams with screwdrivers. The new lightsabres were constructed with EL Cable (clearly visible in room light -- the attached photographs HAVE NOT been modified in any way) placed inside clear plastic tubes, the tips sealed with gap-filling superglue, and the blades filed/sanded to the proper shape and rendered translucent. The EL Cable wires were then strung through the right arms, the chest cavities, and down one of the legs (where a brass tube served as an outlet as well as an anchor to the base).

Once the figures were repositioned and reassembled, it was time for the other cosmetic changes -- Qui-gon's molded hair was covered with crepe fibers and cemented into place, and Obi-wan's padawan braid was repositioned and anchored.

Each figure was then painted, using movie stills as reference guides. Once that was completed, they were mounted on the oak base, with allowance for the EL Cable wires to snake through the support holes. A small keepsake box serves as the display pedestal, and also houses the inverter box and on/off switch. The whole assembly stands approx. 20" tall.

Accessories Each figure contains a light bulb in the hands that illuminates a plastic lightsabre. 2 "AA" Batteries required, not included.

Modifications

Qui-Gon Jinn

Image: Front view

Image: From below

Image: From the left

Image: Bird's eye view