I constructed my life-size R2-D2 replica back in the early 2000s. It was during the early days of the R2 Builders club (well before 3D-printing had taken off, and when a lot of design optimisation was still being worked out) which was a great community for advice and collaborating on parts runs for some of the more complex aluminium components. He is largely constructed from aluminium elements, but with some plastic, steel, and even wood detailing.

My version has remote-controlled electronics for dome rotation, dome lighting (PSI displays, logic displays, holoprojector), and sound effects. Because I always intended for him to be displayed in the 2-legged mode, I did not construct him with the goal of full mobility in mind. He has been on display at a local Auckland Armageddon convention before, but mostly lives amongst other life-size Star Wars statues in our rumpus room.

I have described my build process in parts over on the SWNZ website and forum in a lot more detail (links below), but the following gallery combines all of my progress photos in to one place in approximate chronological order.

• Building a Life-Size R2-D2, part 1
• Building a Life-Size R2-D2, part 2
• Building a Life-Size R2-D2, conclusion
• Electrifying Artoo (SWNZ Forums)

R2-D2 Replica Test Videos

R2-D2 Replica Work-In-Progress Gallery

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This is my custom ‘Droid Factory’ astromech figure, that I built during our trip to Disneyland in 2015. I took inspiration from the ‘Mickey Ears’ hat, which features a red Jedi Order symbol on it, and used the colour as the basis for my choices. The red components felt the most ‘Queen Amidala inspired’ from the available choices at the time, so it seemed like a fun mixing of classic Disney and Star Wars influences.

The post Anaria’s Disney Droid Factory Astromech appeared first on Villa Varykino.

This is my R7-domed custom astromech from when we were in Anaheim for the Celebration convention in 2015, and took to opportunity to visit Disneyland to assemble a few “Droid Factory” action figures. Disney has been offering the Droid Factory build-your-own-astromech system since 2012, with a growing number of combinations and permutations possible.

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