next up we have a bit more progression on the leg, almost completing it, barring a few screw plugs left to add later in the future. we also got some more dome panels, which will all be fitted in the next update.

so here is fitting all the panels to the dome shell. you really see it come together!

now i was ready to attach the completed dome to the framework. we fit the speaker which was built up previously, fit the dome over, lining up the key way up on the dome to the frame. the circular top panel is then fitted in position. we turn it over, fit some spacers over the pegs and screw down. this permanently locks the dome to the frame. afterwards we start adding some locking screws to the sides to add extra stability to the panels.

its really starting to gain some weight now, and feels nice and solid too. very happy with how its looking.

sadly, i need to re order issue 65 do to having a part that looks rather faulty. the diffuser for the rear orange/green light looks some how like its been against something hot and melted. its out of shape, warped, does not fit and looks terrible. these things happen though. i temporarily fitted it as best as i could just to see how the finished dome looked.

and yes, i noticed in issue 67 i have screwed the metal plates on the brackets the wrong way around. this has been corrected since the photos were taken.

As May shows itself to be a great month, 4th May was international star wars day, the recent release of the new film Solo and of course another R2D2 delivery is upon us!!

Here is issue 70 - 73 inclusive. This time R2 begins to find his voice with the addition of a speaker along with another body panel and more work on the framework for the main body. Not masses or work but great progress!

I had a few issues with this delivery as can be seen in my images, mainly regarding the body panels, firstly there is a slight mis match in colour - the 2 panels i have are different shades, there is also a slight mis match with the size of them too. For me there are both pretty minor points and kind of adds to the quirkiness of the droid (i also have a 2 tone foot on 1 leg, and the powerbus cables are different colours on each side as 1 set are bright another set is dull), after all the movie props were never perfect either and i do plan to add a bit of weathering once complete.

Another problem i had, which was of a bit more concern was with issue 73, we are supplied 4 rods that are drilled and tapped at each end so we can bolt them to the frames. The magazine asks us to use 8mm long screws to attach them, which was fine for 3 of my rods, but 1 rod the 8mm screws didn't screw all the way in and left the pole very loose (as can be seen in the pics). It was the same at both ends. I came to the conclusion that it hadnt been drilled or tapped deep enough. So in the long run i decided to simply file down one of the screws to fit - in the end i had to remove a whole 2mm, so it is now fixed with a 6mm screw! I dont think this will pose much of a problem as i have been using threadlock on all the frame parts anyway. Everything still feels pretty good and solid so problem solved.

Nice update, he is going to be some weight when finished.

Mark

realized i haven't updated this blog for 2 months, so here we go.

1st up is last months delivery consisting of issue 74, 75, 76 and 77.

we build up the rest of the rear body panels, add more to the frame work, and finalise the dome by tidying up the wires and plugging them all in and finishing the light saber tube and fitting it in place too, this was super fiddly but i got there in the end. really enjoyable chunk of building, and can really feel the pace picking up now!

Another month comes along, and so does the postman with the latest R2 delivery!

As before the pace feels like its really picking up with lots to do, i thoroughly enjoyed the build today. I keep saying it, but the quality and fit of the parts is second to none. Truly superb.

This month we again add a few more parts to the framework for the body which is nearing completion. R2 also gains a set of arms, in the form of some of the manipulators in a compartment fitted to one of the front body panels. This includes our 1st proper sets of sprues of parts, making it feel more like a proper model kit. The sprues are typical black plastic that has been painted either gold or silver, they cleaned up nicely and fitted into position perfectly with a spot of glue. The door also has a nice feel to it with how it 'clicks' into place, along this the arms that are manually hinged out, they have a nice 'ratchet' feel to them so they hold in any position you like and not loosely drop out. This is all really well thought out. We also make a start on the complicated front panel that will be built over a few issues.

Cant wait to get this finished now and see all the parts come together!

All looking good and on the home stretch with 80 issues complete.



Regards
delboy271155
(Derek)