Vicker Viscount Reading Light Mount
Some A lot of parts in Star Wars are based off existing parts. Once you start learning what things are, you keep on seeing the shapes and parts everywhere.
One example, which is used on multiple places, is the series of metal ridges on the right hand side of R2, which can also be found on the chest box of Darth Vader.
Turns out these were the actual coin slot of a British 60’s phone box.
Spare parts from scrapped technology was quite common. A lot of the weapons used in Star Wars was based on second world war remnants, just modified to look better and cooler!
Microphone tips from a particular brand called Hovi have been used in Stormtrooper helmets, Biker Scout helmets, Communicators, and possibly more.
Dashboard from an old Volvo have been used as interiour in the Millennium Falcon, and most notably as control panels on Han Solo frozen in Carbonite.
The Imperial Uniforms had previously been seen in a 60’s Sci-Fi, and the boots used were either post-war East German marching boots, or British riding boots. Why re-invent the wheel?
However, this post is not about those, but about the “Holo Projectors” on R2-D2. The thing that broadcasts the message from Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope. Yes. That one.
When you look at it, it is quite obvious that this part, is originally the reading light found in older air planes. In this case, from a Vickers Viscount 700-series aircraft.
A while back, my good friend managed to track down a few of these..
..and sent me this one!
It has been sitting in a box for a long time, only brought out at some Sci Fi conventions and R2 Builder meetings to show other builders, but I felt it was time to get to work on making a proper display for it!
First up was getting all the grime off, which took a while. A lot of sanding to get dirt, sand and oxidation go, and then I started to work on the display bit.
I had a few sheets of clear acrylic laying about, and while the reading light was 65 mm in diameter, I had a hole drill that was just below that, so I figured it would be perfect!
Drilling up the big hole, followed by testing the mounting worked great.
Next up was deciding how I wanted it displayed.
I opted for a smaller display piece, and wanted protective acrylic both in front of and behind the reading light. Time for some cad!
A corner bracket designed, and 3D printed..
After it all came together, it looks pretty nifty!
This will be a nice display at the upcoming Stockholm Comic Con and Sci Fi conventions!
