Star Wars 1942

Source

A very fun element to the Custom Con is the occasional team-up, where 2 customizers work together on a line. I am a big fan of the work of a guy named Glorbes. So when we decided to do something together I was very excited. We kicked a few ideas around but we settled on an idea I had previously had about line that emphasized the WWII elements of Star Wars. So we set the line in that era with the rebels as the Allies and the Empire as the Nazis. SERIES 1 (2008) SERIES 2 (2010)

SERIES 1

Capt. HANK SOLOWSKI (Han Solo) The Han Solo figure shows the influences of the WWII bomber pilots on the Han Solo character. The figure bares the likeness of actor Harrison Ford with the classic WWII pilot hat. The bomber jacket comes complete with fur collar and detailed bomber nose art on the back of the "Millennium Falcon". The figure comes with a gun, the German Mauser, which was actually the base for the prop used in the Star Wars movies.

1st Lt. CHUCK BACKER (Chewbacca) The Chewbacca figure continues the look of the bomber crew. Chewbacca's uniforms shows the rebel insignia and his name on his chest. His machine gun is a modified Thompson made to be reminiscent of Chewie's crossbow.

Corp. LUCAS S. WALKER (Luke Skywalker) The Luke Skywalker figure has a slightly more stylized look. The figure bares the resemblance of actor Mark Hamill. His removable helmet displays the rebel logo and removable goggles that can be lowered and raised. The orange leather is reminiscent of the classic orange jumpsuit from the films. The figure comes with a parachute and chest pouch that is suggestive of the control panel on Luke's jumpsuit in the films. Although not very accurate to the WWII era, you can not have Luke with out the lightsaber. The lightsaber looks like an older flashlight, has a removable blade and is connected to a battery worn on the belt.

IMPERIAL WINTER TROOPER (Snowtrooper) The Imperial Snowtrooper is based on the look of WWII soldiers during the siege of Stalingrad. The troopers face still obscured, but by a scarf this time not by a face plate. The goggles have the look of the classic helmet's visor and the helmet has the classic Nazi flared edges. The long coat that juts out is suggestive of the skirt worn by the film's version and the hard ammo pouches are like those of the film as well.

IMPERIAL MOTOR SCOUT (Biker Scout) The Imperial Biker Scout is a blend of a Nazi motorcycle soldier and the film's Biker Scout. The chest armor and pouches are suggestive of the classic costume. He wears a German Luger on his boot, like his movie counterpart. The bike is of classic WWII design but has the same color scheme as the speederbike. The saddlebags are suggestive of the rear of the speederbike.

SERIES 2

Battle Droid Mk. C3 (C-3PO) As an early automated automaton designed as a smaller tank operated on radio command signals for more close quarter combat then a Sherman tank can offer. He features a desert tan color scheme and replacement leg in battleship gray and features a machine gun arm. The color of the figure is reminiscent of C-3PO's color scheme, the abdominal wheel is similar to his disc design, and the overall thin frame is like that of his cinematic inspiration.

Battle Droid Mk. D2 (R2-D2) Designed as a smaller manned tank, the Mk. D2 can be piloted by a smaller framed driver. His is more of a utility model then a combat weapon. The driver can access the vehicle from an access hatch located on the top of the unit. He offers assistance in the form of tools, fuel, and war supplies. The model comes in a battleship gray which is meant to be a combination of R2's classic white, blue, and silver color scheme. The figure also has 2 sets of tank treads like the classic 2 legged droid, the various metal plates are evocative of R2's numerous doors and the single cannon is meant to represent R2's single eye.

General Ben Kenworthy (Obi-Wan Kenobi) A battle tested soldier and seasoned veteran of WWI. The General is called back up to active duty to oversea a dangerous rescue mission with ties from his past. Designed to evoke a kind of General Patton feel, Kenworthy is wearing combat fatigues and boots, along with a leather bomber jacket and field helmet.

Imperial Stormtrooper (Stormtrooper) The backbone of the secret order of the SS, the Todesstern, was the Sturmsoldat, or Stormtrooper. The figure comes in gray fatigues (the white just did not seem logical in wartime) and the standard MP40 submachine gun and a grenade canister on his back where the stormtroopers wore thermal detonators.

Reichsführer Vater (Darth Vader) Reichsführer of a Einsatzgruppen, or special task force, known as the Todesstern, he was tasked with the most high level and important missions. Vater, is German for father, just as Vader is Dutch for father, a slight nod possibly to his later explained lineage. He comes donned in traditional black leather, with a very sinister gas mask, and the famous German flared helmet. This image was inspired by Glorbes drawings with slight modifications by Sillof. The figure now evokes a more menacing, hulking frame that hunches over slightly.

Bodo Vett (Boba Fett) Bodo Vett was an SS Sonderkommandos, elite secret troops, whose existence was so secret other high ranking members had no knowledge of their existence. Bodo still has that classic gray and green color scheme. The shovel is meant to evoke the profile of the rocket pack. His gauntlet weapons are now a knife and flashlight. The gun is similar in design to Fett's movie blaster. The armor is based off of actual photos of real WWII combat armor. The helmet is an original design that incorporates the flared look of the other helmets with Fett's classic "T" visor.

GROUP SHOTS

Glorbes is one of my favorite customizers. He is a master at redesigning figures and giving them his unique feel at the same time. He is also quite talented at using fabric convincingly on figures. Here are his great entries in our line.