| Hoth Stormtrooper 4-up Production Series (668-005) | |
| This is one of the more impressive series of Micro Collection figures that you're likely to see. The best piece in the lot is probably the original sculpt for the figure. It's composed of hand-sculpted wax, cast body parts identical to those used on several different Hoth Trooper figures, and a patterned wood gun. In the background is visible a silicone mold, the second primary stage in production. This mold was pulled from the aforementioned wax sculpt. Next up are the two Dynacast hardcopies shown to the right of the sculpt. These are products of the silicone mold. One is painted; it likely served as a paint master or photography sample. Finally, to the left of these are some 1:1 examples of the figure. A couple are castings known as "squeezings"; these were made by pouring a cold-cast urethane material into a steel production mold.
Pretty cool! It's not often one gets to see a run of this kind. It really gives you an idea as to how these toys were created. |
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| Description by: | Ron Salvatore |
| Photo: | Anonymous |
| From the collection of: | Anonymous |
| Country: | United States |
| Film: | Empire Strikes Back |
| Licensee: | Kenner |
| Year: | 1980 |
| Category: | Prototypes / Micro Collection |