| Wampa 4-up Hardcopy Paint Master and 1:1 Production Series (269-001) | |
| Wampa! Wampa, Wampa, Wampa!!
Here we have an impressive assembly of Micro Collection prototypes focusing on the Wampa figure from the Hoth Wampa Cave playset. The larger piece on the right of the photo is known as a 4-up hardcopy; it represents the scale at which the figure was originally sculpted and is cast in a hard urethane material. While many 4-ups that turn up on the collectors market are unpainted, this particular example is fully painted; it is what is called a "paint master," a title that refers to its function as a model, intended to illustrate how the finished production figures would eventually be decorated. Painted Wampa 4-ups like this one were also displayed at Toy Fair, in order to demonstrate future product to wholesale buyers. Additionally, a former Kenner model maker once told me that a diorama, including the Wampa 4-up as well as several others, was created by Kenner and presented to Lucasfilm at the outset of the Micro Collection line. I've never heard of this piece from any other source, however, though it would be a trip to actually see it. Three painted 4-up examples of the Wampa are currently known to reside in various collectors' hands. While the example seen here features black painted hand pads, gray was also used for the hands on at least one of the other two painted Wampa 4-ups. The three smaller figures at the left of the photo are production figures; they illustrate well the massive diminishment in scale these things underwent prior to mass production. The topmost figure is one of the black/white/gray variety, an example of which can be seen here; the middle figure is an early painted sample, exhibiting slightly altered colors; and the lowest is a regular painted production figure. Its an impressive collection to be sure; and its probably a good bet that Garry had to reach deep into the proverbial cookie jar to pay for them :^P. |
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| Description by: | Ron Salvatore |
| Photo: | Garry Pedersen |
| From the collection of: | Garry Pedersen |
| Country: | United States |
| Film: | Empire Strikes Back |
| Licensee: | Kenner |
| Year: | 1980 |
| Category: | Prototypes / Micro Collection |