Well I’ve never done a Limelight before, so I thought I probably should, and seen as my full collection is not currently available I’ll have to settle for my primary focus. This is my loose Bespin Luke Limelight. I’ve been collecting Bespin Luke’s for 12 years and have had literally hundreds through those years. This is the whittle down collection. Last year I began researching the figure and producing a document chronicling everything about the figure and the origins of all the variations, hopefully this will be finished, or at least as finished as it can be for the time at some point in the not to distant future, at which point it will be published online.
For the time though a quick general overview of the variations (it goes alot deeper than this, but for the time this is all that’s necessary really to know):

Head Sculpts : There are 3 in total, listed here as Standard, small and large.
Torso & Limb Sculpts : There are 2 in total (torso, both arms and both legs) most easily recognized by the lightsaber hilt on his belt.
Hair Colour : I tend to list 7, yellow, light yellow, matte ginger, glossy ginger, brown, mustard and olive.
Boot Colour : I tend to go with 3, tan, brown and dark brown.
Lightsabers : There are 5 in total, Version 1 ( buttons in depression), version 2 (no depression – dull), version 3 (no depression – bright), version 4 (fat hilt – dull - European), version 5 (fat hilt – pale – Lili Ledy)







1 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 - Hong Kong (large print)
2 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 2 - Hong Kong (large print)
3 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 3 - Hong Kong (large print)
4 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 2 (short shot) - Hong Kong (large print) – Error – No buckle paint
5 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, matte ginger hair, brown boots, lightsaber version 1 - Hong Kong (large print)
6 – Standard head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, matte ginger hair, brown boots, lightsaber version 1 - Hong Kong (large print) – Minor hand paint difference
7 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, light yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1- Hong Kong (small print up)
8 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, glossy ginger hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1- Hong Kong (small print up)
9 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, mustard hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1- Hong Kong (small print up)
10 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, mustard hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1- Hong Kong (small print down)
11 – Small head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – Hong Kong (both legs)
12 – Small head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, brown hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – Hong Kong (both legs)
13 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, mustard hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – No COO (up)
14 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, mustard hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – No COO (down)
15 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, olive hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – No COO (up)
16 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, olive hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – No COO (down)
17 – Small head sculpt, torso & limb sculpt 1, brown hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (raised bar long) – China baggie figure
18 – Small head sculpt, torso & limb sculpt 1, brown hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (raised bar short) – China baggie figure
19 – Standard head, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, brown boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (both legs) – Painted hip
20 – Standard head, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, brown boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (both legs) – Unpainted hip
21 – Standard head, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, dark brown boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (both legs) – Painted hip
22 – Standard head, torso & limbs sculpt 1, yellow hair, dark brown boots, lightsaber version 4 – No COO (both legs) – Unpainted hip
23 – Small head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 1, brown hair, tan boots, lightsaber version 1 – Hong Kong (both legs) ?????
24 – Large head sculpt, torso & limbs sculpt 2, mustard hair, tan boots, lightsaber sculpt 1 – No leg markings of any kind (short shot?????)
25 – Small head sculpt, torso & limb sculpt 1, brown hair, tan boots, lightsaber sculpt 5, rebel blaster – No COO (Raised bar short) – Lili Ledy figure

Figure 23 is what is commonly referred to as the translucent head version, this of course is a result of fading and general degradation and is a transformant, not a true variation. I have him primarily as an example for my research, but was recently informed by Mr. Wolff that he may be Spanish and is a ‘curiosity’, other than that I’m not sure, so I included him anyway.
Figure 21, the Dark boots Luke has marks on his back and arse which can be found on lots of Spanish figure, making him proof that the dark boots Luke was produced in Spain and wasn’t just a Palitoy/Tri-Logo figure. At least that what I understand anyway.
Figure 24 is most probably a short shot figure, he has no markings on his legs of any kind.

Oh well there you are, my Bespin Luke collection so far, still missing a few, so I will update as and when, hope you liked!

Nice work General, this is a clearly presented overview!!!

A small request: Can you make a comparison shot of all types of sabers please?

- I can confirm the translucent transformant (hey that sounds pretty cool ). He has the same COO as your no. 23, and mine came with a PBP/European saber. :scratch:









- About the blonde Luke no. 7: he seems to originate from ESB-g baggies.

_Rog_ wrote:

Dr Dengar wrote:

The blond Luke, 2nd row, 2nd from the left: any idea on what card he was released? Which COO he has?

#5 on the COO guide - ESB-g baggies

Rog.

Taken from your previous thread: http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t2747-luke-skywalker-bespin-fatigues#50751

BTW: I also have the super rare "boots with green Dagobah swamp stains" variant. If you want I can trade it vs two dark boots PBP Lukes. Oh no f*ck it is a transformant.




Which variant you are hunting for now?


Keep on the good work!!

Cheers

Cheers Doc, I've been meaning to do it for a while but I have been stuck in house moving 'limbo' for the last 6 months!

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A small request: Can you make a comparison shot of all types of sabers please?

Photographing these bad boys is difficult when it comes to showing the differences. These are in the order as listed above. The Ledy looks the same as the European version, but that's just the light, it is noteablypaler and almost translucent as everybody knows. The version 2 & 3 sabers are the same apart from the colour. Version 2 is the same as the standard sabers colour and made from the same plastic, vrsion 3 is notably brighter and much fuller in colour, most likely made from a different plastic.

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About the blonde Luke no. 7: he seems to originate from ESB-g baggies.

I personnally, and from what my research has uncovered, believe that the yellow haired Luke (figure 11) was possibly the first used, as he seems pretty much exclusive to the ESB 31 Back b cards. He can also be found in a baggie and I've even seen him on a Square Mecanno ESB card, but never on anything else. It should be noted that the yellow haired Lukes (figure 1) and the matte ginger haired Lukes ( figure 5) can also be found on the ESB 31 Back b card.
The figure your talking about (figure 7) can be found in many places. Firstly he was definately available on the ESB 31 back b card along with the others mentioned. This makes it highly likely that he was the first figure to use the second body sculpt and the large head. He can also be found on ESB 32 Back b, ESB 41 Back a and ESB 48 Back b cards. Also it's likely he was the first Bespin Luke figure used in Canada as well, as he was available seemingly alone on Canadian ESB 31 Back a cards. He can also be found on the very first Palitoy cards 30 Back a and 30 Back b. making him likely to be the earliest version of the figure available in England.
The yellow hair versions where generally replaced by the mustard haired version in the U.S on the ESB 41 Back d cards, the mustard haired versions then saw the line through to its end on the ROTJ 77 Back b cards give or take the odd exception.
The figure 7 culd also befound in baggies as you stated, ESB-C and ESB-G, he was also the version found in the Canadian Sears Special 7 Pack and the Japanese Popy box (ESB-C baggie)

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BTW: I also have the super rare "boots with green Dagobah swamp stains" variant. If you want I can trade it vs two dark boots PBP Lukes. Oh no f*ck it is a transformant.

Heehee, never seen that before I'll swap the full set for it!!!!! I have one where he must have been testing the temperature of the Dagobah swamp, as only one boot has the swamp stain! They sell for loads on Ebay as odd botts Luke..... Well they sell for loads to idiots!
That's definately the greenist I've seen them boots turn!

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Which variant you are hunting for now?

Well I'm keen to get a Spanish Luke from the original POCH 37 backs, it is basically the same as the 'transformant' Luke from our pics but with ginger hair and very pale hands. Heres a pic of loads of Spanish Lukes from choldhood collections that Javi sent me, the one I'm after is the furthest to the left.



The one here is notably faded as well, it should be alot brighter (apart from the hands which appear tohave just been painted pale)

I'd also like a yellow haired Ledy from the original 10 Backs and a dark brown haired Ledy (the sort of custom ones made using the Ledy overstock heads). I'm also after another darkboots Luke with painted hip but no marks on his back. Finally I'd like one of the two legged no COO's with standard tan boots unpainted hip and painted hip. That's about it I think!

Cheers General!

Some impressing amount of research on the origins of figure no.7. When there are similar amounts for each individual figure, you can start writing a book.

General Kahn wrote:

Dr Dengar wrote:

BTW: I also have the super rare "boots with green Dagobah swamp stains" variant. If you want I can trade it vs two dark boots PBP Lukes. Oh no f*ck it is a transformant.

Heehee, never seen that before I'll swap the full set for it!!!!!

I already put the figure in bubble wrap. What is your postal address?

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

25 variants, I can see I have a long way to go :nailbiting:

Great work Kahn. I really love what you have done

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When there are similar amounts for each individual figure, you can start writing a book.

Any info on any of the figures I pictured as to thre origins I pretty much got, I'd kinda like to hope that anyone who has a focus eventually ends up doing research into it. Naturally there will always be a huge amount of knowledge learnt from anyone particular focus, but it just takes that little extra digging, and naturally assuming that every figure is covered by someone out there, maybe one day that book will exist, but it will definately need to be a collective thing, don't think I'll live long enough to do it alone!

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I already put the figure in bubble wrap. What is your postal address?

Hey, hey! Go easy on the bubble wrap Doc, I don't want that bad boy stewing in it's own toxins and getting all discoloured during transit!

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Great work Kahn. I really love what you have done

Cheers Lars, I like what you've done with your site also, I just haven't been able to give it a good look yet (moving house, very limited internet at the moment :scratch: )
Top of my list when I get sorted though!

General Kahn wrote:

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Great work Kahn. I really love what you have done

Cheers Lars, I like what you've done with your site also, I just haven't been able to give it a good look yet (moving house, very limited internet at the moment :scratch: )
Top of my list when I get sorted though!

No problem and thanks, but I can see I am miles behind you

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No problem and thanks, but I can see I am miles behind you

Not neccessarily, the rest of my collection has suffered some what as a result of my Bespin Luke focus. I've owned probably 200 to 250 Bespin Lukes over the last 12 years. The upside of this that I've been able to research the figure well and gain quite a good knowledge of the variants and how rare they are and all sorts other random things.
For example: looking at those figures and asked which one would you call the rarest, most would probably swing to the Ledy and the dark boots Lukes, they would probably be right in the case of the Ledy, and maybe in this instance the dark boot Luke with the Spanish marks, but as for other dark boots Lukes they'd be wrong, at least in my opinion.
The rarest figure out of those is probably Figure 8, the glossy ginger haired Luke, this figure appears to have been a kind of cross over figure between the yellow hair and mustard haired figures, and so far in my research has only ever turned up at the exact cross-over point, on the ESB 41 Back d and in Canada the ESB 41 Back b. I have only ever found this one mint and a couple of others in poor condition and lots that turned out not to be the one, just bad photography! I'd take a guess that for every 50 dark boots Lukes you come across you might see one of these.
Sorry I've strayed a little, pointing out the benefits of a focus. The downside is that the focus unquestionably comes first, and other things get put on hold. I haven't even fully completed my collection yet, still missing an Imperial Gunner and a R2-D2 - pop-up saber as well as lots of common variations. So I guess it depends how you look at it really.

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25 variants, I can see I have a long way to go

Not quite as bad as it looks[/quote], figures 1, 2, 3 & 4 are the same but exploiting the different lightsaber variants (relevant to figures they can be found with) and figure 4 is a factory error not a variant. Figures 5 & 6 are the same given a minor hand colour variation, and figure 24 is technically a factory error in that it's most probably a short shot.
:scratch: Having said that, I'm still missing a few.....

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Not quite as bad as it looks

It maybe as bad as it looks!

General Kahn wrote:

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No problem and thanks, but I can see I am miles behind you

Not neccessarily, the rest of my collection has suffered some what as a result of my Bespin Luke focus. I've owned probably 200 to 250 Bespin Lukes over the last 12 years. The upside of this that I've been able to research the figure well and gain quite a good knowledge of the variants and how rare they are and all sorts other random things.
For example: looking at those figures and asked which one would you call the rarest, most would probably swing to the Ledy and the dark boots Lukes, they would probably be right in the case of the Ledy, and maybe in this instance the dark boot Luke with the Spanish marks, but as for other dark boots Lukes they'd be wrong, at least in my opinion.
The rarest figure out of those is probably Figure 8, the glossy ginger haired Luke, this figure appears to have been a kind of cross over figure between the yellow hair and mustard haired figures, and so far in my research has only ever turned up at the exact cross-over point, on the ESB 41 Back d and in Canada the ESB 41 Back b. I have only ever found this one mint and a couple of others in poor condition and lots that turned out not to be the one, just bad photography! I'd take a guess that for every 50 dark boots Lukes you come across you might see one of these.
Sorry I've strayed a little, pointing out the benefits of a focus. The downside is that the focus unquestionably comes first, and other things get put on hold. I haven't even fully completed my collection yet, still missing an Imperial Gunner and a R2-D2 - pop-up saber as well as lots of common variations. So I guess it depends how you look at it really.

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25 variants, I can see I have a long way to go

Not quite as bad as it looks

, figures 1, 2, 3 & 4 are the same but exploiting the different lightsaber variants (relevant to figures they can be found with) and figure 4 is a factory error not a variant. Figures 5 & 6 are the same given a minor hand colour variation, and figure 24 is technically a factory error in that it's most probably a short shot.
:scratch: Having said that, I'm still missing a few.....

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Not quite as bad as it looks

It maybe as bad as it looks![/quote]

200 to 250 Bespin Lukes

25 variants or not, I also want those 25 figures

I think the research you made is very good. Thanks for the great work, mate.

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I think the research you made is very good. Thanks for the great work, mate.

Cheers Lars, any questions you have about any of those figures, or anything you want to know about Bespin Luke in general, just give me a bell and I'l try my best to answer them.

Great focus and limelite you got general, thanks for sharing what you've found out over the last 12 years.

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Great focus and limelite you got general, thanks for sharing what you've found out over the last 12 years.

Cheers Snag, like I said earlier somewhere in all that, I have been documenting everything there is to know about Bespin Luke as part of my research and hopefully sometime early next year it will be in a presentable form, I say presentable because as I'm sure you'll appreciate as a collector, research concerning any figure will probably never be 100% complete and accurate, but hopefully at a stage where I will feel comfortable to present it to the forum, at which point hopefully it will be added to by everyone else.

General Kahn wrote:

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Great focus and limelite you got general, thanks for sharing what you've found out over the last 12 years.

Cheers Snag, like I said earlier somewhere in all that, I have been documenting everything there is to know about Bespin Luke as part of my research and hopefully sometime early next year it will be in a presentable form, I say presentable because as I'm sure you'll appreciate as a collector, research concerning any figure will probably never be 100% complete and accurate, but hopefully at a stage where I will feel comfortable to present it to the forum, at which point hopefully it will be added to by everyone else.

I look forward to you posting your finnished article mate, I'm sure it's going to be a great resorse if this limelite is anything to go by. Congrats again on some great variants.

Wow, that's a lot of research & a great job. I too can confirm the translucent transformant COO is the same & they all seem to have faded limbs too

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Wow, that's a lot of research & a great job. I too can confirm the translucent transformant COO is the same & they all seem to have faded limbs too

Cheers James, I've a had a couple of the translucent transformants over the years and seen countless more sell, all with the same COO and different levels of fading. My research has generally found that this specific figure was unique to baggies, as I've been come across him carded. I've found him in U.S. ESB-a and ESB-h baggie and at least two other Made in Hong Kong baggies that don't match ones used in the U.S. a Kenner Made in Hong Kong and a plain Made in Hong Kong baggie.
If he is unique to a baggies this would also go some way to explaining the fading.
Also as Doc Dengar said earlier, the None U.S baggie version always seem to come with the version 4 lightsaber.

General Kahn wrote:

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I think the research you made is very good. Thanks for the great work, mate.

Cheers Lars, any questions you have about any of those figures, or anything you want to know about Bespin Luke in general, just give me a bell and I'l try my best to answer them.

I will do that mate

Great limelight GK! And excellent photos too. Looks very impressive

Is there an easy way to distinguish the different headsculpts (standard, small, and large) because in many of your example pictures the size difference is not all that obvious to me. Is there any unique markings on each sculpt that would make it easier to identify which versions I have among my many Bespin Lukes? I've been studying my 7 different Lukes tonight and I'm still stumped on which size each may actually have.

Damn, who would of thought so many damn variants could exist for one figure. Nice work!!

Man, what a cool run! I love seeing an extensive focus like this of a figure that you don't see a focus of very often.

Now I know who to ask all my Luke Bespin questions!!