SUMMARY:
I was wondering why Lili Ledy used a set of unique steel moulds for some figures and used existing moulds for others. Below a possible explanation is given in terms of the amount of figures and weapons that had to be produced from each mould. Accordingly, in case the demand was high (MIM figures on Ledy
and Kenner cards), new moulds were produced to guarantee a matching supply of figures w/o having to worry too much about off specs figures. This is because moulds are prone to weathering during their production life time. Older steel moulds will therefore produce figures with small imperfections after a while. So when you plan to make large numbers of figures, you better start with 'fresh' steel moulds. For the figures which were only produced for Lili Ledy cards (Mexican market), the demand was lower and the use of existing steel moulds was sufficient.
The same explanation might even be used to answer the question why the Ledy Squidhead came with two types of Bespin blasters.
I admit it is just a theory, it needs to be challenged to eventually come up with a better one.
So guys, your input will be appreciated very much here.
A BIT MORE IN DETAIL:
Let’s start with this list of Ledy figures:
- Biker Scout
- Chief Chirpa
- Darth Vader
- Gammorean Guard
- Lando Skiff
- Logray
- Lumat
- Paploo
- Ree Yees
- Nien Nunb
- Squid Head
- Yoda
These figures came with unique COOs and sometimes other unique sculpt differences (for instance the short mask Biker Scout, Chief Chirpa’s amulet, Darth Vader head sculpt). So this is a strong indication that Lili Ledy used an unique set of steel moulds to produce the above mentioned set of figures. Question is why?
Maybe the clue lies in the fact that Lili Ledy needed to produce large number of these figures to serve both the Mexican
and the US market where almost all of these figures (except Ben Kenobi) appeared on Kenner's Made in Mexico cards.
Made in Mexico (MIM) cards (pic made by Rog)
Steel moulds are prone to weathering during their production life time because of the high pressure and temperature during the injection molding process. Older steel moulds will therefore produce figures with small imperfections after a while. So when you plan to make large numbers of figures, you better start with 'fresh' steel moulds. So it seems logical that Ledy decided tu use new steel moulds instead of moulds from Asian production lines (which already had some degree of weathering).
BTW: Klaatu seems to be an exception. Though he was released on MIM cards, he has no unique COO, so apparently he was cast from an already used steel mould. Maybe we should have a closer look at this fellow, looking for small sculpt differences to be 100% sure he was not cast from a new steel mould.
Now let's turn to accessories for the above listed MIM figures. Nearly all are unique Ledy accessories, meaning they were cast from moulds that are different compared to their Kenner counterparts. Check it out:
- Biker Scout: unique gun mould, mostly with small “A”, “B”, "D"
- Chief Chirpa: unique staff having small “LL”
- Darth Vader: unique thicker saber
- Gammorean Guard: unique shorter axe
- Lando Skiff: unique thicker vibroblade, mostly with a small “A”, “B”
- Logray: unique hood mould (different number inside), unique staff and pouche both with small “LL”
- Lumat: figure and its accessories were only produced by Ledy, so all Ledy unique
- Paploo: same
- Ree Yees: unique gun mould with little “Y”, “S”, “W”
- Nien Nunb: unique gun mould with little “L”, “I”
- Squid Head: Unique belt mould with small "LL" on the inside. NO unique gun mould (come back to this later).
- Yoda: Unique snake mould, cane mould, belt mould.
Why was there a need to make new moulds for the weapons of the MIM figures? Maybe for the same reason as given for the figures themselves: A higher demand (Mexico and US) asked for better quality - read new - moulds. Though not every MIM figure was packed with Ledy accessories on a Kenner card, this explanation might still hold to some extent. In addition there might also be a higher demand because some of these weapons were packed with other figures on Ledy cards, meant for the Mexican market. For instance Jawa and TIE Fighter pilot came with Nien Nunb’s Ledy gun. The Emperor and Wicket came with Chief Chirpa's Ledy staff. Or Klaatu (2x) and Weeguay that came with Lando’s Ledy vibroblade.
The only exception seems to be Squid Head. Probably Lili Ledy didn't need a new mould here, as the company had already obtained a Kenner mould for the V1 Bespin gun (the same gun that came with Kenner's Squid). The mould was used to produce guns for many figures: Ledy's Squid Head (dark grey), Luke Bespin, Han Bespin, Lando (all blue) and Han Trenchcoat (black). Maybe the mould was therefore used too frequently, causing weathering and the typical rough surface texture.
V1: blue, rough surface (Lili Ledy)
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So this might be the reason that a second type of Bespin gun mould was used by Ledy after a while. Let us listen to a little conversation in the Ledy factory 30 years ago (translated in English):
- Manager: Why should we invest in a new steel mould for a Squid gun after obtaining this used steel mould from Asia?
- Quality Control: Maybe because the steel mould has already weathered a lot and now starts to produce guns with a rough surface? Oh why we have to produce so many of these Squids, and Hans, and Lukes, and Landos just from this one mould?!!!
- Manager: Oh YES you are right about the weathering, but I thought about this before and obtained another steel mould for this gun as well.
- Quality Control: But that is another mould, look this one produces a gun with a smaller and this one with a bigger trigger hole!!
- Manager: Just use the two different moulds, you idiot! Do you think anyone would care, now or in the future?!!
- Quality Control: I guess not, it would seem rather ridiculous.
- Manager: OK, OK, just carry on then. But hurry up, we probably have a lot of rework to do today. I heard that something is wrong with our Wampas.
Is that how we ended up wirth two different types of guns for the Ledy Squidhead? V1 and V5. :scratch:
V1: dark grey (Lili Ledy)
V5: dark grey (Lili Ledy)
V1 gun (top), V5 gun (bottom). Both are Lili Ledy MOCs
The figures which Lili Ledy produced exclusively for the Mexican home market (and maybe Spain?) were produced in smaller numbers. It is likely that used steel moulds from Asian production lines would be OK to produce these smaller numbers of figures because weathering might be a less important then. And indeed none of these figures have neither unique COOs nor sculpt differences. Unique traits for these Ledy figures are always based upon differences in paint applications (CCP with yellow boots, Wicket with grey eyes,….) and different accessories (thick Klaatu skirt, Bib Fortuna cape, Leia Endor poncho,…). Not only the figures but also the weapons seem to be produced from existing steel moulds, which makes sense off course. Because the same moulds were used, the Ledy weapons for these ‘home market’ figures can only be distinguished based upon subtle differences in the used plastic (colour, glossy or matt appearance). Think Ackbar’s staff, Boushh’s rifle, Bespin Leia’s gun, Chewie's bowcaster, Luke Jedi’s V1 gun, Madine’s staff, Nikto’s staff, Zuckuss’ gun,....
Probably these things have already been said somewhere else before, but maybe not, so I thought about sharing it with you guys.
I admit it is just a theory, it needs to be challenged to eventually come up with a better one.
So guys, your input will be appreciated very much here.
Subject: Re: THE LILI LEDY GUIDE & DISCUSSION THREAD PART 1 
Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:42 am
:grr: I am also interested in trade. NOT LEDY for LEDY. :cherry: 
BUT rare or cool figures for a Ledy. I have 35 MOC figures in c8,5 - c10 condition. Most of them are C9. PM if interested.
