Many, many moons ago I started a little custom project to produce a R4-M9 custom in the same vintage style that Kenner used.

http://www.imperialgunneryforum.com/t69p450-vintage-customs-thread-overview-of-customs-on-page-1

So here's a little update from me, now that I have recently required my first set of parts from the 3D printers...





All the parts we're designed to be fully interchangeable with a standard Kenner R2 or R5. He you can see some close-ups of the head showing the internal details and ribs to allow the clicker to work.





My first successful trial of assembling the parts, and blow me the clicker does work!



Hanging with the boys...

Very nice. Now for some sticker sheets and a bit of paint and your set.

Looks good.

How much did it cost to 3D print the entire thing? I remember you pricing them out, way back then, and the head alone was going to be $5 - $7.

I think the whole thing including shipping cost me 16 GBPs.

All the parts are fully interchangeable with vintage components and allow the clicker mechanism to work.

Now I have the parts my next step will be to cast parts myself or ask someone to cast them for me to produce a small production batch.

It's a slow moving project but the aim is to maintain the vintage feel of the original line.

A production batch - exclusively for yourself or... ?
I'm curious because that is a fantastic looking piece and I would love to acquire one, if possible.

I'm curious if the head casting on this project ever took off.

Depending on price, I'd be down for a few!

Made a set of these back in 06 and always planned on making them available for all.....three kids later it never happened. Lol! Nice to see someone stepping up and making it happen. Not trying to highjack the thread but here are mine.

Those are nice looking droids. Good job on them.

Those look great. You made a good match between the paint on the domes and those on the body. Are they sticker bodies or painted?

I made printable decals and thanks!