| Lightsabers
Luke Skywalker
Darth Vader
Obi - Wan Kenobi
Blasters
Han Solo
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 EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE
In Episode IV, the Dark Lord's lightsaber was constructed from a Heiland flash unit,
very similar to the Graflex used as the base for Luke Skywalker's saber. Very few
modifications were made. Just some windshield wiper grips, a bubble display in the clamp,
and a D-Ring assembly on the emitter.
EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE
STRIKES BACK
Episode V saw continued use of the Heiland, with an edge-card connector replacing the
bubble display.
EPISODE VI: RETURN
OF THE JEDI
 When the time came to film Episode IV, all of the prop Vader sabers had
mysteriously disappeared. So a replacement was constructed from a Graflex flash previously
used as Luke's saber. A custom colar was placed near the emitter, a custom clamp was
installed, the grips for Luke's were removed and replaced with seven grips for Vader, and
several holes were drilled in the flash and filled with hex-head screws. The glass-eye was
removed from the socket and replaced with something else, presumably a port-regulator plug
from scuba equipment (I think that's the proper term for it). In addition, a cabinet door
latch was added to the saber. Shown at left is my version of this prop. As I cringe at the
thought of someone drilling several 1/2" holes in a vintage Graflex flash, this saber
is constructed from a $5.00 plumbing pipe from Home Depot. I built this saber from
scratch.
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