Ecto-Plasma Saber – Inspired by the 1984 movie Ghostbusters

Helloooooo Everybodies!!!!!!!! It is getting near to that time of the year where the Ghouls and Ghosts, Spectres and Spooks all come out to play. And to help protect you all I have joined forces with fellow blogger and friend The Vintage Toy Advertiser to bring you some Ghostbusters themed adverts and a new Ghostbusters themed hilt!

As you may know back in New York of 1984, the city suffered from a wave of supernatural shenanigans and it fell to three Parapsychologists to save the day. Their names were Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler (and later) Winston Zeddemore otherwise known as the Ghostbusters. They were college professors and scientists who built some cutting edge equipment to catch and contain the ghosties. Unfortunately they weren’t politicians and fell foul of a devious city official. As a result they get arrested for operating without a license, just as a big paranormal event occurs and a large gateway to another realm opens above the city…allowing all kinds of spectral beings in!

Luckily this was a film from Columbia Pictures and the apocalypse never happened. The film however was a phenomenon and a range of toys and computer games were produced, and here are a couple of TVTA’s archive pictures of the Ghostbusters toys…

Now where do Ghostbusters and Star Wars come together? Well, they don’t really but after seeing my Knight Rider themed hilt a few posts back TVTA approached me to design a range of TV and Movie inspired hilts and so I thought “OK that’s a challenge”. I had built a saber to look like KITT from Knight Rider….how about building a saber to look like the Ghostbusters’ famous car ECTO-1! This is what I came up with….

Ecto-Plasma Saber 1

Ecto-Plasma Saber Rear View

Ecto_Plasma Saber Front View

Ecto-Plasma Saber Roof/Top View

Phew! This took me quite a while to construct despite the skills I have learned so far. Hopefully I have done justice to the iconic ECTO-1 which was originally a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance. The emitter is meant to represent the chrome work on the radiator grille so reminiscent of cars from that era…it also sets off the “Slimer-Green” coloured blade quite nicely! The hand grip I attempted to shape as much as possible to look like the body of the car. I was even able to incorporate the famous red and chrome “Streamline” fins, chrome around the windows, a couple of Ghostbusters logos (with one on the roof acting as an activation switch!). You will even find I have included a yellow license plate and rear impact bars! And for the fans of flashing lights…yes I added an emergency services Light Bar on the roof. To see how close I got here is an image of the real ECTO-1 car…

OK! Some of you will have noticed a glaring mistake! I didn’t make a roof rack full of equipment did I? Well, I couldn’t add one to the hilt as that would make the saber hard to handle. It would be awkward just as it is. So my solution was to make a separate Roof Rack and use it as a cradle to display the saber on! Clever huh? And just as with the saber I tried to cram a few neat details into the roofrack too…take a look….

Early build of Roof Rack

Roof Rack stand 1

Roof Rack stand 2

Roof Rack stand 3

I think this Roof Rack might have more detail than the car! I made a frame from a rectangular cube but I deleted the panels to form the rack. Then I created the yellow capsule shaped canister and duplicated it so I had four in total. Next I made two “rolled up blankets” one blue, one red and a portable ventilation fan. But the real neat detail is the world famous “Ghost Traps”. I created four of them and arranged them on the rack so the saber can rest suspended on the handles of the traps. Interestingly, the real roof rack was so large that the filming crew had to ship it by air between the studio and some filming locations!

I think that just about covers my Ecto-Plasma Saber design and I have Stephen Dane to thank for the Ghostbusters props (Dane was the Hardware Designer on the film). I also have to give a big thank you to The Vintage Toy Advertiser for laying down the “challenge” to me. I must say that TVTA will be posting an article in a day or two with many more Ghostbusters themed advertising materials and images ready for Halloween so please check his blog out by clicking HERE.

As always thanks to all my viewers and followers you are much appreciated and I hope you all enjoy Halloween safely (should you be celebrating) and please call back to FTSabersite afterwards to see many more new saber designs in upcoming posts.

Tilllll…..Nexxxxxxt……..Tiiiiiiiiiimeeeeeeee!!!!!

“Ghostbusters” and “Ecto-1”, “Peter Venkman, Raymond Stantz, Egon Spengler and Winston Zeddemore” and all other names, images and related material are Trademark/©Copyright of Delphi Films/Black Rhino Productions. Distributed by Columbia Pictures. “Ecto-Plasma Saber” is a For Tyeth Edition design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2018.

UT-60D Saber – Inspired by the Rogue One Gunship (Blender Version)

Hello Everybody, today I am bringing you a hilt that is sort of basic compared to the hilts I have created recently and bearing in mind the progress I have been making. I do however have a good reason. This hilt was one of my “test bed” models I worked on to learn the basics but whilst building it I got sidetracked by my TY Silencer. As a result I never posted this saber based on the Resistance’s troop transport/gunship, the UT-60D U-Wing fighter! I will show you the usual Work In Progress pictures and Glamour Shots, then I have BIG news concerning next week’s post. So first off here is UT-60D Saber….

UT-60D Emitter and Blades

UT-60D Pommel

UT-60D Forward

UT-60D Top Down

UT-60D Full Side View

This saber taught me how to make duplicate parts, inset panel sections, bevelled edges and was the first hilt I made with the faux cockpit section which lights up. The lit up cockpit later appeared on my TY Silencer hilt. Structurally, the saber features twin “wing blades” one either side of the plasma light blade. These represent the variable geometry wings (swing-wing) design of the UT-60D in the forward position. The cockpit forms the emitter and houses the blade socket which has transparent windows to allow the cockpit to light up. The handgrip features recessed gripping areas that mimic the travel/cargo cases the UT-60D transports. It also leads to the pommel that has four engine modules placed at each corner just like the Incom spaceship. Look closely at the engine pods and you will see my early attempts at mechanical detailing. A Covertech knob on the underside of the pommel allows it to be hung from your belt. That covers the structure of the hilt but it needed a paint job so I though a nice factory fresh blue and white would look good. Here are the Glamour Shots….

Cockpit Emitter and Wing Blade

Rear View showing quadruple engines

Engine pod close up details

Full length view.

I added the blue along the bevelled edges on the wings and the inner panels in a layout I thought would be plausible. I am a big aviation fan and had seen a real Earth aircraft in a similar scheme. The grey, I thought made a change from having black contrast and it makes the overall look seem sportier.

Now that just about wraps up the UT-60D Saber Blender Version. I just have time to tell you about a bit of exciting news! Next week I am going to be posting in collaboration with a fellow blogger for a spooky Halloween Special! The reason I didn’t have a top notch hilt today is that I have been hard at work on a very unique saber for this next special post. The saber will have a connection to the subject of my friend’s post so we have a Crossover! I hope you will join me and …My Mystery Guest…for our next post. Hopefully it will scare the socks off you all  😀 !

Of course before I go I’d like to say thanks for visiting today and supporting me and my site. Whether you are new or regular viewers, you are all appreciated. Till next time…..

“UT-60D U-Wing”, “Rogue One” and all other Star Wars related names, logos and images are Trademark/©Copyright of Disney/LucasFilm. The “UT-60D Saber Blender Version” is a For Tyeth Editions design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2018.

Citadel Saber – A lightsaber with a spin

Hello Everybody, I today have a rather unusual design that even surprised me how it turned out. It all stemmed from my attempts to learn a new modelling technique (building on my one technique a week), The particular tool/skill I wanted to learn was the Spin function. This method involves drawing a flat 2D outline and then, using the Spin function, the software extrudes (stretches) that line around a set point or axis line, which then forms a full 3D shape. I found it a fascinating idea as I used to own some paper lantern Christmas decorations that were flat but opened out to form bell shaped hangers. This tool works in the same way. So I drew the silhouette of the hilt handle, marking points to show where the emitter began and ended, then the narrow choke points, handgrip etc down to the pommel. I had a line drawing, which I then selected and clicked the Spin function. The software traced the line round and formed a 30 degree sliver. I hadn’t set the rotation limit so the software only created a “slice” of the hilt but upon setting the rotation to 360 degrees it formed a perfect handle! Here are the work in progress pictures…and sorry there aren’t many but as you will see this technique makes modelling very quick and easy!

All of the “slices”

All the parts that make this hilt!

An “Exploded” view of the saber!

As you can see in the pictures there isn’t many parts to this saber! The first image shows the “slices” of the hilt but they are spread apart. By moving the original Slice (marked with the coloured arrows) you can alter the position of the “copies” moving them together to form the cylinder. Once I had pulled the Slices together I just had to add the switch, blade and the Covertech Knob to hang the saber from a belt clip. You can see the basic hilt parts in the second image while the third shows an “Exploded” view to give an idea how they fit together. In reality this hilt would still be manufactured from a hollow tube of Aluminium, the Slices used in this method just cuts down on the amount of segments you have to model to form it as the software creates clones. Now enough talking and as there wasn’t much modelling to do I was able to take a few more Glamour Shots in various colours…

Silver Citadel 1

Silver Citadel 2

Silver Citadel 3

Silver Citadel 4

Silver Citadel 5

Dark Citadel 1

Dark Citadel 2

Dark Citadel 3

For’s Green Version 1

For’s Green Version 2

And as a special treat I have a final gallery to display the Golden Citadel hilt. The reason being is that on the Ultrasabers fan forum called SaberForum.com, it’s members have a topic where they can suggest what they would like Ultrasabers to develop and sell in future. Well some members mentioned they wanted more gold hilts with black accents. As I designed this the same day gold hints were mentioned I figured why not see how it looks in gold and hopefully give them some ideas.

Please bear in mind this design is not linked to Ultrasabers in any way I am just a member of their forum.

Here are the pics…

Citadel 1

Citadel 2

Citadel 3

Citadel 4

Citadel 5

And the observant viewers will have noticed that the pommel is lit up! Yes, I have “re-introduced” my “For Tyeth Emitter Pommels” known as FTE. The pommel isn’t made from an emitter part as in earlier designs on this site but it does emit light!

I am once more running out of time, the hands of the clock have “spun around” to closing time (<see what I did there 😀 ) and I will have to end this post. But first as always I have to thank all of you, my fantastic viewers and followers (new and regulars) for your support. I really hope you enjoyed this hilt and will return to see more new designs (I have a robot car themed hilt and a saber for a watery warrior coming soon) in future posts. Till next time….

“Citadel Saber (ft)” is a For Tyeth Editions design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2018. This website and all it’s content are ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-2018.

Jedi Knight Saber – Inspired by Knight Rider

Hello Everybody and in particular to two friends of this site, namely The Vintage Toy Advertiser (TVTA) and his pet office cat WOOOF! In one of TVTA’s recent comments he mentioned classic TV shows and that he had searched FTSabersite for a design dedicated to, or a mention of a very special show. That show was Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff as a man on a crusade to fight crime using the aid of an indestructible supercar. Hasselhoff played the part of Michael Arthur Long, a cop who was working an undercover case. He was shot in the head and left for dead by the female criminal he was investigating. Lying in the desert Michael Long was fortunately discovered by a passer-by who took him to get medical aid, and saved his life. The man who found Michael was Wilton Knight, a reclusive millionaire who provided the hospital and treatment Michael needed to survive. That treatment included plastic surgery. Michael Long served in Vietnam and had a metal plate in his skull which actually deflected the bullet intended to kill him but his face was damaged when he was shot.

Michael Arthur Long awoke with a new face, a new identity and a new challenge should he take it. Wilton Knight enlisted Michael as a secret crime fighter and supplied him with a new name, Michael Knight and….a new supercar to help his crime-fighting exploits. That car was called KITT and I was sort of challenged to create a saber inspired by this show. These are my work in progress pictures…

Slanted emitter and sensor bulge

Basic hilt in studio.

Pommel cap with Knight Industries logo

Roof panel hand grips and spoiler!

As you may know the supercar, KITT, is based on 1982/3/4 model Pontiac Trans-Am and Firebird cars. They are very sleek, aerodynamic and in the case of KITT….was jet black in colour. This caused me a problem as it is hard to make details stand out on solid dark objects! But if you check out the picture above you can see the slanted emitter that reflects the hood and nose of the car, above which is a bulge. This bulge is the housing for KITT’s iconic sweeping red light sensor you see as “he” drives toward you (yes KITT is a he, voiced by actor William Daniels). The switch plate is just below that sensor bulge but isn’t visible with out the textures but you’ll see it below. Next on the hilt are two panels to represent the “T-Bar” sunroof of the Pontiac which enabled KITT to have ejector seats! At the very bottom of the hilt is the pommel, complete with Tyre Grip knurling around it’s edges and the logo of Wilton Knight’s corporation Knight Industries (fans will remember seeing the chess piece logo on the side of the semi-truck used as a mobile headquarters!) AND there is a SPOILER! No not a spoiler to ruin the enjoyment of a show or film but the aerodynamic kind to improve the performance of the car. I considered adding one to the hilt but didn’t as I thought it may look too busy, but after giving TVTA a sneak peek he suggested I add one…so on receiving great advice I did. Now enough chatting how about some Glam Shots? OK here are the rendered pictures…

En early test build (blue blade!)

Another early build with added switch section.

The iconic “Sweeping Sensor”

“Hello Michael, Hello Master Tyeth”!

The updated pommel section and added Spoiler!

Final Glam Shot.

I have done my best to show the details of this hilt but as I mention due to KITT’s colour scheme it is difficult to show details on dark objects. However hopefully you can see the famous red sweeping sensor above the emitter (with a new yellow blade to represent headlights!). There are two orange indicator turn lights either side of the hilt to make it street legal 😀  Also the activation switch is modelled on the electronic display used to mimic KITT’s “mouth” on the car’s dashboard. In reality I would use a touch sensitive panel similar to a smartphone screen lock, you swipe your thumb up or down to switch the saber on and off. The pommel has the Knight chess piece logo in silver and there is of course the Spoiler that just finishes the hilt perfectly. OH wait I need one more thing for this to be legal….a license plate!….How about one of these?….

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Ok folks that just about wraps up this design. I’d like to thank TVTA and Wooof! for the inspiration and suggestion to come up with this hilt. Please be sure to check out their site showcasing classic advertising material, just click HERE.

And again as always thank you to all of my viewers and followers, new and regular, you are all much appreciated (and a Hi to my friend Rebel from Hong Kong, I saw you had visited!) And to everyone please be sure to call back for future posts as I have those two movie blockbuster film hilts coming soon. (One is based on another car and the second is based on a film that just released a 5min trailer!) So thanks again and

Till Next Time…..

“Jedi KNIGHT Saber” is a For Tyeth Edition design and is ©Copyright of For Tyeth/FTSabersite 2016-18. “Knight Rider”, “Michael Long/Knight” and “K.I.T.T.”  were created by Glen A. Larson and are Trademark/©Copyright of Glen A. Larson and Universal Television,