Image © Disney/Lucasfilm

Harald was kind enough to send over several photos and a great decription of how he put together his Lego diorama:

I started thinking about creating a LEGO version of the Starspeeder 3000 when I visited Disneyland Paris in March 2010, and being an avid Star Wars fan, went to the Star Tours ride of course.

At the park I saw a toy version of the Starspeeder 3000, and being a LEGO model builder (albeit not by profession) I immediately started thinking of remaking the vehicle in LEGO bricks.

I started looking for background info and reference material, and of course landed on EndorExpress.net as well.  I got quite a few good pictures from the site, and especially the diorama of Mark Patton helped a lot.

As with all my designs, I started off building the vehicle in a LEGO-based computer programme called MLCad (see www.ldraw.org for more info), which works perfectly as you don’t have any limitations whatsoever in building LEGO creations, and of course it takes up a lot less space than building with ‘real’ LEGO bricks.

After having built up the model in the digital universe, I checked whether the pieces I required actually existed in the real world (unfortunately LEGO do not make all their parts in 60 colours), and then started ordering the pieces I did not have in my own collection from the Internet.  I know from ‘proper’ model builders that they need to but up several copies of one scale model in order to build what they want via so called ‘kit-bashing’, but in the world of LEGO you can actually buy individual pieces from many online shops concentrated on one website (www.bricklink.com), or buy individual parts directly from the LEGO company (although some limitations apply ordering there).  If I’d have to make a rough estimation, I think the parts of this model cost me about 350$ / 325€.

Building up the actual model is the last step in the process.  It always occurs that something you have thought of in the digital world can’t be done in the real world, so I did have to alter some things, but the actual model is still for 99% similar to the digital one.

The last step was stickering the model, and in this case I used both LEGO’s own stickers (like the impact scars on the side, which come from a LEGO police set), and my own designs.  The sticker on C-3PO’s screen is actually a picture of an Atari Arcade Cockpit, but with a Star Tours logo and a blueprint of the vehicle.  Unfortunately the white colours got lost in the sticker printing process, so I still need to work out a new one for that.

All in all I’m pretty happy with the result.  It’s a pity that LEGO doesn’t have a system  to open doors without showing enormous gaps. Because of this I was forced to have the side doors open vertically, the alternative would be to have three doors instead of the ‘actual’ five.  I got a lot of positive feedback on the vehicle, and as with all my other built models, I’ll not take it apart to build something new.  So unlike the Starspeeder 3000 at Disney, mine’s here to stay!

Doors had to open vertically, or the sides would not look smooth when closed.  There are some bars in the open structure to keep the vehicle rigid.

You don’t really think RX-24 is such a bad driver, do you?  The actual piloting is done by George Lucas himself!

The Star Tours crew (from left to right): George Lucas, two Star Tours employees, DL-X2, RX-24, G2-9T, C-3PO and R2-D2.

A new group of travelers is under way (from left to right): Vilmarh Grahrk (aka ‘Villie’), Astraal Vao, Wall-E, EVE, Chewbacca, Boba Fett (Just escaped from the Sarlacc pit and now looking for a new ride) and a skieer who seems to be on his way to Hoth

Thanks Harald !!

Regis Philbin, Jim Henson, Disney Princesses Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Lea Salonga, Anika Noni Rose, and Other Talented Contributors to Disney History Take the Spotlight at a Special Ceremony on Friday, August 19

BURBANK, Calif. – June 16, 2011 –Television icon Regis Philbin, Muppets creator Jim Henson, the extraordinary actresses who vocally brought to life many modern-day Disney Princesses including Jodi Benson (Ariel from The Little Mermaid), Paige O’Hara (Belle from Beauty and the Beast), Lea Salonga (singing voices of Jasmine from Aladdin and Mulan from Mulan), Linda Larkin (speaking voice of Jasmine from Aladdin), and Anika Noni Rose (Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog) plus other equally impressive contributors to the Disney legacy will be named and honored as official Disney Legends during the D23 EXPO at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

The Disney Legends Awards program is a 24-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, and the three-day D23 EXPO provides a rare opportunity for the public to be a part of the always touching and memorable presentation.  The awards ceremony will kick off the first day of the D23 EXPO, hosted by noted television personality Tom Bergeron (host of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and America’s Funniest Home Videos), and will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, in the Anaheim Convention Center Arena.

“From giving voice to some of our most iconic and beloved Disney princesses to bringing a smile to millions of television viewers every morning for two decades, we are proud to present these 12 men and women with our highest, most coveted honor, The Disney Legends Award,” said Disney President and CEO Bob Iger.  “Our newest honorees now join this unique and prestigious circle, which recognizes those whose incredible talents and outstanding contributions have had a lasting, meaningful impact on Disney’s great legacy.”

The 2011 Disney Legends Award honorees (listed alphabetically) are:

JODI BENSON is an acclaimed voice actress and soprano singer who provided both the singing and speaking voices for Disney’s Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid and its sequels. For more than 20 years, Benson has voiced Ariel in film, television, video games, toys and at Disney Parks. She also starred as Sam in Disney’s Enchanted and voiced Barbie in the hit Disney/Pixar films Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3, plus Weebo in the film comedy Flubber.

BARTON “BO” BOYD began his career at Disney 1968 as an Assistant Merchandise Supervisor at Disneyland . Continually advancing over the course of his 33-years with the company, Boyd was an integral part of the team creating merchandise specifically for Disneyland and Walt Disney World and held positions including Merchandise Division Director and Vice President, Retail Merchandising. In 1997, he was named Chairman of Disney Consumer Products where he oversaw one of the longest periods of sustained growth in the history of Disney merchandising with such initiatives as Licensed Merchandise, Walt Disney Records, the start of Hyperion Press, the entire line of Disney magazine products, Disney Catalog, Disney Interactive for computer games and educational software, ESPN—The Store, Walt Disney Classics Collection, Walt Disney Collectors Society and the establishment of the first Disney Store outside the grounds of the Disney Parks.

JIM HENSON, an Emmy Award-winning television producer and Oscar-nominated film director, was an American puppeteer and the creator of global phenomenon, The Muppets. The cross-cultural appeal of The Muppets propelled television shows like Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, and Fraggle Rock to new heights. The success of these series led Henson to explore feature films including The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper and The Muppets Take Manhattan, as well as the technologically ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. The Muppet legacy continued with popular Disney films such as The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island, as well as the upcoming The Muppets, premiering this November.

LINDA LARKIN is a celebrated actress and popular voice performer best known for providing the voice of Princess Jasmine in the Disney animated feature Aladdin, its sequels, spin-offs and television specials. She has also been vocally featured in the Disney animated television series House of Mouse and the popular Kingdom Hearts video game.

PAIGE O’HARA is a Broadway actress and singer best known for providing the voice of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, its sequels, series and games. She also starred as Angela in the Disney film hit Enchanted. O’Hara has also been vocally featured in the Disney video game Kingdom Hearts and as Belle on the 64th Annual Academy Awards.

REGIS PHILBIN is an Emmy Award-winning, cultural icon who has entertained millions of people through talk shows, game shows, books and albums for more than 50 years. For the past 23 years, Americans have woken up to Philbin, thanks to the nationally syndicated hit talk show LIVE! with Regis and Kelly which originated in 1983 when Philbin created The Morning Show for WABC in New York . In addition to his daytime success, Philbin launched ABC’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire into a primetime powerhouse and hosted a variety of shows including NBC’s America’s Got Talent, CBS’ Million Dollar Password, and the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

JACK AND BONITA WRATHER struck a deal with their friend Walt Disney in 1954 to build a luxury family hotel on property adjacent to Disneyland in Anaheim , California . Ground was broken on March 18, 1955, and the hotel opened six and a half months later—104 rooms in five two-story buildings at a starting room rate of $15. The Disneyland Hotel, originally conceived as simply lodging, presaged future developments in how Americans entertained themselves, pioneering, as Jack’s son Chris wrote, “new forms of dining as entertainment, shopping as entertainment and the use of a waterfront setting” in an urban environment. The Disneyland Hotel has since played host to kings, queens, presidents, entertainment and sports legends and families from around the world.

ANIKA NONI ROSE is a renowned actress and singer who provided the voice of Princess Tiana in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. In addition, some of her Broadway, television and film credits include her Tony Award-winning performance in Caroline, or Change, the blockbuster feature film Dreamgirls, and television series including The Starter Wife and The Good Wife.

LEA SALONGA is a celebrated actress and singer who provided the singing voice for two Disney Princesses: Jasmine in Aladdin, and Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan II. In addition to her recording and television career, Salonga’s vast Broadway credits are highlighted by her performance as Kim in Miss Saigon which garnered her numerous awards including a Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics’ Circle and Theater World Awards.

RAY WATSON was President of The Irvine Company when he was asked to join the Board of Directors for Walt Disney Productions in 1973. Watson’s early tenure on the Board saw the expansion of Walt Disney World, the 1976 opening of River Country—Disney’s first water park, and the opening of EPCOT Center , in 1982, which at a cost of $1 billion was the largest private land development project ever at that time. In 1983, Watson was elected as Chairman of the Board and after stepping down as chairman 1984, remained on the Board until he retired in 2004 after serving the Company for 30 years and establishing a worldwide reputation as a real estate development visionary.

GUY WILLIAMS was an acclaimed actor who starred in the hit Disney television series Zorro and two feature films, The Sign of Zorro and Zorro the Avenger. Williams’ charming portrayal of Zorro helped galvanized the character in the public’s imagination and made the series a favorite among the Baby Boomer generation and beyond. His other popular television credits include the hit series Bonanza and Lost in Space.

Each honoree receives a two-foot-tall bronze Disney Legends sculpture that signifies the imagination, creativity and magic they have brought to the Company. Disney Legends Award recipients also participate in a handprint ceremony, and their bronzed prints will be displayed in the Disney Legends Plaza at the Company’s Burbank headquarters.

The first Disney Legend, actor Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire), was named in 1987.  Including this year’s honorees, a total of 237 Disney Legends have been named.  Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Annette Funicello, Peter Jennings, Angela Lansbury, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Sir Tim Rice, Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Walters.  At the inaugural D23 Expo in 2009, the Legends Awards ceremony, which honored Robin Williams, Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty, Rue McLanahan, Betty White, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Harry Archinal, Don Iwerks and Leota Toombs Thomas, was presented to thousands of Disney fans for the first time.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com.  Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO, including the Disney Legends Ceremony, and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $42 for a one-day adult ticket and $32 for children 3-12.  Three-day passes are $121 for adults and $91 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Event for Fans and Families—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing guests with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood .  D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.Disney.com/D23; a collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us “DisneyD23” on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

You can find the full pictures and a behind the scenes sneak preview at the Disney Park Blog.

If you feel like helping out, please contact Kris, the Webmaster. Thanks.

Tickets On Sale Now at www.elcapitantickets.com or at (818) 845-3110

Event to Also Feature First-Ever Digital Projection of Newly Restored Feature Film, Rocketeer 20th Anniversary Collectibles and Film Exhibit

BURBANK, CA, June 8, 2011 – Acclaimed director Joe Johnston joins an out-of-this-world panel as D23: The Official Disney Fan Club celebrates the 20th anniversary of The Rocketeer. Johnston , whose work for Disney includes The Rocketeer, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Hildalgo, also helms this summer’s highly anticipated Captain America: The First Avenger. He joins the Rocketeer himself, actor Bill Campbell, make-up designer Rick Baker, screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo and renowned illustrator William Stout to honor this Disney film favorite.* Writer/producer/director Kevin Smith – whose film credits include Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma – will host the panel, which also includes rare film footage and photos, immediately before a special screening of the film on June 21, 2011, at the legendary El Capitan Theatre, where the film premiered two decades ago.

The evening celebration includes the first-ever, public presentation of the new, digitally remastered and projected version of The Rocketeer. All audience members will receive a complimentary Rocketeer 20th anniversary program and D23 Members and their guests will receive a special commemorative Rocketeer gift.

Following the screening, the celebration moves to the Hollywood Museum , located in the nearby historic Max Factor building, where guests are invited to explore four floors of movie memories and exhibits highlighted by a special presentation of props and costumes from The Rocketeer, curated exclusively for this event by the Walt Disney Archives.

Rocketeer fans will also have access to a selection of commemorative and limited-edition Rocketeer merchandise and collectibles, available for purchase from D23 and event co-sponsor, Creature Features. Merchandise includes Bulldog Cafe coffee mugs and T-shirts, Rocketeer black light and 20th anniversary posters, assorted commemorative T-shirts and pins, Hughes Industries giclee prints, and the limited edition Cirrus X-3 double pin set (packaged inside a miniature replica of the Hughes Industries 1939 New York World’s Fair prop folder used by Howard Hughes – actor Terry O’ Quinn – in the film). A highlight of the merchandise offerings is the highly detailed Bull Dog Cafe Art Directors Model, limited to an edition size of only 23.

The Rocketeer follows the adventures of stunt pilot Cliff Secord (Billy Campbell) who discovers a stolen rocket pack and sets off on a series of heroic (and sometimes hilarious) adventures that attract the attention of Howard Hughes, the FBI, gangsters, a band of Nazis and one aspiring actress, namely Cliff’s girlfriend Jenny (Oscar® winner Jennifer Connolly). Directed by Johnston , the film also stars Terry O’Quinn, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton and Paul Sorvino.  Check out the trailer at: http://d23.disney.go.com/expo/062111.EE.EVENT_Rocketeer.html

Tickets are on sale now to both the general public and D23 Members online at www.elcapitantickets.com or by calling (818) 845-3110. Event ticket cost is $50 per person. Event check-in begins at 6:45 p.m. at the El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd ; panel and screening begins at 7:30 p.m. The Walt Disney Archives exhibit will follow the screening from 9:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Museum located at 1660 N. Highland Ave.

About D23

The name “D23” pays homage to the wonder and excitement that began in 1923 when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood .  D23 is the first official community for fans in Disney’s 88-year history.  D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, The Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Fans can join D23 at www.Disney.com/D23, all Disney Store locations within the United States , select shops at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, and www.DisneyStore.com/D23. To keep up with all the latest D23 news and events, follow us “DisneyD23” at Twitter and on Facebook.

About Creature Features

The name Creature Features has served the creators and collectors of science fiction, fantasy and horror as one of the film and TV industry’s most comprehensive resources of memorabilia for over 30 years. Owned and operated by Taylor White, this popular institution offers a vast array of genre-themed artifacts through its retail gallery in Sierra Madre, CA while also sponsoring film screenings, publishing books, producing classic soundtracks on CD and hosting a series of popular art gallery exhibits throughout Los Angeles .  The company’s presence can also be seen at numerous conventions, including Monsterpalooza, Comic-Con International and WonderFest. For more information: www.creaturefeatures.com.

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Image © Disney/Lucasfilm