TDH -
There is no big secret about the missile in question. and for those that may be confused, here is a little information. No one was trying to hold anything back, and it would have been explained in short order anyway, I've just been away from the boards for the last two days (mostly) taking care of shipping obligations.
In 2005, there was obviously a studio JF Helmet, 3 chest pieces, and some really BAD RF castings coming from an Aussie by the name of Bentley O'Toole. He's an all around hustler. A really bad dude that's getting himself in a lot of trouble. He claimed to have "original molds for everything". SOme people speculate that he is the source of my studio JF molds, but he is not. O'Toole claimed to be "THE" source that worked for Fox Australia, when in fact it was not him, but an acquaintance of his. This acquaintance was the employee whom exploited all of the JF parts we know today. However, O'Toole recast this guy's castings that were given to him and claimed them for himself. Which is why I've been warning people who buy castings from O'Toole, or anyone else that has "Recast" O'Toole's items to claim them as "Studio Castings", because they're far from 2 twice removed.
To abridge a very long story, in all of these parts there were two missiles that were taken from Fox as well. One was a horrible stunt missile that was made of rubber originally. This is the missile that O'Toole distributed as an actual ILM Boba/Jango missile. The second missile, came from the real source of these parts/molds. It was the hero missile used in AOTC. They look night and day in their differences.
About the hero missile -
It was made by Fox Australia using exact specs from an ILM Archived item. It was NOT directly cast from an original Boba missile. But it is the only missile in back yard prop history that has anything close to a pedigree. About the same as an MR helmet would, in MY opinion. But, the caveat to this is, it was scaled down to fit Morrison's smaller suit components. When I obtained the casting, the only detail that was missing was the tip end of it. Everything else was exacting detail to what we've come to know and love on exhibit all over the world, with the exception that it was scaled.
In an attempt to restore it's original size, measurements from C4 of the left gauntlet were not only used for scaling my own gauntlets, but also to proportion the missile to the best of our ability. Thanks to Alex (Spideyfett) were were able connect with Philip Wise (Rebelscum.com) and his personal machinist to make this happen. Again, all the details were preserved as it was painstakingly proportioned in CAD. And I reiterate that the only detail that has no digital lineage to the original missiles is the cone at the front end.
What this comes down to is this ... if you are not comfortable with the "naysayers" have to say, please do not purchase a missile. No one is obligated. It is that simple. We are only trying to provide something neat to the community ( as usual) while "others" gloat on how much they know, and never share a thing
I have not returned to the boards to get into a feud. Please accept my apologies for that of which although I do not have any control, I feel bad that no matter where "Fettpride" goes, "someone" always has to follow and start the drama all over again.
Now that I have taken the time to write this, I will no longer be able to make it to the post office for those members that are waiting for items to be shipped. I do apologize. But I will make sure all of the last of the 2008 obligations are to the post by noon tomorrow (when our local post closes).
It's sad that I have to take away from our community for this sort of silliness :facepalm
Regards,
FP