Star Wars Prop Hacking System Upgrade Introduction
Star Wars Box Project Development Journal
After Hand In Upgrade, Repair and Problem Solving Introduction
Issues and Problems At Hand In Stage
The project was handed in when I ran out of time.
Despite gaining a distinction for the Star Wars Prop there were still many flaws that needed addressing in January 2024 when it was handed in, so after the course in August 2024 looked to deal with these, then latrer in Feb to March 2025
The Animated Screen is My Phone
Whilst as a short-term solution using my phone as an animation screen looking like radar, sensors, communication or other systems, the problem is it is my phone and I need it as a phone to use and not be in the prop.
It’s also a big problem in that it is my primary camera needed to take photos of said Prop and animated screen.
The 3rd problem is the compartment the phone sits in was sized only for my Samsung Galaxy Ultra 21 phone.
It is a snug fit and unlikely to fit anything else.
The Wings Open Too Loosely
The wide control surface wings open too fast, too suddenly, too loose and too hard risking damage to the prop.

The wing impacts causes the transmitter towers to break along with various kitbash parts and possibly the whole structure as they slam into hard surfaces.
The Control Panel Poor Quality Connection
The system of using small screws to close and open the under-control surface battery and electronics box bays is wearing out the thin walls and is not an efficient way to close and open the boxes.
There needs to be a clipping system but does not appear to be the room to implement this.
The LEDs Are Damaged
When the LED strips were installed, I tried various glues to old them in place:
- Superglue
- Glue Gun
- Epoxy
and none worked. In the end I had used a stable gun and this may have damaged the electronics piercing something as they work intermittently like loose wiring.
The Electronics Are Unreliable and Powerpack have a Timed Switch Off
The electronics in the wings are in general unreliable due to poor wiring and including the components in wiring rather than a circuit or breadboard.
The Communication Towers Component Parts Have Wery Weak Connections and Keep Breaking
The aerials or communication towers were loosely put together in layers glued together, but lacking a interlocking structure or more so a central spine / tang all the way through the towers the act like Lego. They break apart like layered Lego thats not interlocked. In fact, they break simply by opening the wings hard or any knocking against anything such as the roof of a car when placing it in the car as cannot handle any sheer force.
- Many of the layers had vary little surface areas to glue and little if any interlocking so for the most part different glues were not helpful.
- I needed replacement with a system with a full-length core, ideally a metal rod running though all the parts into the superstructure of the tower.
- What would be ideal would be a system there the communication towers are solid when in place but can be removed for transportation & storage.
The red component towers are parts I got from Prop House Bob's Bits.
They also need more detail.
Sides and interior Lack Kitbash Detail
The sides lack any details and need kit bashing.
After Hand In Upgrade, Repair and Problem Solving Introduction
Since then I have done a considerable number of upgrades, fixes, problem solving, detailing massively improving the prop and adding my own animation and a transport case.
Which were big project in of themselves over the last year since completing the course.
Much of the upgrades, problem solving and fixes as well as detailing were done August 2024 to September then I was bogged down in free short courses where I advanced skills in:
After Effects and Adobe Premier
These skills were used to make my own animation.
Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Firefly AI Image Generation
This was used for the promotional Poster and the AI enhanced photos placing the prop in Star Wars scenes and Tatooine

Firefly was also used to make the story board for scenes that would incorporate the props and animation.
More work was done on the project In February to April due to my computer breaking down for nearly 2 months meaning I could not work on my short course work.
This was when I created the transport case and tested this repeatedly, in a cycle of problem solving and testing as well as recreating the wing panels to fix the electronics and make a better fit to help closing the system.
August to September 2024
- Rebuilt the Transmitter Towers with a 12mm steal shaft and parts from Bobs Bits Prop House Making the Comm Towers Removable and Stable
- Substantial Kit Bashing of the Prop Sides Faces
- Interior Kit Bashing
- New Distressing and Aging Paining to a new Colour Pallet
- Rebuilding and Substantially Strengthening the Prop Wings which were Breaking Easily
- Stiffening and Softening the Wing Opening Hinges
- This was followed over Autumn 2025 by the Screen Animation
In February 2025 to April 2025
- I created the Transport Case and enhanced its Various Systems with lots of Problem Solving
- Recreated the Right-Hand Screen Wing Electronic Panel and Built a Quick Release Bolt System to Replace the Screws
- Upgraded the Kit Bashing with Rivets to hold them in Place, in Particular on the Transmitting Towers and Transport Case
- Rebuilt the Base to Stabilise the Prop
