E11 Stormtrooper Blaster Power Cylinders Resource

- E11 Replica Blasters -

All cover photos are of my replica blasters, including the ones that look like original publicity shots.
Some of the photos inside the pdf are © LucasFilm Ltd and each one is credited individually.
 Introduction
This pdf is the result of my project to make screen-accurate replicas of
my favourite Stormtrooper blasters. It’s a gallery of pictures without
much text. If you’d like to read more about the project or the E11 Power
Cylinders please follow this link:

www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/17306-3-central-fuses-on-e11-blaster-cylinders

To explain the project briefly...

Some time ago I started building my own replica E11 Stormtrooper

Blaster. I wanted it to be as close as possible to the originals that the
cast of Star Wars held during filming.

It’s possible to buy most of the original parts: a deactivated Sterling

9mm submachine gun, a Sherman tank scope and a Hengstler coun-
ter. However, there were no original “Power Cylinders” available to buy
and the commercial reproductions didn’t seem quite accurate enough
to my eye. I wanted my build to be as authentic as possible so I decided
to make my own.

This pdf shows the final results. It’s the same Sterling submachine gun
in each photo but I’ve matched each of the screen-identified variations
with the corresponding scopes, rails, mags and Hengstler positions.

I hope you enjoy looking through the photos.

Cheers, Andy

Legal Disclaimer:

This fan-made pdf is not sponsored or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd, Disney

or any of their affiliates. This pdf is not to be bought, sold or traded.
Please see the last page for full credits, thanks & copyright details.

“Star Wars” is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The “Star Wars logo & characters © Lucasfilm Ltd.
 Power Cylinder Shapes
When I analysed blaster screenshots frame by frame I noticed that
the backplates of each set of Power Cylinders were slightly differ-
ent. I’ve grouped similar sets and given each group a letter, A to E.

Here’s a CGI image of the five main Power Cylinder shapes in the
order they appear in this pdf:

I’ve rendered them grey, rather than black, so the details are easier to
see. The main differences are the shapes of the backplates though
you’ll notice that on Shape D one of the central capacitors has been
pushed to one side. (If you’d like to read an in-depth analysis of the
Power Cylinders’ design, please follow the links on the “Introduction”
or “Final Thoughts” pages.)

When you look through this pdf you’ll see I’ve recreated two different
variations of Shape C. This is because “C1 Han’s Charge” is one of my
favourite moments in the film and because the “C2” Power Cylinders
were glued on back to front, making them very distinctive.

Anyway, that‘s enough chat for now. Let’s have a look at the photos...
 Image © LucasFilm Ltd Image © LucasFilm Ltd
Original

Replica
Shape A - “Leia’s Escort”
 Shape A - “Leia’s Escort” (2)

Replica

Replica
 Shape B - “Detention Block”

Image © LucasFilm Ltd

Image © LucasFilm Ltd
Original

Replica
 Shape B - “Detention Block” (2)

Replica

Replica
 Image © LucasFilm Ltd Image © LucasFilm Ltd
Shape C1 - “Han’s Charge”

Original

Replica
Shape C1- “Han’s Charge” (2)

Replica

Replica
 Image © LucasFilm Ltd Image © LucasFilm Ltd
Shape C2 - “On Backwards”

Original

Replica
 Shape C2 - “On Backwards” (2)

Replica

Replica
 Shape D - “Tunisian”
My aim in this project was to replicate blasters that I could see in
scenes from film. I haven’t found any screenshots of this one, just
promo photos, but it’s so iconic that I had to make it.

Image © LucasFilm Ltd

Original

Replica
 Shape D - “Tunisian” (2)
When I compared my replica photos with the originals I realised that
the originals had some glue/solder/dirt on the Cylinder nuts that I
hadn’t noticed before. I’ll have to add some to mine for total accuracy.

Image © LucasFilm Ltd

Original

Replica
 Shape D - “Tunisian” (3)
The blasters in the Tatooine scenes were modified to comply with
Tunisian firearm laws. The firing mechanisms were removed and
they were given solid aluminium rear sections. I didn’t want to cut
my Sterling in half so those parts are clearly not screen-accurate.
I’m hoping to make those sections as my next project.

Image © LucasFilm Ltd

Original

Replica
 Shape D - “Tunisian” (4)

Replica

Replica
 Shape E - “Post-Production”
As I said before, my aim in this project was to make blasters that I
could see in scenes from the film. This curly-wired version appears
in “The Chronicles of Star Wars”. My guess is that these wires were
added post-production (and therefore don’t appear in the film) but I
think they’re fun so I made this version too.

The wires are red & green like the originals (though they appear grey
in the black and white photos).

Original Replica
Image © LucasFilm Ltd
 Shape E - “Post-Production” (2)

Image © LucasFilm Ltd

Original

Replica

Replica
 Shape E - “Post-Production” (3)

Replica

Replica
 MSE Droid Comparison
The Power Cylinders were cut from the same racks that the MSE Droid
used. (You can read more about all aspects of the design by following
the link on page one.) There are no clear photos showing the back of the
Power Cylinders so let’s look at the MSE Droid for one final comparison.

Image © Toromodel
Original

Replica
 Final Thoughts
This has been a really fun project. It ‘s been far more complex than I
imagined it would be when I set out to make a Stormtrooper blaster.

I’ve learned lots of new techniques, including how to solder better,

how to zinc plate metal and how to use the vintage clock-makers lathe
I bought specifically to make the replica Power Cylinders.

As with most projects, there are things I’d do differently another time
but I’m pleased with the overall results. I hope people enjoy looking at
the finished replica photos as much as I enjoyed making them.

Cheers, Andy

If you’d like to read more about the project, please follow these links:
www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/17306-3-central-fuses-on-e11-blaster-cylinders
 CREDITS, THANKS & LINKS

“Star Wars” is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The “Star Wars” logo & characters © Lucasfilm Ltd.

E11 ORIGINAL DESIGN:

George Lucas, John Christian, Ralph McQuarrie & the Star Wars team
(I’m not sure if Ralph McQuarrie actually had a direct hand in designing the E11 but his
stunning concept art added so much to the visuals of Star Wars that he’s in here.)

John Barry, Karl Schmidt & the team from www.Bapty.co.uk

PHOTOS & SCREENSHOTS:

Lucasfilm Ltd for the publicity photos & screenshots.

Toromodel for the MSE Droid photo.
WolfCubDesigns for all other images in this pdf.

RESEARCH & SUPPORT:

Everyone who has commented on the “3 central “fuses”..?” thread on FISD:

www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/17306-3-central-fuses-on-e11-blaster-cylinders
PlayfulWolfCub, Gazmosis, TK Bondservnt 2392, Marv, Stormy320, Zeroroom,
Geordietrooper, Locitus, Lonepigeon, Erv, Andy19422, Turrican, PGHtrooper21,
Lichtbringer, Paplooo, Sskunky, TK895 Michael, Abaris, Evilboy, Matt Black, Jkno,
Eldrik, Crafty, Dm101, Rogue Studio, Rhapsodyred99, JackSpratt, Turrican, Darth
Chridan, Vadier, Vader74, Dr.Senf, Mr_sparkle, Douglasthecook, Brent, Ducati,
TK-50101 Blue Snaggletooth, Ripcode, Skullduggery, Challenge64, Techne,
Dm101, Oztrooper, TK222, Welshchris77, Vheissu, SmilesLikeJoker, Faie.

Special mentions to Andy Stiles & John Romanowski for sharing their
historical Power Cylinders research & Andy’s capacitor discovery.

Chris Reiff & Chris Trevas for their www.PartsofStarWars.com

Rob Kingman & Jane for their helpful ideas, supportive feedback,
patience and continued enthusiasm throughout this project.

COPYRIGHT DETAILS:

This pdf is not sponsored or endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd or any of its affiliates.
Commercial usage of any copyrighted material contained within is strictly
prohibited without the express permission of the copyright owner.
This fan-made pdf is for the exclusive use of fans and is to be
shared freely. It is never to be bought, sold or traded