EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI
Used by:
Luke Skywalker
Lando Calrissian (Skiff Guard Disguise)
Han Solo
Assorted Minions of Jabba the Hutt

DL18.JPG(60882 bytes)


     
In a split second this blaster flew from the guard's holster and into the young Jedi's hand. He managed to fire a single shot which flew wild as the floor gave way beneath him...

Luke Skywalker used the force to gain this blaster in an attempt to fire on Jabba the Hutt. A disguised Lando Calrissian stood watch with this blaster at his side, ready to aide his friend's when the time came. Han Solo, half blind at the time, came to Lando's aide with a quick shot to the Sarlacc tentacle wrapped around his leg. This blaster was the most common weapon among Jabba the Hutt's entourage.

The basis for this blaster is a Umarex RO 72 Panther De-Luxe target air pistol. Although the pistol is marked "Made in Italy" Umarex is a German company. It is likely that Umarex was not the original distributor of these pistols since the movie props bear an additional manufacturer's mark not present on the current models. Umarex has only just recently discontinued this model.


Umarex RO 72 Panther

Click here to download the pamphlet front and diagram of the pistol (in German).

The front sight was turned 180 degrees so that it hung underneath the barrel. A cone shaped gray plastic piece is attached to back of the sight. The origin of this piece is unknown, but it is believed to be from a model kit perhaps a jet fighter engine. Industrial Light and Magic used many kit parts in the production of scale starship models.

The rear sight was removed and relocated to another ROTJ prop, the BlasTech E-11 Stormtrooper blaster. In it's place is a 'scope' of unknown origins. The rear end of this new scope also appears on the control levers of the Imperial speeder bikes.

Each side of the blaster prop is symmetrical. The metal side pieces are riveted in place with solid rivets. The pieces have yet to be identified. Also on the side is a black plastic 5/8 inch hemisphere and an unknown missile-shaped piece. This hollow olive green colored plastic part (approx. 2 3/8" long) is likely from an aircraft model kit.

Below the missile piece is a part from a Revell Visible V-8 Engine model kit. This rectangular part is #98 from the battery box of the original motorized version of the kit. (Note: this piece is missing on the prop photo at the top of this page but would be located in the empty gray colored spot on the lower metal piece.)


Part #98 of the Revell Visible V-8 Engine

Mounted in the center of the pistol's endcap is a short (approx. 3/8") metal tube. The interior of this tube is threaded.

The whole blaster prop was spray painted flat black and then rubbed of the detail pieces for a weathered look. The textured grip section was painted brown.

Note: This blaster was previously labeled as the BlasTech DL-18 on The Parts of Star Wars. Since only one reference source ever referred to it as this model and subsequent Star Wars materials have used the DL-18 designation for another blaster model we have revised to title.