During the production of props for The Empire Strikes Back this single model kit was used to detail numerous props, droids and costumes.
Although this kit has been well known for years*, the extent of it's use had yet to be documented, until now. We felt this popular source of greeblies* deserved it's own page for it is the source for many of "The Parts of Star Wars".
The Revell Visible V-8 Model Kit was first introduced to the Star Wars universe by Frank Bruton, head of the property department for The Empire Strikes Back.
Since the kit was purchased around 1978-79, the exact kit used was most likely the 1977 Revell reissue of the kit which was originally produced by Renwal. Revell has since reissued the kit at least twice, but without the motorized components. Due to this difference in kits, some of the parts listed below are marked as only being available in the 1977 kit or the earlier Renwal version.
Industrial Light and Magic also used this model kit to detail props for Return of the Jedi.
*The use of this model kit was first mentioned in Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of The Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back by Alan Arnold, 1980, p.186.
At the time the author assumed that Frank Bruton was referring to a real V-8 engine and so it was not noted in the book as a plastic model.
**Greebly (greeblies) - "If we can't give a name to something we call it a 'greebly'. Greebly is a word George Lucas coined on Star Wars for something you can't otherwise define."
- Frank Burton, Property Department Head The Empire Strikes Back
Part Number and Name | Photo | Prop(s) |
#3 Wall Block Front (clear) |
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FX-7 Medical Droid Arms (2 per arm) 'elbows' |
#5 Cover, Timing Gears (clear) |
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FX-7 Medical Droid Arms (2 per arm) |
#10 and #11 Cap, Cylinder Walls - right and left (clear) |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Backpack |
#18 Cap, Cylinder Head (clear) |
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C-3PO Exposed Back Plate Details (x2) |
#20 Cover, Valves (clear) |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Backpack |
#32 Thermostat Housing |
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Portable Scanner (Cryon Corp. Enhancescan) |
#36 Screen, Oil Pump (combines with part #79) |
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Hoth Rebel Officer Rank Badge (Infantry) |
#38 Distributor Gear |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Glove Comlink |
#40 Camshaft |
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Electrobinoculars BlasTech DH-17 (ESB) |
#41 Bevel Gear, Camshaft Rear |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Glove Comlink |
#43 Timing Gear, Camshaft Front |
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Rebley-v10 Micro Grenade Launcher |
#44 Pinion Gear, Starter |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Glove Comlink |
#52 Carburetor, Front Half |
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Han Solo (ESB) Belt Accessory |
#53 Carburetor, Rear Half |
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FX-7 Medical Droid Arms (1 per arm) 'elbow' detail |
#62-H Crankshaft Segment |
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BlasTech DH-17 (ESB) |
#65 Connecting Rod |
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BlasTech EE-3 Blaster Rifle (ESB) |
#67 and #68 Piston Halves (Male and Female) |
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BlasTech DL-44 (Han ESB) - x 2
BlasTech DL-44 (ESB / ROTJ Stunt Version) - x 3 BlasTech A280 (Hoth Rebel Trooper Blaster Rifle) - x 2 BlasTech DLT-20A (IG-88 gun) - x 2 |
#69 Rocker Arm |
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Headset Comm - Hoth Rebel Soldier
Bandolier Comm- Endor Soldier |
#75 Push Rod |
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Electrobinoculars (x 6) |
#78 Oil Pump, Lower Half |
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Hoth Rebel Trooper Blaster Pistol |
#79 Oil Pump Screen Housing |
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Hoth Rebel Officer Rank Badge (Infantry) -combines with part #36) Headset Comm - Hoth Rebel Soldier Bandolier Comm- Endor Soldier |
#84 Distributor Retainer |
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BlasTech DL-44 (Luke ESB) - x 1
BlasTech DL-44 (ESB / ROTJ Stunt Version) - x 2 |
#86 Fuel Pump, Front Half |
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Hoth Rebel Trooper Blaster Pistol |
#87 Fuel Pump, Actuator Arm |
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Hoth Rebel Trooper Blaster Pistol - x 2 |
#88 Fuel Pump, Rear Half |
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Hoth Rebel Trooper Blaster Pistol |
#89 and #90 Oil Filter (Male and Female) |
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Headset Comm - Hoth Rebel Soldier
Bandolier Comm- Endor Soldier |
#92 Cover, Starting Gear Case (1977 model kit or earlier only) |
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BlasTech EE-3 Blaster Rifle (ROTJ) - x 2 |
#97 Battery Box Top (1977 model kit or earlier only) |
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Hoth Rebel ID Badges (Soldier)
Hoth Rebel ID Badges (Officer) |
#98 Switch Plate, Battery Box (1977 model kit or earlier only) |
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BlasTech DL-44 (Han ESB)
BlasTech DL-44 (Luke ESB) ? BlasTech DL-44 (ESB / ROTJ Stunt Version) |
#100 Impeller, Water Pump |
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Electrobinoculars |
#103 Fan Hub |
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Hoth Rebel Soldier Glove Comlink |
#104 Fan Pulley, Rear Half |
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Relby-k23 Cloud City Blaster |
#107 Vibration Damper Pulley, Front Half |
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BlasTech DLT-20A (IG-88 gun)
FX-7 Medical Droid Arms (1 per arm) 'elbow' detail |
Note: These are only the confirmed parts used from this kit. We believe there are many more yet to be discovered on both ESB and ROTJ props.
More photos will be added as relevant Item or Character pages are created.