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Tag Archives: The Tech Museum in San Jose

Getting Around with Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder from Star Wars

05 Wednesday Feb 2020

Posted by untouchedtcphotos in Landspeeder, Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder, Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars Episode 4, Star Wars Episode IV, T-34, The Tech Museum of Innovation, X-34

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Landspeeder, Luke Skywalker's Landspeeder, Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars Episode 4, Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope, Star Wars Episode IV, T-34, The Tech Museum in San Jose, The Tech Museum of Innovation, X-34

Front View of Landspeeder and damaged area

Close up view of Damaged area





Duraplex Windscreen

Duraplex Windscreen and Power Circuit Access

Front view of Turbine Engine without cover


Rear View of Landspeeder

Back of the Top Turbine Engine

Turbine Engine with cover removed

Turbine Engine with cover


Small Scaled model used for filming from a distance

Scaled model in front of the life sized model

Scaled model next to the life sized model





Here is the Star Wars A New Hope movie filming model of Luke Skywalker’s Land Speeder. The model # is designated, T-34 or X-34 depending on where you do your research. It was incredible to see it up close and see the intricate details of this filming Landspeeder prop. There was a life sized and much smaller scaled model of the landspeeder on display at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose in 2013.

Luke Skywalker loved his Landspeeder. Even though, it was banged up and old, he maintained its performance. Being in the harsh environment of Tatooine, Luke tinkered with this old Landspeeder. This ship floated about a meter above the ground with its powerful repulsorlift engine and trio of air-cooled thrust turbines.

Luke sold his Landspeeder so that he could use the money to help pay Han Solo for passage to Alderaan on the Millennium Falcon. It was a sacrifice for Luke to sell his beloved Landspeeder. He spent a lot of hours maintaining it. So this vehicle had sentimental value. He sold it after the death of his aunt and uncle. Luke was moving on.

We do not have the privilege yet to own a Landspeeder. But many of us can remember our first car. My brother loves his first car. He bought a Volkswagon Scirocco 39 years ago and still kept it. He does not drive around with this old car but occasionally moves it around the block. He leaves the car outside and still admires it.

Luke’s sacrifice teaches us sometimes we need to let go of something we love to move on in life. Luke needed to move on as “The Force” was leading him to eventually be a Jedi. His aunt and uncle were gone. He had a new calling. He needed the money to move on. So he was forced to sell his Landspeeder. He kept it even though it was old and battered. He did not care about getting the newest technology. He was smart to tinker with it to keep it working. Luke was ready to move to his next step in life.

What are we holding on to that we need to let go of? I played a lot of video games when I was single. I bought a Playstation 3 thinking this was a good way to entertain myself and enjoy being single. Well, since I got married, I no longer have time for games. I had to move on to new responsibilities and activities – i.e. learning to blog and taking care of my 99 year old mother-in-law.

I learned I had to move on in my next stage of life and embrace changes.

Tinkering is a good skill to learn. As I have been expanding on how I want to do digital photography and create my network, I’ve been learning how to tinker to make things work. Technology keeps changing. I recently upgraded my system after 10 years. I keep playing around figuring out how I need to hook everything up and how to view my photos. Learning is an ongoing process.

Can we learn to get around without possessions which stop us from moving on?

Reflect —

  • Getting around to the next life stage and lose what you no longer need
  • Dare to tinker

Photos Teach!

 

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3 Lessons from the Devastator Imperial Star Destroyer Model from Star Wars

31 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by untouchedtcphotos in Imperial Star Destroyer, Star Destroyer, Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, The Tech Museum of Innovation

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Devastator Imperial Star Destroyer, Imperial Star Destroyer, Star Destroyer, Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode 4, Star Wars Episode 5, Star Wars Episode 6, Star Wars Episode IV, Star Wars Episode V, Star Wars Episode VI, Star Wars Return of the Jedi, The Tech Museum in San Jose, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Tie Fighter

Actual Movie Filming Model used for Star Wars Episodes IV – VI

The Model was big but not as big as I thought it would be after seeing the opening seen in Star Wars IV

I always enjoy reading the interesting info included with the model

Close-up view of the supporting arm for the model in the foreground

Rear View of the Star Destroyer showing the Seven Ion Engines

This gives the perspective that the Tie Fighter is right on top of you with the Star Destroyer much further away from you

Tie Fighter Model is Huge Next to the Star Destroyer Model

So cool to see the two models side by side

Very nice looking ship with a huge reflection of a Tie Fighter on the display case

Side view of the Command Bridge and the Turbolaser Turrets

This model did have incredible amount of detail

Detailed photograph of the Command Bridge


Another cool reflection of the Tie Fighter model on the protective display case

I still remember watching Star Wars A New Hope for the first time at the Coronet Theater in San Francisco in 1977. The opening scene was absolutely stunning with the  Devastator Imperial Star Destroyer filling up the entire screen, while it chased the Tantive IV Blockade Runner. It blew me away and introduced me to the Star Wars Franchise in a huge way. This got me hooked instantly to the Star Wars Universe.

It is really interesting that the Tantive IV Blockade Runner model was larger than the Star Destroyer model. The Tie Fighter model also looked gigantic next to the Star Destroyer.

Seeing the actual movie filming model of the Star Destroyer was a Star Wars fan’s dream. The entire Star Wars exhibit at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose in 2013 was the best Sci-Fi exhibit experience for me.

As I review these old pictures, I am amazed at the detail on the Star Destroyer. As indicated in the the signage for Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer, the fine details were magnified by filming closely to the model. Even though the model was small compared to their other single seat supporting fighter models like the Tie Fighter, their technique of slowly filming up close to give the impression of a large Star Destroyer was most impressive.

3 Lessons about Perspective in shooting objects

  • Reflections can give interesting dimensions to pictures as seen in my photos of the models in the clear cases.
  • Size does not matter, but positioning and proximity does matter. i.e. The Star Destroyer looked much larger due to the proximity and speed of filming the ship. Positioning the different models also gave a different impression of their sizes.
  • Accentuate details of an object to create a different impression. Focusing on the details of your photo’s subject is important to capture. Experiment to see how the details can give another unexpectant dimension to your picture.

Study photos to learn how to improve your skills as a photographer!

Photos Teach!

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Tantive IV Rebel Blockade Runner

21 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by untouchedtcphotos in Rebel Blockade Runner, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland, Tantive 4, Tantive IV, The Tech Museum of Innovation

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Disneyland, Princess Leia, Rebel Blockade Runner, Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars Episode 4, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars Launch Bay Disneyland, Tantive 4, Tantive IV, Tantive IV Rebel Blockade Runner, The Tech Museum in San Jose, The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Front of the Tantive IV at the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose

Very interesting info about the Tantive IV model. Tech Museum in San Jose

Side view of the Tantive IV at the Tech Museum

Upper Turbolaser Turret. Displayed at the Tech Museum

Long Range Laser Turrets Double as Escape Pods. Displayed at the Tech Museum

Full View of Princess Leia Organa’s Consular Ship at The Tech Museum

Primary Sensor Array. Tech Museum

It was so cool to see this actual model of the Tantive IV at The Tech Museum

Rear View of the Ion Turbine Engines at The Tech Museum

View of the lighted Ion Turbine Engines at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

Side view of the Tantive IV at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

Side view of the Tantive IV model and description at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

Description of the Tantive IV at The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

These photographs were shot at 2 locations – the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation in November 2013 and The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland in December 2018.

I shot many different views of the Tantive IV. I do not know if these are the same model or 2 different ones. The difference in the orange/dull red colors could be due to lighting. Also the Ion Turbine Engines at the San Jose Tech Museum were not lighted versus the Engines seen at Disneyland.

This model was built larger than the other ships. But when we saw the ship in the movies, it did not look larger due to the distance of the camera to the ship.

As noted in the above placard, Princess Leia Organa traveled onboard the Tantive IV when the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator intercepted it. Darth Vader was seeking Princess Leia not knowing she really was his daughter. He wanted to retrieve the Death Star plans which Princess Leia hid to give to the rebel commanders for their future attack.

The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s ship which she took on several missions. Many years after the end of the Galactic Civil War, a former Imperial senator found the remains of the Tantive IV decrepit in a hangar in the Yarma system. He repaired the ship and returned it to Princess Leia. The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s personal flagship.

I have a fascination with jet fighters which is why I enjoy shooting photos of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. My favorite is the Air Superiority Fighter F-15 Eagle. It had the highest kills per engagement with enemy fighters. It was fast and maneuverable with powerful jet engines.

The Tantive IV reminds me about the real jet fighters which were successful in battle. The Tantive IV had to be repaired a couple of times, but was able to serve the Princess.

Any good fighter may get damaged from the battles. But with diligent care and repairs, the fighter can rise again to succeed in battle.

Can we follow that example to be a fighter to seek victory in our personal battles – even if we may need help to be repaired?

Photos Inspire and Teach!

 

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Yoda & Darth Vader at the Tech Museum

17 Friday Jan 2020

Posted by untouchedtcphotos in Darth Vader, Jedi Training Remote, Star Wars, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Yoda

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Darth Vader, Jedi Training Remote, Star Wars, The Tech Museum in San Jose, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Yoda










Star Wars where Science meets Imagination! That billboard is cool with Yoda fighting Darth Vader to introduce this old Star Wars Exhibition in the San Jose Tech and Innovation Museum. In actuality, the two never fought as seen in the billboard.

The last battle fought by Darth Vader as a man was against Obi Wan Kenobi. Obi Wan had a better fighting position and warned Anakin Skywalker to stop fighting to save himself. But Anakin’s arrogance would not let down, and he did not heed this warning. As a result, Obi Wan swooped his light saber and severed Anakin’s two arms and legs. The last photo above is a model depicting Darth Vader being put together with new arms and legs as the Evil Emperor allows his new technological assembly.

Obi Wan Kenobi said

He is more machine than man, twisted and evil.

Yoda said to Anakin Skywalker (in The Phantom Menace) during his training which became true –

Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering.  

Do you remember how Obi Wan trained young Luke Skywalker with the Jedi Training Remote? Luke was like his father – impatient and angry. Obi Wan instructed him to let go of his anger to succeed in his training.

I can relate to Darth Vader’s anger. We may not have Darth Vader’s machinery and technology inside of us. But we could be a little more machine inside if we do not allow compassion and grace to grow instead.

When I allow anger to brew, I suffer headaches and physical pain due to this negative emotion. True success is having a spirit filled with grace.

Allow Grace and Kindness to grow instead Anger

This is something I need to learn!

Find photographs to teach us valuable lessons!

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Star Wars Tie Fighter at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose

15 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by untouchedtcphotos in Star Wars, The Tech Museum of Innovation

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Star Wars, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Episode IV, Star Wars Exhibit, Star Wars Movie Model, Star Wars Movie Prop, Star Wars Return of the Jedi, the tech museum, The Tech Museum in San Jose, The Tech Museum of Innovation, Tie Fighter

Actual Movie Filming Model

Very Cool Insight

I love models! I especially love the models used in the Star Wars movies.

Here’s a photo of the original Imperial TIE fighter from Star Wars Episodes IV-VI. It was on display at “The Exhibition” Star Wars Where Science Meets Imagination at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose. The Exhibition was from October 19, 2013 to February 23, 2014. I am hoping that there will be more Star Wars Exhibits of actual movie models and props in the future.

It is interesting to see the progression of technology for using the models with a blue background made it difficult to distinguish a blue TIE fighter. Thus the TIE fighter had to be grey to be seen with the blue backdrop. Fortunately, technology improved and the color of the TIE fighter became bluer.

Poe Dameron was excited to fly one of the new TIE fighters with Finn in the new episodes of Star Wars. He knew about this fighter’s reputation for being fast with great maneuverability. So he had been itching to try out this fighter. The Force perhaps influenced Finn to make the drastic decision to end his life as a Stormtrooper and get out with Poe. They were fortunate to come across a fighter at a convenient time during their escape from Kylo Ren who was seeking the map to find Luke Skywalker in The Force Awakens. They crash on Jakku and are thrown from the ship, before it is sucked under the sand.

I am reminded it is always a blessing to have someone to help pull you out of difficult situations. Having someone around to support you when you are down or facing a big problem is a wonderful thing. It would be pretty cool especially if they had a speedy TIE fighter to quickly fly you out.

When I was single, my good buddy was always around to go out to eat dinner with me on Valentine’s Day. He knew I would be blue about facing another Valentine’s Day as a single person. In fact a month after I met my “future” wife, I still went out on Valentine’s Day with my good buddy instead of my new girlfriend. I made the announcement I met someone. He was excited and perplexed why I was going out with him instead of her. I obviously was not thinking about my logic for this action either. I guess I am a creature of routine. Fortunately, I did make it up to my girlfriend later.

Learn to be a wingman to someone. Be consistent and faithful.

Be Speedy and Flexible to go with the flow. Life is unexpected, and we need to adapt to the changes. The TIE Fighter is known for being speedy and easily maneuverable. This is a good lesson for me since I love routine a little too much.

Stand out from the background colors – learn to distinguish yourself. I am trying to figure out how to do photography with my own style. I would like to distinguish myself as a photographer which is why I do not alter my photographs to make them brighter or colorize the images – etc.

Photos Inspire! Learn from photographs!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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