Category Archives: Randy Cooper

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1/48 (~28″) Millennium Falcon – Hasbro/Randy Cooper/308 Bits – Museum Conversion by Marc Elkins

Available in November 2014 exclusively at Walmart stores and Walmart.com, the massive Star Wars Hero Series Millennium Falcon (approximate retail price of $59.99) measures over two-feet-long, and features a rotating radar dish and moving cannon. Check out the gallery below for a special early look at the fastest — and biggest — hunk of junk in the galaxy.

ABOVE: The Original Toy Promotional Photos from Walmart.

The above statements and photos were shown on StarWars.com when this amazing toy was going to be made available through the U.S. based company of Walmart in 2014. This would be the first time a large scale Millennium Falcon toy would be offered that was scaled correctly to itself, not misshapen in some way for action figures to fit, and was only a few inches shy of being studio scale! It’s length being approximately 28″ makes this piece a solid 1/48 scale replica once it was remade by Marc Elkins. So many model builders and model makers grabbed up as many of these as they could, as we all knew it was a gift that was not going to be offered forever. With the price stated above, one simply could not lose. It was a great toy for everyone, and now it would make great displays for those who would turn them into something much more… like this one shown here today.

Using the main hull of the toy, Marc obtained the parts enhancement kit that Randy Cooper created just for this toy’s conversion, as well as the fantastic 3D printed cockpit from 308 Bits which fit perfectly. Lets face it, for any discerning person in this art form, a toy is still a toy until one adds the correct details and and properly weathered paint and body work that makes a museum replica magically appear. A toy is essentially a model made for playtime, no matter what age one may be. Marc worked his great talents on this piece, making it shine. From the interior and mandible lighting, to its engines… this is an amazing piece, complete with enhanced weathered damage and markings that make the Millennium Falcon truly appear. The photos show up close shots of his fine detailed work. Even the Kool Shade covered intakes are done beautifully. The turrets look beautiful, and they move appropriately. Marc even placed the barrel holes in these tiny cannon parts. As you look at the photos, you will notice that I turned the turret cannons upside down so that the top ‘bump’ part actually sits toward the canopy when the turrets are not in use. I had to do this because of the positioning of the turret mount itself. When they are placed right side up, with the ‘bump’ part on the top, the cannons sit with the barrels angled upward, taking away from the proper look of the Millennium Falcon whether in flight, or landed. Turning that part over allowed the the turret barrels to sit more correctly, and though not perfectly,… it looks marvelous. I wish to thank Marc Elkins for his amazing work, and Randy Cooper and Antonio Regidor of 308 Bits for their making enhancement parts for this magnificent piece. I also wish to thank Hasbro and Disney for making this great toy in the proper shape that we all love. Finding one of these toys is now rare… and they are very valuable on their own, especially after a conversion like this. I recommend grabbing one if you find one.

Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated

ABOVE: Kurt Kuhn with the 1:48 Millennium Falcon 

Model Information

Scale & Size: 1:48 at ~28″ Long X ~20″ Wide.

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: Marc Elkins

Blue Screen Photos by: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Parts Offered By: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits

Pattern Work: Hasbro, Randy Cooper, 308 Bits, Marc Elkins

~Hours Vested to Final Display: Unknown

2020 Estimated Value: $9,000 USD

Current Licensed Appraised Value: TBD

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Kurt Kuhn

USA

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Marc Elkins

USA

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Randy Cooper

USA

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308 Bits – Antonio Regidor

USA

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Hasbro Toys

USA

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27 Inch Cooper Rebel Blockade Runner – Tantive IV

Randy Cooper is well known in the industry as an outstanding model and prop maker for many films we have viewed. When he patterned this Tantive, I was all over it! This piece was built by R.L. Bleecker, and even utilized by Lucasfilm when they asked me to take a specific blue screen photo angle of it, in very specific lighting. They would use my photo to create a painting by Chris Trevas that would end up being a Star Wars TOPPS Card. Fantastic!

2007-08_KG_TANTIVE_000AB2016
Above: Kurt Kuhn with the 27″ Cooper Blockade Runner (Tantive IV)

Model Information

Current Owner: Kurt Kuhn of Kuhn Global, Inc.

Build Artist: R.L. Bleecker

Kit Offered By: Randy Cooper Models

Kit Pattern Work: Randy Cooper

~Hours Vested to Final Display:200

Total Vested Cost: $1,800 USD

Current Estimated Value: $2,000 USD

Current Appraised Value: $2,000 USD

Below: Chris Trevas initial sketch for the TOPPS Card

Below: The Kuhn Global Blue Screen Photo Chris Trevas requested, and utilized for the TOPPS Card

Below: The final TOPPS Card released

…Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos…