Wax Sculpting for Black Bespin Guard Head
What you see here is the original wax sculpt that was used to generate the head of the back Bespin Security Guard action figure. The wax used was rather white in color, so it was kind of hard to photograph. Still, I think you can see the fine detail that the sculptor brought to this piece, as well as its slightly larger size relative to the hardcopy seen to its right.

Here you see two much nicer photos--ones that actually do the piece justice. If you look closely, you can see the pencil-drawn parting line which bisects the head. You may also be able to make out the greenish residue of mold release on the back of the head.

The second photo shows the back of the head. You can clearly see the curly hair, a detail not so evident on the production figure, as well as the lower part of the neck. At some point, the plastic disk that was incorporated into the neck joint was broken off, taking some of the wax with it.

It's a sad fact that many of the original wax sculpts created for Kenner's Star Wars action figure line exist today only in a partial state. This may well be the only part of the black Bespin Guard sculpt that has survived.

Description by: Ron Salvatore
Photo: Ron Salvatore
From the collection of: Ron Salvatore
Country:United States
Film:Empire Strikes Back
Licensee:Kenner
Year:1982
Category:Prototypes / Action Figure Related


  


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