Han Solo's DL-44 Proffieboard Blaster Build
Posted by Chris Carpenter on
I just finished up building a DL-44 blaster with a Proffieboard. I'm not even sure how this project got started, which is a weird thing to say. I love Star Wars and I'm a huge Han Solo fan. If you have never researched the DL-44 props history do it. Even if you have no intention to build one its, fascinating and hilarious to follow the history of the prop. It's based on a C96 Mauser but it changes from movie to movie. My build is NOT screen accurate and is somewhere between a A New Hope hero and Star Wars a Solo Story. I love the silver tipped silencer of a New Hope and I also love the brass trim on the scope from Solo Story.
More than anything I wanted a working prop. I still have fond memories of my A New Hope Solo blaster from the 70s. In fact, I had at one point converted that to a laser tag gun. So, I decided to use a Proffieboard to simulate sound and light. I also found out that Proffieboard can be used to drive a scope display. This is the part I spent the most time on. Most people put a small 64x32 display in the scope and use a magnifying lens. I wanted a large 128x64 display. So that meant a lot of creative sanding on the scope and display to get it to fit.
Then I had to drill holes for the wires and of course holes to mount the scope. I used a Denix C96 replica and scope parts from a AW custom airsoft pistol. Again, not going for screen accurate. I had to drill the holes in the gun to mount the scope and drill more holes for the wires.
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The gun also has a small lipo battery and charge port with a plug to power it on. I added a Solo quote at boot up ,blaster sound and stun sound. I also added a second profile with a Optimus Prime blaster sound, cause why not?
Lastly after cramming all the electronics in I made a display mount. I really didn't want something metal and high tech. I always liked the kind of run down Tatooine look. Galaxy's Edge at Disney really nails this look. So I copied that sign style for the mount. I also custom engraved a serial plate for the gun in Aurebesh.
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It's not perfect and screen accurate buffs will turn up their noses but I love it. Its got good heft and I love the sounds. Just need to finish up the mount and it will be lovingly placed in my basement.
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- Tags: blaster, DL-44, electronics, gun, han solo, proffieboard, project, prop, replica, star wars