Some parts on the pack are made from scratch, others are real world found items.
The bumper bugs me as a scratch built part because it’s just so intricate. The level of detail on this one piece alone matches the whole pack. To me, it just screams a pre-existing real world part. I mean even the Booster frame comes from a rubber kitchen mat.
My guess is that it would be something along the lines of a transmission support strut, that had been cast as a resin piece for props. But even if that’s true, which one?
That’s a fun question to ask. I’m sure the more seasoned forum members have a good idea of what it could have come from, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was built just for the packs. Props in that era were crafted with so much passion and detail.
That’s the one aspect about this movie I wish we’d see more detail of: the creation of the props. We’ve seen some insight and read in general about the prop-making process. I wish the prop builders for the movie would be willing to chat with some Ghostheads for a while.
I agree, the bumper has to be a real world part. I think it is something which was already ancient by 1983, a part for some long out-of-production car or piece of farm equipment. Another guess I’ve seen tossed around, which I think has some merit, is that it’s a bracket for a vintage theatre stage light:
I think you guys may be on the right track with this.
In looking at reference pictures of the packs and the bumper itself, it really does resemble a “Trunnion swivel” bracket. Perhaps this was from a large spotlight or theater light? The legs may have been cut down to fit the pack, but the shape of the bumper, along with the larger square center with hole in the middle kind of suggests this. At least to me. Thoughts?
Just think, if we could find the right model, we might be able to cast it directly, instead of sculpting. Or even go for a full out metal version for the keen
We explored this avenue years ago. The general consensus was that it was indeed a yolk from a stage light, but no unit had the exact dimensions or characteristics of the bumper that we found.
Even more unusual would be a yolk that is asyematrical in design. It’s possible, however unlikely.
I always wondered if it might not be a bracket for a military spot light from a navy ship. I could see that being an aluminum or Magnesium swivel part which would explain the design.
Does anyone have some reference pics from the infamous pack 4? The midgrade pack from GB2 that was bought from an auction, and dissected? Or am I thinking of something else?
If the studio packs still had a serial model number on the bumper, that could truly help in tracking it down. The sad thing is, it would probably be under the blue sticker, or inside the curve making it difficult to see.
The bumper is not perfectly symmetrical. When I look at Stephan’s plans, he shows how one side is recessed, and the blue sticker side has a flat angle to it, almost as if a handle or something can be screwed onto it. Not sure, the sticker might be covering screw holes or not