Reviewing Fanhome’s ‘1:2 Scale Star Wars Darth Vader’ Build-Up Assembly Stages 20-24

The sixth package in my Fanhome Star Wars Darth Vader 1:2 Scale model subscription* has arrived. I’m having a lot of fun with this build so far, and I want to get into the stages in this package, but first, I want to address how US tariffs on China are now affecting Fanhome’s subscription services.

I’ve talked a lot about how tariffs can and will change the comics, toys, and collectibles worlds in articles, interviews (like this one with Pawn Stars Toy Expert Steve Johnston), and podcasts. Inevitably, the tariffs have caught up with Fanhome’s business model. Below is the statement Fanhome sent out recently addressing tariffs and changes to this and future subscriptions. 

“As you know, the US administration has imposed severe tariffs on all products manufactured and imported from China. For the past few months, such tariffs have direct cost repercussions on all Fanhome collections currently sold in the United States, including the Star Wars Darth Vader collection.

“Following the recent 30% duties, and to limit the impact on our valued customers, Fanhome has decided to absorb a portion of the costs associated with the tariffs. But unfortunately, we are not able to bear all the extra costs associated with products shipped from China affected by the tariffs.

“As a consequence, starting from the Package #6 of the Star Wars Darth Vader collection we are forced to apply a tariff surcharge of $3.00 per assembly stage. However, the previous assembly stages/issues will remain at the original pre-tariff price.

“To minimize the impact of the tariffs while maintaining the schedule and pace of your current subscription, we reduced the number of assembly stages/issues per shipment starting from this package.”

What that means for our half-sized Sith Lord is that each build stage costs a few bucks more, and there’s one less build stage per monthly package. That keeps the monthly price roughly the same, but adds a couple packages to the end of the build.

What that has meant for one of the other subscriptions I’m working on is that parts cost a few bucks more, there’s one less build stage per package, and … two parts that were supposed to be in a package two months ago are still on back order, halting the build entirely until they come through. 

The good news is that Fanhome is working on it. They are making a sincere effort to keep the costs as low as possible for their subscribers while continuing to provide the service they’re known for. That all being said, let’s get to the build.

Build Stage 20

The informational booklet included with this build stage has an in-depth look at The Knights of Ren origin story and various major plot points in the Star Wars Universe that they played significant roles in. There’s also four pages on legendary bounty hunter Jango Fett.

This stage includes more padding for the inside of Lord Vader’s helmet, and six silver tubes that line the left and right sides of the lower helmet. The installation is straightforward enough, except that the pieces numbered for the right side actually belong to the left, and vice versa. 

Build Stage 21

This booklet contains information on one of my all-time favorite Star Wars characters, Darth Maul. One of the interesting things to note about this build’s accompanying literature is that it’s all been from the perspective of kayfabe, whereas the E.T. build has a lot of behind-the-scenes information and stories about the actors, special effects, scripts, etc. That means there’s no information on the amazing martial arts work that Ray Park did as Maul in Phantom Menace, or the makeup’s inspiration and application. The second profile in this month’s magazine is on the spokesperson for the Guavian Death Gang, Bala-Tik.

This is one of those build stages with tiny little parts that are barely meant for mitts the size of mine, but the milling and construction make everything fit together just as they should, gorilla fingers notwithstanding. This is the front piece of one side of Vader’s belt.

Build Stage 22

The in-universe origin and design of the TIE/DG and a feature piece on Grand Admiral Thrawn are the story elements of this stage’s magazine.

For the build, we have seven ridiculously tiny details for the top of Vader’s helmet. I have included a photo of one of the pieces in my hand to show you what I’m working with. Those of you with elven fingers will have no issues with these parts. It was considerably more difficult for me. 

On the subject of these minuscule details, I do want to point out that it would have been super easy for Fanhome to cast these as part of the helmet. By casting them on the helmet, they would have lost a significant degree of detail in the cast and paint. The fact that these are separately installed pieces really makes the intricate details pop.

Build Stage 23

This stage’s magazine has a feature on the rise of The Empire, and a group known as The Nihil, which, if I’m being honest, I’ve never heard of. They look awesome, though, like post-apocalyptic space pirates. 

This build is for the back of the neck of Vader’s helmet. This bit of the costume is all spiky and poky. I’m not sure I remember ever seeing the back of Vader’s neck on screen, but the attention paid to a part that is difficult to see when he’s in full helmet speaks to the commitment Fanhome has to detail. I do keep having to buy Allen wrenches every time this back neck gets a new stage, because it calls for the smallest wrench I’ve ever seen, and I keep losing that little toothpick. 

Build Stage 24

Malachor and Fennec Shand are the subjects of this stage’s magazine articles. 

The build stage includes a push button switch for the same neck parts we worked on last stage. The button is concealed by a little silver tube from the outside, and it’s an open/closed switch, so I’m thinking this may be the power button. That’s only a guess, though. I missed NYCC last year, so I was unable to attend the press unveiling of this model, where my colleagues got to see the completed model and experience its full functionality. 

*Fanhome provides this subscription to me free of charge for the purposes of review.