Reviewing Fanhome’s Darth Vader 1:2 Scale Build-Up Subscription Stages 65-69

As much fun as I’ve had this last week assembling more than thirty stages in my Fanhome Star Wars Darth Vader 1:2 Scale Build-Up Subscription* over the last week or so, my build stage bonanza is unfortunately over with this group of stages. I will now have to wait an entire month for the next scheduled box to arrive. 

Doing all these stages at once has made me seriously consider some of the “complete” build kits that Fanhome offers. On some select kits, you can pay the whole fee up front to receive every build stage in one shipment. That may be a way to go with a future model, just to sit down and build without the wait. 

Anyway, let’s get into the next five build stages:

Build Stage 65

The magazine for this stage has a fifth installment on Darth Maul. Have I mentioned how much I love Darth Maul? Ray Park is one of my favorite actors/stuntmen. His ability to combine stuntwork and his martial arts background to tell compelling stories without ever seeing his face is incredible. Toad in X-Men, The Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow, Snake Eyes in GI Joe … The dude is always under prosthetics, heavy make-up, or a mask. So, yeah. Darth Maul. Rad. I’m for it. 

The 65th build stage involves assembling the “mobile bar” for the right thigh. This is one piece of the right hip joint. 

Build Stage 66

Stage 66’s literature has pieces on Savage Opress and Lady Proxima. 

The build stage requires assembly of the “rotating bar” of the right thigh and attaching it to the previously assembled “mobile bar.” These joints will make up the right hip, allowing the right leg to be posed, but also providing enough friction for the model to stay in position once posed.

Build Stage 67

The 67th magazine has a third part on Asaji Ventress and a backup piece on Dr. Aphra. 

This build stage connects the front cover of the right thigh to the hip joint I just finished assembling and then attaching the front thigh cover to the back cover and knee joint. 

Build Stage 68

This magazine has a second installment on Barriss Offee. The backup piece is on Jod Na Nawood. 

The installation attaches the right calf to the knee. 

Build Stage 69

Articles in this installment are on Sith Wayfinders and Crimson Dawn.

The last build stage in this set, and the last for a while, involves assembling the joint for the right ankle and attaching it to the bottom of the right calf. 

At the end of this session, I have Lord Vader’s right and left arms, complete with two sets of hands. I have his helmet and shoulder armor. I have a belt, a lightsaber, and most of the right leg. Laying all this stuff out on the ground, it’s pretty easy to see just how big this model is. Three and a half feet tall is massive for a display piece. This build is going to be bonkers when it’s completed. 

*Fanhome provides this subscription free of charge for the purpose of review.