Adelaide's Mick Pell has spent the last three years of his spare time creating his own, fully operational, full sized replica of the comical Star Wars droid R2-D2. It's the second version of the lovable robot that he has created and will definitely not be his last.

Waiting for automation: Mick has included the thrusters inside R2-D2's legs, with plans to make them remotely pop out of its legs (ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

The brains behind the droid: The workings inside Mick's R2-D2 unit (ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

Mick's aluminium R2-D2 weighs in at a little over 100kg (ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

Mick's R2-D2 sports the scars of a few over zealous fans (ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

Is this every Star Wars fan's dream? Mick Pell with his R2-D2 creation (ABC Adelaide: Brett Williamson)

The aluminium model contains several batteries to power its movements and functions, and weighs in a little over 100 kilograms.

As part of his involvement with a local branch of the Rebel Legion, Mick often joins members for charity events, including taking R2 on trips to the Women's and Children's Hospital.

"Just to see their faces light up when they see something that they know ... the smiles on their faces, it sets you up for the day."

Starting on The Dark Side

Mick's fascination with Star Wars began in 2001 when, back in his home country of England, he discovered the costuming group 501st Legion.

Quickly purchasing a storm trooper costume, Mick became a regular at the Legion's events, and in 2005 was part of the guard of honour for the London premiere of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Among the 40 storm troopers and a Darth Vader, Mick helped to lead George Lucas and the cast into the cinema.

Mick remembers the day as an amazing experience in two completely different ways - the adulation of the crowd and the appalling weather.

"It was absolutely chucking it down," Mick recalled.

"It's hard enough to see out of a storm trooper costume as it is; with rain dripping down the lens and into the helmet you couldn't see anything and were bumping into each other."

The 501st Legion fans were suited up and on site from 5:00am and by the cast and crew arrived; the volunteers were covered in cuts and scrapes from the plastic costumes.

"By the end of it we were elated but absolutely knackered."

Building R2-D2

At the premiere, Mick saw his first R2 unit in operation.

He signed up to an online R2 builders club and set about making his first unit, a wood and plastic model which took five years to complete.

After moving to Australia in 2007 Mick decided to start his second project, his aluminium R2.

Debuting his model at local sci-fi shows, Mick said the response to the creation is incredible.

"The kids go wild for it.



"A lot of the younger kids are first off scared by him, but gradually they hear his tweeting and little chirps and then they come up close and can't leave him alone."

The adults 'kids' get just as wrapped up in the robot's antics.

Expanding the Empire

A proud owner of a C-3PO and storm trooper costume and two R2-D2 units, Mick has his eyes now shifting to his next project, reconditioning his C-3PO costume and building an R5-D4 unit.

Which one was the R5-D4?



For fans of Star Wars, it is the red and white 'Old Red' robot in Episode IV that Luke's Uncle Owen leaves at the Jawa droid auction in preference of R2-D2.

He hopes to convince his partner the next project is worthwhile.

"It's a hard sell, but we'll get there," he said with a laugh.