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chrome darth vader poly bags still to be found?

dolphins79dolphins79 Member Posts: 29
in Collecting
Are there still sealed boxes with the chrome invaders still in them? What were the odds of finding one then or now? If you bought enough unopened sets from that year could you still snag one?
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Comments

  • CCCCCC Member Posts: 20,526
    Chances are there will be some unopened boxes somewhere. Just as stock from 2001 can sometimes be found sitting at original price in a small independent family run store in a backwater somewhere, there will be some Chrome Vaders sitting on a shelf somewhere. There will also be unopened boxes in people's collections - some where the collector knows they have Chrome Vader (by weighing the box), others unknown.

    The odds of finding them are small, especially if buying from a reseller, since most will know about him and weigh the box. The odds of finding one are very small, smaller than when they were on general resale.

    If you bought enough unopened sets then you would find one, by definition. Because if you bought a lot of sets and didn't find one, then you have not bought enough. If you find one, then you have bought enough and you have also found one.
  • ZonZon Member Posts: 213
    If you are curious about a box, you can always weigh it. This would mean you might have to dig a little bit on the internet to confirm the weight of the set though.
  • AdelecAdelec Member Posts: 171
    I have an unopened #8038 Battle of Endor, which I have weighed, and it does seem to be heavier than it should be, so there may well be a Chrome Darth Vader in it. Question is do I open it to see, or keep it sealed?
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,789
    edited July 2014
    Adelec said:

    I have an unopened #8038 Battle of Endor, which I have weighed, and it does seem to be heavier than it should be, so there may well be a Chrome Darth Vader in it. Question is do I open it to see, or keep it sealed?

    I thought I got a box with a giveaway figure in it. I had a couple of of the same sets and weighed them and one was heavier by about half an ounce. I opened it and there was no Vader in it though. All parts were there, but no Vader. So one has to wonder if TLC realized people could weigh boxes and purposefully added more weight to some (in the form of cardboard flyers, or offers)
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    edited July 2014
    Here is some useful information I found and posted on another thread related to the Chrome Darth Vader:

    Sets potentially containing a Chrome Darth Vader:
    7748 Corporate Alliance Tank Droid
    7749 Echo Base (Premiers 6/09)
    8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack
    8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack
    8016 Hyena Droid Bomber
    8017 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter
    8018 Armored Assault Tank (AAT)
    8019 Republic Attack Shuttle
    8036 Separatists Shuttle
    8037 Anakin's Y-Wing Starfighter
    8038 The Battle of Endor
    8039 Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser

    Statistics
    Weight: 0.2 ounces (approximately 5.7 grams) with polyester bag.
    Pieces: 7 (1 Head, 1 Helmet, 1 Torso, 1 Pair of Legs, 1 Cape, 1 Lightsaber Hilt, and 1 Translucent Lightsaber Blade).
    Retail Value: Approximately $70 - $120 (probably higher now)
    Odds: 1 to 300

    Now to figure out how to find one without actually opening the box. Weighing works fine for smaller battlepack sets, but I think the larger sets will be much more difficult.
    LegoboyPitfall69chuckpkiki180703Jackad7
  • bobabricksbobabricks Member Posts: 1,842
    To add on to this, what's the chance of still finding a chrome C-3P0 in a 2007 set?
  • goshe7goshe7 Member Posts: 515
    madforLEGO said:



    I thought I got a box with a giveaway figure in it. I had a couple of of the same sets and weighed them and one was heavier by about half an ounce. I opened it and there was no Vader in it though. All parts were there, but no Vader. So one has to wonder if TLC realized people could weigh boxes and purposefully added more weight to some (in the form of cardboard flyers, or offers)

    I wouldn't necessarily think it was purposeful. But the weight variation was observed during the initial promo and hunt. The most common explanation was variation in the manufactured stock and the moisture absorbed by the cardboard. The latter was much more readily used to explain why one person would measure several sets in the same ballpark, and another person located in another region would again measure several sets and come up with a noticeably different "typical" weight.
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    edited July 2014
    The smaller the set, the easier it will be to find. There are YouTube videos out there showing people bringing scales into stores and culling out the sets with the Chrome Vader sets. In these videos, the person only searched the small sets...most likely due to the precision (or lack thereof) of their scale.

    Finding one (by weight; not opening the box) in large sets like Battle of Endor or even medium sets like Darth Vader's Tie Fighter is almost statistically impossible due to the variations caused by inserts or even extra pieces. If you're going to search the larger sets, it would be best to compare the weight of two identical sets with identical seal codes. At least this way you'll be comparing "apples to apples," or more accurately, "inserts/spare parts to inserts/spare parts." Keep in mind that we're only talking about 5.7 grams here...
  • fizicystfizicyst Member Posts: 72
    Hmm...I still have a sealed Assassin Droid Battle Pack that has a mass of 114.3 g. That is 5.8 g more than what is listed on Bricklink. I also have a sealed Battle of Endor, but never measured its mass because I didn't even realize it might have a chrome Vader in there! I might have a Hyena Bomber or Corporate Tank Alliance Droid, too.
  • luckyrussluckyruss Member Posts: 872
    ^ you have to open that one - it's not like the set is worth anything sealed!
    Jackad7
  • dolphins79dolphins79 Member Posts: 29
    Ill buy that unopened battle pack from you...for a fair price...just for a chance :)
    bobabrickskiki180703Jackad7
  • Rainstorm26Rainstorm26 Member Posts: 1,013
    Did they include any of the chrome figs (C3P0 or Darth Vader) in the UCS MF?
  • legomattlegomatt Member Posts: 2,543
    edited July 2014
    OH MY WOOOOORD.

    I didn't know 8038's might have chrome vaders... I have two #8038 's in my bedroom!

    I bought them to do a bigger battle scene when Tesco was selling them off... I never got round to it... they're both still sealed!!
    I might have had a chrome vader in one all this time, and never have known!!!
    I think I'm going to explode with xceituemienwt !!!1eleven1!

    Agh, I'm so excited, I can't even spell the words anymore... :oD

    (Tomorrow, i open them both...)
    GothamConstructionCoGuroooLego_Starkiki180703Jackad7
  • rancorbaitrancorbait Member Posts: 1,842
    ^ Or you could weigh them and keep them both sealed.
  • legomattlegomatt Member Posts: 2,543
    ^ Not me. I'll be nuking those boxes from orbit... it's the only way to be sure. ;oP
    Pitfall69Gurooominicoopers11bobabrickskiki180703Jackad7
  • rancorbaitrancorbait Member Posts: 1,842
    Lol
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    I hope you get one. What's Endor without a brooding Darth Vader!
    legomattkiki180703
  • binaryeyebinaryeye Member Posts: 1,831
    Farmer_John said:

    What's Endor without a brooding Darth Vader!

    Yub Nub!
    legomattbkprkiki180703
  • scrumperscrumper Member Posts: 317
    Fingers crossed for 2 chrome vaders. :o)
    legomattkiki180703
  • jediami65jediami65 Member Posts: 474
    I have to go weigh about 20 boxes :-O, anyone have a mobile X-ray machine!!
  • Captain_EyebrowCaptain_Eyebrow Member Posts: 177
    I have an unopened Battle of Endor, its lurking in one of my many Really Useful Boxes filled with LEGO. It sounds like a project for rainy day to root it out and weight it!
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    ^According to my calculations, the Battle of Endor weighs roughly 1540 grams. If the Darth Vader Chrome set only weighs 5.7 grams, my calculations indicate that the Darth Chrome set is only 0.37% of the total set's weight. I'm not sure your scale will have that kind of accuracy.
  • Pitfall69Pitfall69 Member Posts: 11,454
    legomatt said:

    ^ Not me. I'll be nuking those boxes from orbit... it's the only way to be sure. ;oP

    Any "Aliens" reference gets a +1 :)

    legomattjadedanckiki180703
  • rancorbaitrancorbait Member Posts: 1,842
    Okay, so here's the deal. Everyone who has any of those 2009 sets send them to me for checking and I will get back to you on weather or not your set contains a chrome Darth Vader :oD
    legomattminicoopers11bobabrickskiki180703
  • LegoboyLegoboy Member Posts: 8,827
    jediami65 said:

    I have to go weigh about 20 boxes :-O, anyone have a mobile X-ray machine!!

    This will make you laugh.

    http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/comment/188022
    kiki180703Jackad7
  • jediami65jediami65 Member Posts: 474
    Legoboy said:


    This will make you laugh. http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/comment/188022


    LMAO...that is pretty good thanks
  • jediami65jediami65 Member Posts: 474
    rancorbait said:

    Okay, so here's the deal. Everyone who has any of those 2009 sets send them to me for checking and I will get back to you on weather or not your set contains a chrome Darth Vader :oD

    Sure where should I send them... ;-)
  • legomattlegomatt Member Posts: 2,543
    Farmer_John said:

    I hope you get one. What's Endor without a brooding Darth Vader!

    scrumper said:

    Fingers crossed for 2 chrome vaders. :o)

    ^ For a fleeting moment of crazed excitement, I allowed myself that very thought.

    And now the reveal... (actually, it's not worth a big build up)...

    Endors opened: Two
    Vaders found: Nil

    Battle of Endor goes through to the final. :o)
    joel4motionGothamConstructionCokiki180703Jackad7
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,696
    I went through 6 boxes of #8015 on a chance a couple of months ago and found one after weighing them on my scale. So have some hope that you do find one. I have since found 3 #7749 that I will weigh and 1 more #8015 to check and I know I have several #8014 to check , I just have to find out where I put them.
  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    oldtodd33 said:

    I went through 6 boxes of #8015 on a chance a couple of months ago and found one after weighing them on my scale. So have some hope that you do find one. I have since found 3 #7749 that I will weigh and 1 more #8015 to check and I know I have several #8014 to check , I just have to find out where I put them.

    Okay...it's time to get serious!

    I think everyone should weigh their sets and post the set number with its respective weight in grams. If everyone provides the weights for individual sets, it could be easier to identify a set containing a Chrome Vader without opening it. Just a thought...
  • Renegade007cjhRenegade007cjh Member Posts: 696
    Dagnabbit, I sold a sealed #7749 on eBay a couple of years ago for about £20... didn't realise it *could* have had a Chrome Vader in it... oh, well I still have a couple more tucked away somewhere, so fingers crossed (when I find them).
  • Rainstorm26Rainstorm26 Member Posts: 1,013
    Are there any sets in which the Chrome Darth Vader would weigh 27% of the set weight?
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,789
    Renegade007cjh said:

    Dagnabbit, I sold a sealed #7749 on eBay a couple of years ago for about £20... didn't realise it *could* have had a Chrome Vader in it... oh, well I still have a couple more tucked away somewhere, so fingers crossed (when I find them).

    I'll just add this. I had multiple copies of #7749, one was heavier and I opened it and no Chrome Vader.. Just because a box weighs a bit more does not guarantee a Vader.
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    edited July 2014
    madforLEGO said:

    Renegade007cjh said:

    Dagnabbit, I sold a sealed #7749 on eBay a couple of years ago for about £20... didn't realise it *could* have had a Chrome Vader in it... oh, well I still have a couple more tucked away somewhere, so fingers crossed (when I find them).

    I'll just add this. I had multiple copies of #7749, one was heavier and I opened it and no Chrome Vader.. Just because a box weighs a bit more does not guarantee a Vader.
    When you say "heavier," does that mean you compared all the copies you had and opened the ones that showed a slight difference in weight when compared to the others?

    I have 45 possible sets that contain a Vader, but I'm willing to gamble on sets #7749 qty 9 and #8014 qty 19. These quantities give me a better chance in finding one when each is compared when weighing. Sounds like a weekend project.

  • legomattlegomatt Member Posts: 2,543
    edited July 2014
    Well if anyone does suddenly unearth an unexpected and previously unaccounted for treasure trove of Chrome Vaders amongst their piles of old stock, i'll happily take one off your hands.

    I'll even pay you for the set... that's what it was worth, right? ;o)
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    ^^
    Something about your picture/avatar that freaks me out.
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,789
    1265 said:

    madforLEGO said:

    Renegade007cjh said:

    Dagnabbit, I sold a sealed #7749 on eBay a couple of years ago for about £20... didn't realise it *could* have had a Chrome Vader in it... oh, well I still have a couple more tucked away somewhere, so fingers crossed (when I find them).

    I'll just add this. I had multiple copies of #7749, one was heavier and I opened it and no Chrome Vader.. Just because a box weighs a bit more does not guarantee a Vader.
    When you say "heavier," does that mean you compared all the copies you had and opened the ones that showed a slight difference in weight when compared to the others?

    I have 45 possible sets that contain a Vader, but I'm willing to gamble on sets #7749 qty 9 and #8014 qty 19. These quantities give me a better chance in finding one when each is compared when weighing. Sounds like a weekend project.

    I had 4 Hoth sets, and 3 were identical in weight, and one was a bit heavier.
    So did I have 20? No, but I think 4, where 3 are identical in weight, was enough for me.
  • luckyrussluckyruss Member Posts: 872
    One thing to think about on the #8038 sets is whether you have the 2009 version. If I've got my dates right I recall this one selling out at Christmas 2009 and reverting to "sold out" at [email protected] (with big aftermarket jump in December), they then brought it back in from about mid Jan 2010 onwards. I suspect none of this later production run would have the Vader in it.

    I have two sealed but they must be from the second production run; I've opened my 2009 copy but no luck!
  • LuccideLuccide Member Posts: 42
    It should have a label saying anniversary edition if it has a chance of containing a vader fig
    Farmer_Johnkiki180703
  • OUWxGuesserOUWxGuesser Member Posts: 92
    Willing to part with a #7749 for a price? Been meaning to find one for my Hoth shelf display :) I found portions of the set in a craigslist find.
  • rancorbaitrancorbait Member Posts: 1,842
    1265 said:

    ^^
    Something about your picture/avatar that freaks me out.

    Are you talking to yourself? :o/
  • 12651265 Member Posts: 1,156
    ^^
    You are beautiful!!!

  • Farmer_JohnFarmer_John Member Posts: 2,405
    Luccide said:

    It should have a label saying anniversary edition if it has a chance of containing a vader fig

    I'm trying to remember if the small sets have the "anniversary edition" on them. I know some of the larger sets do.
  • LuccideLuccide Member Posts: 42
    i know 7749 did as i just bought one lol
  • ZonZon Member Posts: 213
    edited July 2014
    Farmer_John said:

    Luccide said:

    It should have a label saying anniversary edition if it has a chance of containing a vader fig

    I'm trying to remember if the small sets have the "anniversary edition" on them. I know some of the larger sets do.
    I don't think the battle packs did, not on the front anyway. I don't have any to look at though.
  • jediami65jediami65 Member Posts: 474
    Well weighed 1 each of the sets below, base on the weight I am guessing that #7749 #8015, #8038, #8019 have the best chances of having the Vader Poly: weights in lbs my weight vs Brickset db weight.

    7749 Echo Base (Premiers 6/09) - .123lbs vs .75lbs
    8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack - .4lbs vs .24lbs
    8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack - .38lbs vs .22lbs
    8017 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter - 1.28lbs vs 1.21lbs
    8019 Republic Attack Shuttle - 2.82lbs vs 2.47lbs
    8036 Separatists Shuttle - .156lbs vs 1.04lbs
    8038 The Battle of Endor - 3.69lbs vs 3.39lbs

    Now to open or not :-0
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,789
    edited July 2014
    jediami65 said:

    Well weighed 1 each of the sets below, base on the weight I am guessing that #7749 #8015, #8038, #8019 have the best chances of having the Vader Poly: weights in lbs my weight vs Brickset db weight.

    7749 Echo Base (Premiers 6/09) - .123lbs vs .75lbs
    8014 Clone Walker Battle Pack - .4lbs vs .24lbs
    8015 Assassin Droids Battle Pack - .38lbs vs .22lbs
    8017 Darth Vader's TIE Fighter - 1.28lbs vs 1.21lbs
    8019 Republic Attack Shuttle - 2.82lbs vs 2.47lbs
    8036 Separatists Shuttle - .156lbs vs 1.04lbs
    8038 The Battle of Endor - 3.69lbs vs 3.39lbs

    Now to open or not :-0

    What is more likely? You have a Vader in each box you have listed, or someone's scale is off? Plus there is always the chance a box is slightly heavier due to LEGO adding in some extra promotional material that is likely a cardboard club registration card, or another catalog. I believe there are different box types for at least the Hoth Play sets. I have ones with perforated box tabs (to basically rip the box open) vs boxes with tape seals not sure if there are differences in those boxes (have not weighed those).
    Again just because their is a difference in the weight does not guarantee a Vader. So open if you must, but do not expect to see Vader.
    So I guess the other thing to ask is who has a Chrome Vader they can weight to see how heavy the actual figure is in its poly?
    That may give you a better idea of how much over the 'standard' likely means a Vader is present?

    I guess you can also always find someone who does not mind misusing x-ray machinery to check each box.
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,696
    @madforLEGO The weight is posted above by @farmer_John. The weight @jediami65m has posted for her #7749 has a disparaging difference compared to the Brickset weight, 1/8 of a pound vs. 3/4 of a pound is huge. Something is wrong there, possibly a typo.
  • monkeyhangermonkeyhanger Member Posts: 3,169
    I'd be looking to weigh to accuracy of at least 0.1g rather than talking in fractions of pounds (1/16 of a pound is a whopping 28.4g).
  • oldtodd33oldtodd33 Member Posts: 2,696
    ^ It is better to weigh in grams, they are a much smaller measure, therefore much more accurate.
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