Artifact ID: Lyra Erso communicator

As explained in my earlier post of 24 June, I’m approaching the artifacts of Rogue One at arm’s length and with a grain of salt, under the understanding that the film is a materially-correct but narratively inaccurate holodrama. In this post, we’re looking at the belt communicator of the character ‘Lyra Erso’.
(Credit for successful detective work and identification goes to Rebel Legion forum member ‘the.rebel.agent’.)   What did it start its life as?

the.rebel.agent was able to determine that this is a modified Panasonic brand transistor radio/camera model C-R2. These were released in 1979, made in Japan, and were also sold under the brand National:

The original radio had approximate dimensions 190 x 32 x 78 mm/7.5 x 1.3 x 3.1 inch and weighed .320 kg/11.3 oz.
As the ID’er deduced, the original radio-camera (or a cast of one) was cut down to size (from approximately 7.5 to 5.6 inches in length), and then glued back together before final painting and weathering:

(While we’re looking at this close-up of the communicator, put your living-history-researcher goggles on and notice the three items of clothing. Note how each has a different distinct texture—the brown jacket almost looks like waffle-weave; the dull red overskirt resembles heavy crinkle gauze, and the beige underskirt is horizontally lined, similar to ripstop cotton. Too many cosplayers with otherwise great costumes fall victim to lightweight, textureless broadcloth…the use here of varied materials adds extra visual interest and contributes to the impression of an authentic setting.

Back on track: this is a great use of an item from the original film’s period (the late 1970s), which helps create a sense of aesthetic continuity—a necessity, if the audience is to buy into the Galactic Civil War setting of Rogue One. While any folks interested in copying this Face Character’s exact prop will focus on tracking down this specific radio/camera, for our purposes it is good to remember that the Galaxy is a BIG place, and so just as in real life, multiple competing devices surely exist that perform the same function – it would be foolish to think that this is the ONLY model of communicator in existence (more on this later)! Therefore, we can (and should) take this as an example to base similar—but original—props on. Practice your ‘greeblie eye’ skills and comb your local thrift stores: not necessarily for this particular model , but for similar items (possibly of the same vintage) that have the same qualities that make them appropriate for prop-building: a degree of asymmetry, some visual interest elements, a pushable button or two, an interestingly-patterned speaker grid, etc.
Do you have any similar original items kicking around in your prop-making box? Join the conversation and share your finds in the Star Wars Living History facebook group!

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