R2 and R5 variations

[e30318is]

Hi, I remember reading about there being two date stamps for R5 D4- 1977 and 1978. I have also heard about large "head" and small "head" variants. Are these linked to the datestamp and are they noticeable?
Secondly whilst on the subject of Droids, I understand there are different shades of blue of R2 D2 solid dome, including an early bird dark blue? I came across this and wondered what the hell he was talking about:

http://threads.rebelscum.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=4390966&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&fpart=1#4390966

Also is the Taiwan variant more sort after than Hong Kong and why is it sort after?!

 

[PGowdy]

Yeah i've heard of the dark blue R2. It's rarer than the normal one and it refers to the blue on the legs and "dome" rather than the decal sticker.
Don't know anything about those dates.

 

[e30318is]

I could be talking a load of rubbish about the dates on the R5.....maybe I dreamt it :roll:

 

[aussiejames]

I could be talking a load of rubbish about the dates on the R5.....maybe I dreamt it :roll:

your dream IS real, 77 screw with what looks like a washer underneath, 78 big screw & yes there is a head/neck difference. I'll find pics tonight. Bryan (jedi534) posted them somewhere, I just can't find them.

 

[Jedi534]

I could be talking a load of rubbish about the dates on the R5.....maybe I dreamt it :roll:

your dream IS real, 77 screw with what looks like a washer underneath, 78 big screw & yes there is a head/neck difference. I'll find pics tonight. Bryan (jedi534) posted them somewhere, I just can't find them.

Here's the pic...

 

[e30318is]

Thanks buddy- I knew I had seen it somewhere! It's a subtle difference... Which version is harder to find, 78 or 79 and small or big lid?! That's some more figures to buy then!!!!

 

[aussiejames]

Thanks buddy- I knew I had seen it somewhere! It's a subtle difference... Which version is harder to find, 78 or 79 and small or big lid?! That's some more figures to buy then!!!!

a 79 will be bloody hard to find but 77 & 78 are easy

 

[Jedi534]

Thanks buddy- I knew I had seen it somewhere! It's a subtle difference... Which version is harder to find, 78 or 79 and small or big lid?! That's some more figures to buy then!!!!

The small head is marked "77" and the big head is marked "78". Neither were harder to find than the other and I do not believe the dates have anything to do with the head/neck variations. So I ASSUME, either variant can be found with either date. I may be wrong. It will take multiple reports of who has what to verify if the dates correspond to the heads.