UKHistory's Star Wars Toy Museum

[UKHistory]

Hey Guys,

I have not been much for documenting my figures or dioramas over the years. For 30 years we lived in an apartment in DC and that wasn't conducive long-term diorama setups. Individual figure displays were limited and a bit of a struggle with family, pets and everything else in limited space.

That changed in 2025 when we moved to my new Old Kentucky Home. I am still in the development set up stage, but my entire basement is dedicated to Star Wars toys from the beginning today. I will be adding pictures and status updates as we go in this thread. Many of you have inspired me over the years. I have purchased custom pieces from some of you as well. I am excited to show you what I am doing and where I am going with this.

First I will share two images that welcome you to my Star Wars museum.

 

[UKHistory]

Here are two of the oldest pieces in the collection that adorn the entrance way. I just framed my original Star Wars early bird stand and my Sears Cantina playset. These are the originals. The duplicates don’t have any peg holes or pegs. And apparently there is even a picture of my reflection as well.

 

[UKHistory]

The museum will be as immersive as possible. Every conceivable inch of space will attempt to place the visitor (virtual or in person) in the midst of the Star Wars universe. I am working on just about every major location from Star Wars through the years. Where that might not be practical, I am trying to create events that say took place on Gorman and placed them on Coruscant. There is a little bit of fan fiction in here too. And what kid of the 1980s limited his collection to just Star Wars. You will see Battle Star, Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, Clash of the Titans, Black Hole many of the more recent 1/18 on-line toy builders too. First let's look at my efforts for Coruscant.

 

[UKHistory]

On top of the Coruscant wall paper will be clear acrylic shelves that will hold air speeders and spaceships that will dot the city-wide sky line. The vehicles will include various scales to depict forced perspective and some vehicles from other syfy properties. The Men in Black, Fantastic 4, some chap Mei and a few various scales of non 1/18 will be on hand as well.

 

[UKHistory]

When I say immersive I mean it. At the base of the Coruscant wall paper I have two electrical plugs. I purchased tie fighter wing outlet covers. Granted the ties are low flying but they are in the air. Other walls will include other Star Wars related electrical switch covers etc. where there is a light switch a floating shelf of black or white will be affixed to the wall under it for more figure space options.

Etsy has a variety of sellers with different spaces themed covers and I am adding several. The whole basement is a museum so every inch is to represent the galaxy far, far away.

 

[UKHistory]

The next piece I want to show you is the closest to complete piece I have and it is still a WIP. Here is my interpretation of the Galactic Senate. This old curio cabinet was a family item that I had always thought would be an excellent piece for the Senate. I painted it and it near the doorway to the museum. I had planned on it being a Coruscant. But I ran out of room. So I used what I consider to be the opening salvo of the Clone Wars as the first piece of the museum.

In addition to immersive wall paper backgrounds and the Hasbro and custom playlets, I will be adding acrylic framed McQuarrie concept art from Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica and other SW related art where appropriate.

 

[UKHistory]

Not visible in this picture are the Senate chamber pods that will be sitting on the top ledge. A combo of old school figs, customs, and Episode I figures will be in the Senate. I initially painted the senate that dark blue gray. However, I realized the dark blues and maroons of so many dignitaries would be camouflaged so I repainted the inside a ghostly white. In the middle right corner you can see a potential wall background just to give the scene more depth. I will also add cardboard stock images of the Senate chamber pods.

Not a part of the Senate but a key piece of the beginning is the beginning of the interior of Theed palace. I assembled three faux marble wooden desks that will run the length of the back wall. The queen's starship, the old Theed playlets and custom wall pieces will be added on that level. Exterior views of Theed using Harry Potter Popco playlets will be on that level. Above the interior palace scene will be a victory parade showcasing the Gungun army, their beasts and marching clone troops. I am taking a little artistic license in the displays and putting my own take on the prequels.

Last thing I will show you as my initial work on cloud city.

 

[UKHistory]

For the city in the clouds I am using this l shaped corner book case that is about six feet tall.

 

[UKHistory]

I first assembled this book case and then added in various custom pieces I have bought. On the top level, you can see a vase, odd circular piece and an old rocket launcher toy from the 1970s. I will have added a parked cloud car but will have additional cloud cars on clear floating shelves too.

Near the bottom you may see a red wall. This was just a school locker shelf that I bought that will be part of the Bespin interrogation room. Clearly a carbon freeze chamber and Luke vs Vader duel scene will have to be built. Much more to show and certainly more to build out. This is a labor of love and a dream come true for me.

If any of these images inspire or motivate you to do more and build greater things, it is my pleasure. So many of you like Chewie, Darth Sidious, Empire Toy Works and countless others have spurred me on.

Also I know the costs and the limited availability can get a person down. But I hope you can take a moment and feel the joy and excitement that these toys, many of the toys we already have in our collections bring us each day.

take care

 

[UKHistory]

New addition as assemble tables, layout Environments, and unfortunately decide what I need to sell. Bought a few too many things based on the size of my basement.

I am using a ping table with one half the battle of Hoth and another a desert planet but not Tatooine. More to come Naboo, Mustafar, Dagobaugh, Yavin, the Death Star and more. If I can get the space.

 

[YAK_Chewie]

This is truly enjoyable to get to see photos of and the stories behind some of the pieces are a fun read. Congratulations on being able to display your collection in such an amazing way, I look forward to seeing more of this journey unfold!

😉

 

[UKHistory]

When you more stuff than a basement can hold, you move boxes and bags around quite a bit as you get set up. Using a long walking closet to house Mustafar and perhaps a dead mining ⛏️ planet. (Think the moon but brown with brown coral-like mountains.

Will be putting those scenes together soon

Schleich and a batcave join Mustafar as the scenery.

I have lumps of coal and jet black slate flat coasters to serve as small rock islands surrounded by lava. Pics to come.

 

[UKHistory]

Well time for another brief update. As we near October and get ready for Halloween, I thought we take a tour of Star Wars version of Hell—Mustafar.

Initially I planned this narrow long walk in closet to be where I would showcase the death Star. The narrow walls are like. A trench and there were possibilities.

But the museum is like a puzzle. I have a finite amount of space and the basement’s architecture forces my hand in how things get displayed. So it will be a mix of Mustafar and the Ralph McQuarrie concept of the Emperor’s palace that was in the Bowles of what would be Coruscant but was known early as as Abadon.

 

[UKHistory]

I have a long wooden desk painted black when we were moving. Apartment living can provide some really neat pieces of furniture if you check. With a gaming mat that looks like a black rock surrounded by lava as its ground, I added the Mustafar playset and a massive bat cave playset I got in 2001 or 2002. The gothic features really are something from Coruscant and are superb for my final confrontation between light side and dark.

I will add in volcano playsets from Schleich too.

I will add a volcano mural to the walls. And add in shelving. I am taking advantage of existing shelving already installed. And will modify it To be part of an Imperial complex.

Note a a 1985 mining atop one of the key battle ground areas. I added a half circle table I bought and assembled from hobby lobby. Will add another one for action to take place behind the throne.

You might be able to see that I have one grey wooden shelf as an observation platform. I placed a door on the back to give the illusion. Of even more depth to the scene

All Sith other than Maul will be on hand. As will be my royal guards, sequel trilogy guards, the Kir Kanos and other royal guard candidates plus the Dark empire Atha Prime baddies too.

A labor of love but a real blast.

When complete, I will have
Naboo—Theed palace and victory parade
Republicans Senate
Bespin
Dagobaugh
Tatooine. Mos Eisley, Lars homestead
Jabba palade
pit of carcopn
Judland wastes
Sarlac Pitt
Hoth
Dagobaugh
Death Star I
Aduba Iii
Coruscant
Multiple scenes there. Slums, diner, space port, Palpatine Plaza and protest
Cloud city
Han Solo at Stars End
Great Space Train Robbery which is a nod to Solo movie
Genesis
Yavin
Endor