Welcome to the fourteenth issue of our regular segment, where a vintage collector is given 10 short questions to answer. The same questions will also be given to the next collector appearing on the blog.

I’m pumped to present Rebelscum old timer and Facebook newbie Darren Mcaleese to the blog. Darren is a musician from Belfast and has been collecting for a hell of a long time. Anyone who has been on Rebelscum knows him to be not only one of the most entertaining individuals in the hobby but also to be an extremely informed and helpful collector. Forums like Rebelscum aren’t as busy as they used to be but it’s true believers like Darren who continue to give them their heart and soul.

While I chose to interview Darren based on what I knew of him as a contributor to Rebelscum, you will see clearly by the photos below that he also has one hell of a vintage collection!

To the questions!

1. How long have you been collecting?

I’ve been collecting again for the last 15 years……but in truth I never really stopped….Dormant….??…Sure….but as a first generation child of the OT did any of us really quit??..When we all got too old to play with our toys, grew up, started families and began careers, I’m pretty sure vintage SW was the last thing we all thought about.

A chance meeting with a childhood SW friend after 10 years changed all that. My Star Wars brother-in-arms – Andy, got me “in” to the hobby again by selling me a modern loose collection in 2000……and online around the time of the demise of the old newsgroups. He also egged me on when I bought my first MOC 12-back (Han Solo) Andy was one of the real pioneers. Like Gus (Lopez) and (Steve) Sansweet, he was collecting during the SW dark ages (buying Bend-ems and Model kits). He also predicted the rise of SW lego (who knew??).

2. What do you collect?

Oh dear…..

Dear oh dear…!! (deep breath).

I currently have nearly all my runs intact. 12-backs, 20-backs, ESB on ESB, full ROTJ run of all characters (79) with CLEAR bubbles (well 95%) and my beloved TRILOGO run. I’ve also dabbled in foreign (Takara, Harbert,Top Toys) and have every vehicle, playset, mini-rig etc either graded or MISB….80% of my MOC are graded too. I also have a loose collection with all the big variants….oh and a stack of TRI miscards!!!…..the odd proof…..

I have every production item released since POTF2 in the 3.75 inch scale….and all the new 6 inch scaled items.

Oh and lots of SW LEGO…..lots…..

VSWC: Okay brace your badselves for some photos…..

 

3. Whats your Grail?

It’s a difficult question…..because I have most of the things I “need”.

White caped Bib (Bib Fortuna) on Walrus Man MOC??
Bald headed Emperor??
Toltoys VCJ (Vinyl Caped Jawa) on ESB???

All these items, whilst incredibly cool, don’t have the “nostalgia” element I think I need to “quest” for that “Grail Piece”…..to me they are really rare big ticket “bragging rights” pieces out of reach to most collectors.

I recently landed a piece I’ve been “sort of” semi-seriously pursuing for five years. The special offer DV tie Fighter Hanger….that’s a great piece (or it will be when it arrives….I’m looking at you Bobby Sharp!!!!). 

4. What collectors inspire you?

There’s a few…..Tim Eckholdt’s 2D run is just ridonkulous. My buddy Andy Davies has some great graded stuff…seriously top end stuff!!!…….Dave Tree….for giving so much to the hobby….and all those U.S. guys that were dumpster diving back in the day….for having the insight and slight clairvoyance to save the historical significance of our beloved toyline for future generations.

5. What’s your most embarrassing moment as a collector?

I was trying to come up with a witty anecdote to this….but as somebody kinda self-assured and usually unflappable….I was about to draw a blank….However…..at Celebration (Anaheim)  I was sitting next to Tom (igrewupstarwars) Berges. I had no idea who the guy was (in person/real life) and blissfully made polite small talk throughout dinner (even though I knew all about his website etc.) It wasn’t until weeks later I put the puzzle together with a total D’OH!!! moment. IDIOT!!!

VSWC: Here’s photographic proof of the magic moment where Darren completely disrespected poor Tom, who looks just a little bit peeved…Poor Tom. (Photo courtesy of Kevin Lentz)

Oh and I almost deafened poor Chris G (Georgoulias) and Ron S (Salvatore) in the lobby bar at C7 (I really underestimated my volume!!….I can be quite loud sometimes….as my wife is ALWAYS telling me…..) sorry boys!!

VSWC: Darren hanging out with a deafened Chris and Mattias Rendhal at C7. How excited does he look to have picked up a copy of Mattias’ ‘A New Proof’! 

6. What’s your favourite Star Wars film?

Sorry to be a cliche….ESB….the cliffhanger ending….the baddies being badass. Bounty hunters???….so much WIN.

7. What would you change about the collecting community?

The good guys are generally awesome. I’ve met some great people thanks to SW. From all walks of life, from all over the world.

But the crooks….I hate those guys. Having been “rooked” on both sides of the Atlantic by douchebag inc. Decadetoys Shaun and his UK equivalent rat bag Richard “twatface” Torres I feel qualified in my battled scarred veteran status (having been conned by both). 

8. Forums or Facebook groups?

I’ve been on Facebook five mins. RS (Rebelscum) since 2002.

But I genuinely feel connected now that I’m doing FB as well.

And it’s a bit more personal on FB (methinks). 

Both have their virtues….but forums such as RS are a civil, info based platform. FB more about quick thrills and staying in touch.

9. What Star Wars character do I most resemble?

Just asked the wife….she replied “Chewbacca……cos you are so hairy”.

…..Im gonna have to take that…..lol

10. Is there one thing collectors may not know about you?

Lol. Most know already. But for the uninitiated…..

I’m kinda a local celebrity/singer in Northern Ireland. I’ve been singing professionally for 25 years……

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kywut6kLGFw

Don’t laugh…it’s my job!!!

VSWC:  Wow very cool Darren! Great song! I did google you before the interview and I found two people with your name on linkedin.com. One of them was a ‘Steel Erector’ in the UK, which I thought sounded a little bit naughty (we already know of one male gigolo on Rebelscum) and the other was a musician from Belfast. Well whether you are a pornstar or a musician they are both pretty cool jobs and are further examples of how eclectic our collecting community is and how untrue the stereotype is about nerdy vintage Star Wars collectors (well not completely untrue….). Jokes aside I have seen your music clips on RS before and was impressed. Thanks for coming onto the blog and thanks for continuing to entertain us with your unique take on the hobby!