WARNING: This long-ass post is mostly a rant with a lot of out-of-body thoughts.
Who you gonna call?
By now, anyone who loves Ghostbusters would have some form of memorabilia, toy, customer and even the prop replica. For me, it started with a longing for the Ghost Trap. Because I loved the idea of creating a dustbin with moving lids which can be activated by cable. Ha ha. At that time, in the 90’s it was not possible to do such things since I know nothing about servo control (even now). Moreover, infra-red sensing dustbins which welcomes you when you go near it is so modernly passé.
But yeah, that was my plan. Then I noticed the Proton Packs which at that time, was just some red lights and a dispenser type of hose that shoots reverse yellow streams (hey, I don’t pay attention to details unless I am very interested in it). By the turn of the Century, I finally bagged a 1/25 scale Ecto-1 model, which I did not when I was studying in Scotland. By now, I am pretty much starting to get my feet wet. But not the theme song.
And then I realised, the cumbersome looking black backpack, the Proton Pack, is awesome… (except for the theme song.)
Who made your Proton Pack?
There is no better way to show that you’re a huge Ghostbusters Fan by displaying the Proton Pack. And there is no better way to show that you’re a real hard-core Ghostbusters Fan by displaying various screen accurate Proton Pack replicas as ‘used’ by each Ghostbusters Character. (Yeah, each pack has their own specific details and subtle lighting effects). And… OK, I’m going to stop here on this.
Anyway, the ‘traditional’ method of owning a Proton Pack is to source for what those in the know, that heavy-ass resin Shell. During the 90’s and up to the 20-teens, there were a few guys who can do that (but most of them slipped my mind) and so, a quick Internet search pointed me to Mack’s Factory. From there, you’d start to source for screen accurate parts and electronics, etc. to build your own Proton Pack. However, a few years ago, Spirit Halloween and Hasbro Pulse started to give Fans the plastic version of the Proton Pack. Some would be for kids, which is a 80% scaled down version (Spirit Haloween) and Hasbro, well, went all the way with their AfterLife Pack which you’d still need to get a separate Neutrona Wand that, unfortunately does not sync with the Pack. This ruffled a lot of purists (spirits?) because those Packs comes ready made and, thus the owner does not have to ‘struggle’ much. Not only that, this also spawned a third party industry where it is now so easy to upgrade/ modify your Proton Packs. Seeing the enthusiasm, both Manufacturers then also upped the ante with a Life-Sized Replica from Spirits and the 1984 version from Hasbro Pulse that comes with a separate matching 1984 Neutrona Wand.
Display or Cosplay?
But now, comes the question. For some unsurprisingly strange reason, people would come up to you and asks inane things like will you be in Costume for [this event] or [that event]? Some will also start with, “What is this?” and eventually devolved to, “Can I try this on?”.
Props or their replicas are not as ‘tough’ as they seemed to be. What seemed to be an sturdy item is in fact quite fragile and in most cases, does not survive well from even a 30cm drop. Hence most of them ended up locked behind a glass display. I am not sure how other would approach this but I would prefer to have at least two Proton Packs. One as the most accurate (my Wallet can sustain) version which will hang on the wall and will never go out of the house except under tight 24/7/365 tight security. The other, is for ‘charity cause’ such as when I failed to turn down request for people want to aggressively fondle and break it or when I am compelled (with a gun to my head) to wear it as Cosplay.
You can get this from RedMan Studio Workshop.
Sadly, given the current situation, and budget constraints, it is better to just leave it in the Man-Cave. Unopened. Really. I am so tempted to break it out of the Box since its purchase in 2023 but something (shelf & boxes of model kits) has to go.
(Image Courtesy of EXP.com on their Wonderverse)
Ghostbusters in 3D
In the last few years, the penetration of 3D Printing was on the increase, perhaps with the push from The Pandemic. Everyone who’s anyone has one (except me). As usual, there would be dearth of 3D files of various sources and quality, waiting to be had. As far as accuracy goes, I am not in the position to vouch for any of them. The main thing is that the files do exist and it is up to you to make the decision.
And it is no surprise that the sales of either Spirit Haloween and Hasbro Pulse were greatly affected. Why work so hard (waiting lists, abhorrent price tags and so on) when you can just print it? But do not fall into the trap because although you have a 3D printed pack of various (and suspect) quality, there is still the electronics to contend with. In the end, I suspect that the total cost for the 3D Printing route might cost the same or even, more than the ready made Halloween Spirits/ Hasbro Pulse packs.
But the main thing is, they can be used for Cosplay. I mean, if it broke, you just remove transfer the parts and electronics onto a new 3D Shell…
Links:
Charlesworth Dynamics 1984 3D Ghost Trap
Charlesworth Dynamics 1984 3D Trap Pedal
Charlesworth Dynamics Instructions
Charlesworth Dynamics Etsy Store for Parts
Hasbro Pulse Ghost Trap 3D Insert (Brittany Montreal)
Mr. Kiou Opensource Mk4 Q-Pack 3D Proton Pack shell
Mack’s Factory (not to be confused with the Japanese Max Factory)
