Alterations to Production Props? Is ok to do?

Captain April

Sr Member

• Sep 16, 2014

• #1

I have been restoring a production Spacesuit Helmet from the Babylon 5 spinoff series Crusade:

I am at the point of going to paint, and here's my dilemma, unlike this Helmet from the Babylon 5 Movie Thirdspace:

Which has some nice graphics on it, multi-colored, station patch, some numbers and Name plate but this one has nothing on it one color and that's it. Here's a concept I drew up:

Is it wrong to change a production Prop? The graphics I added are taken from the episode it appeared in, Ship Patch and the strip relates to the rest of the suit. What do you guys think?

 

Apollo

Legendary Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 16, 2014

• #2

It's yours do what you want and enjoy it

 

O

OldSkoolEffects

Well-Known Member

• Sep 16, 2014

• #3

I guess it all depends if you'll ever be reselling it or not.

 

RonsMovieProps

Well-Known Member

• Sep 16, 2014

• #4

It would display better, but it brings the value down in a lot of collector's eyes.

 

luke moonwalker

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Sep 16, 2014

• #5

I'm probably more in the camp of leaving as is, but Apollo is right... it's yours to do what you like. Assuming you can just make these as vinyl decals, I think the changes would be minimal and could be removed down he road anyway.

 

Captain April

Sr Member

• Sep 16, 2014

• #6

I am planning to use vinyl decals, also I don't intend on ever selling it, but I want it to look as cool as it can. I watched the series again and I get the feeling that time was against them and they didn't get the chance to finish it. That's the reason the I designed the decals to fit the episode and the helmet. Thanks you guys for the input.

 

Art Andrews

Community Owner

Community Staff

• Sep 18, 2014

• #7

First, everyone is right about doing what you want to do. It is yours. If you want to set it on fire, it is yours to do.

I also think that something to consider is the true historic value of these pieces. Some people look at every prop as if it has significant historical value and should never be touched. BS. Let's be honest, most props aren't even worth what we pay for them and we are paying sentimental or emotional value for them. They don't have any true long-term historical significance. With that in mind, if it makes you happier to paint your helmet up in a way that satisfies you, then go for it. A few stick-in-the-muds might grumble but history won't judge you harshly.

 

Captain April

Sr Member

• Sep 20, 2014

• #8

Thanks for the support, you are right, it's not like this is Keir Dullea's Red Helmet from 2001, I would bet that 90% of the members here wouldn't even know the show "Crusade" let alone this prop from the single episode.