Do we know what the inside of Vader’s helmet prop looks like? (ANH/ESB/ROTJ)

[ToyBoy]

Hello!

I am looking to see what the interior of screen used Vader helmets looks like.

I am trying to get a sense of how the lenses perch on the nose.

The only image I was able to find was the interior of an ESB stunt helmet, but I am not sure if that is how they all look.

Thank you in advance for any help!

 

[v312]

This is from AHN era promo costume

 

[ToyBoy]

This is from AHN era promo costume
View attachment 1810502

Do you think there was originally padding in the helmet?

 

[dcarty]

There was definitely padding inside the helmet in each film. Dave Prowse used to relate a story about when he first put the helmet on and turned his head -- the helmet didn't move, so they added the padding.

In ANH the padding was either black-ish foam or covered with black fabric. In the behind the scenes footage where Prowse is being dressed you can see the inside of the face mask is black.

Cheers,

Dave C

 

[v312]

Do you think there was originally padding in the helmet?

I don't know. I can imagine that this was used for promos for quite some years and the original foam probably was removed because of wear and decay. There's some glue residue and traces of foam around that triangle in the middle. But looks like it might have been originally padded with foam that was taped over with black gaffer's tape or something similar.

 

[ToyBoy]

There was definitely padding inside the helmet in each film. Dave Prowse used to relate a story about when he first put the helmet on and turned his head -- the helmet didn't move, so they added the padding.

In ANH the padding was either black-ish foam or covered with black fabric. In the behind the scenes footage where Prowse is being dressed you can see the inside of the face mask is black.

Cheers,

Dave C

Thanks Dave!

Do you know if there was a nose bridge for the mask to rest on? Similar to eye glasses?

In photos where you can see Vader’s eyes (tie advanced scene) it seems like the lenses are pushed up right to his eyes and show only his eyes (no cheeks / nose).

 

[protonpack]

Here are some pictures I took of one of the ESB/ROTJ (not sure which) Bob Anderson stunt masks a few years ago at the Power of the Costume exhibit:

 

[ToyBoy]

Amazing photos! It seems the bridge of the nose sits on this circled pad, right?

 

[Halliwax]

Here are some pictures I took of one of the ESB/ROTJ (not sure which) Bob Anderson stunt masks a few years ago at the Power of the Costume exhibit:

I’ve never seen this before! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[thd9791]

I love that you can see what Bob saw through the transparent bottom of the mask. Dull but not totally transparent!

 

[Halliwax]

I love that you can see what Bob saw through the transparent bottom of the mask. Dull but not totally transparent!

Exactly, I knew about the modifications under the eyes, but I had no idea about the whole bottom part being transparent

 

[vadermania]

ESB/ROTJ style hero helmet padding.

Pic is from my personal TM ESB Vader helmet.

 

[vadermania]

Another variant, this time original padding of a hero ROTJ faceplate.

 

[vadermania]

Kermit Eller promo ESB faceplate:

 

[vadermania]

Ron Punter supposedly screen used ESB faceplate:

 

[Halliwax]

Incredible photos Tom!

 

[ToyBoy]

ESB/ROTJ style hero helmet padding.

Pic is from my personal TM ESB Vader helmet.

Sorry, what does “TM” stand for? Great pic!

Also, on the screen used helmets, was David Prowse’s entire nose concealed? Or did it poke out into the lenses area?

 

[vadermania]

46 active years of Vader-mania have left their mark…

 

[vadermania]

Sorry, what does “TM” stand for? Great pic!

Also, on the screen used helmets, was David Prowse’s entire nose concealed? Or did it poke out into the lenses area?

TM are my initials.

Dave had a pretty big head. I think his nose poke out into the lenses area.

 

[ToyBoy]

From this image, looks like his nose may be obscured.

If you look closely you can see his eye (ROTJ)