Altmanns Darth Vader V2

[burger]

Howdy folks, I wanted to post a gallery of my Altmanns of Australia Vader version 2. There seems to generally be a lack of information on this particular helmet. I am the second owner, I'm pretty sure I acquired this in a trade ten years ago for a Moviefx or Rtmod helmet I built up/ painted for a trooper. It's made of black injection molded plastic, has smokey purple lenses with machined metal tusks and mouth vents. The finish appears to be a high grade automotive acrylic paint, which has spider cracked in a few spots over the years. All in all, it is still a solid display piece! The original Altmann's Vader looked like Daffy Duck but this one has a symmetrical and soft detailed look which isn't too displeasing or out or proportion. Is this a remold of the 20thC Vader helmet? Does anyone know why Altmann made their own representations of the screen used helmets if they were an officially licensed company? Was screen accuracy just becoming a thing?

altmvader2 - Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[dcarty]

Thank you for sharing! The only breakdown of the Altman's helmets I've seen is the one on Jez's starwarshelmets.com site. It almost looks like this is an attempt to do an ANH version of the helmet. The Altman's on SWH.com seem to be more ESB/RotJ with the larger chin vent (assuming the neck brace was added by the owner).

 

[xiionn]

Thats in pretty decent condition for its age, thats for sure.

I know screen accuracy is desirable, but if you wore that with a decent suit, 99% of the people would say....damn, thats Darth Vader.

 

[burger]

I've been doing more research on the helmet. From what I've read they were vacuum formed, I didn't know it was possible to get than much depth and detail from a pull.

Licensed Australian Helmets. Your Opinions?

OK what are your opinions on these? I believe they are Altmann's They look decent enough, and they are far better quality than rubies. and cheaper than MR http://www.vegatransports.com.au/AustralianStarwars/Helmet.html Best part is they ship world wide!

www.therpf.com

This thread, post #16 claims these v2 helmets were made prior to "Version one," and were produced to finalize styles presented to LFL. At the time Don Post CA helmets were considered the premium collectors piece and they didn't want Altmann conflicting interests within their IP. Thus several helmet styles within the Altmann Armour line were delegated to optimal costuming.
The original run of Vader helmets consisted of 500, according to word of mouth helmets without the numbered sticker were produced during and after production. Could they actually sell 500 daffy ducks back then? I started messing around with props and armor, around 2000. While I was in high school working my first job I bought a set of MovieFx armor, that was a thick and quality suit for costuming. I don't remember seeing any Altmanns Vaders walking around at Comiccon.
In the past several years my interest in props has waned, although I really appreciate those formative years of RPF and all it taught me about modeling, sculpting, research and scaling. I actually found this helmet "in the way" a few times and have decided it's time to find it a new home.