An opinion on Darth Vader helmets

Juansith

Juansith

Well-Known Member
Hello to you all.
Im looking for the most screen accurate ANH and ESB Vaders out there and i wanted to know your opinion.

Are the SPFX ANH and ESB screen accurate and 1:1 scale?.
Also, ive heard the Ghost Host and JB are one of the best ANH, is this true?.
Is the Don Post still the most accurate ESB so far, ive heard its ok only the low number ones.

Also, what about the Portumac Vader?.

Thanks.
 
I'm also currently in the market for a Vader helmet .. trying to get as much info as I can .. I guess you saw this? Last post has a link on the latest lineage chart...

http://www.therpf.com/f9/fanmade-vader-lineage-chart-85909/index2.html

As you can see, in order, the lowest most accessible in your list is the Darth Stone helmet, the PSFX (currently available on ebay) comes from the 20th. While the Portumac is a recast of the DP Dlx ..

I would be inclined to go with DS .. still looking at my options for now!
 
Hi. The GH is not accurate. It is altered from the original look.

The SPFX and the JB are using the same combo - 20th C face mask and GH dome. Wouldn't buy from either.

The Don Post is more of a RotJ helmet, but the quality control was crappy so you'll take a huge chance when getting one - you may get one of the crappy ones or one of the better ones... or if you are really lucky: one of the good ones.

As far as I know the Portumac is just a cleaned up and altered Don Post Deluxe.

For pretty accurate and affordable, go with Darth Stone.
 
I just ordered a portumac Vader helmet. Should have it next week, I'll post up a lot of pics if that helps you. I know his quality is top notch and you can't beat his price.
 
i bought a Stone lid recently.... all i can say is WOW... its top notch, im assuming your wanting to troop in one? if so i doubt you can go wrong with a stone
 
I actually want it to show,'i used to havea Rubies and i tried it and i looked like a bobble head.
My idea is to have an ANH next to an ESB in my room.But its so difficult to pick one lid that is the closest to the movie.
I really thought GH ANH was the best but lately ive heard i doesnt come even close, lookes awesome to me in pictures.
Also ive heard weird things about SPFX but his lids look good i think, i mean ive heard he has taken the best from the best lids and made one with the sum.Again i dont know but this can only mean his have the best out of all isnt it?.

But one question, is the Portumac a RoTJ only or is there an ESB.
 
It's no good thinking that any movie acurate Vader helmet WON'T make you look like a bobble head. They are all meant for the rather large Mr. Dave Prowse. If you are less than 6'5" and not well muscled, they WILL make you look like a bobble head.
 
That is why i dont want to wear it, since its meant for Vader to wear it, not me lol.
Of course i want a 1:1 scale Vader but like all my helmets i want it on a stand in my studio.
 
Oh yeah, isnt Darth Stone the owner of Stone Studio Creations?, i recently think i saw an awesome Mcquarrie Concept he did, it is awesome.
 
Maybe try and acquire a TM face plate. I have the ANH and ESB and they are super sharp lovely pieces.
 
Those are definitely in the high end of the scale, accuracy and price-wise. I didn't want to mention those as they are very hard to get.
 
LOL... treading dangerous ground there mate. (joking)

No, seriously.

I am not aware of any copies available of the DJ. A similar helmet - more detail - from the same mold is however available, though in very limited numbers, afaik, known as the SL. Basically... the new eFX is from that same mold, but is apparently more cleaned up than the DJ, but still pretty impressive.

The TM is from another mold lineage, linked directly to the ones predominantly used in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It came as an ESB dome and ANH style face mask with ESB style extensions at the neck and eye sockets, as well as some ESB style reworking... but many of the ANH details are still intact. The TM ESB face mask is a rework interpretation back into ESB specs done by JRX. Still damn impressive, if you ask me.

Those others are only worth it if you are obsessed about Vader, but if you just want a very nice and accurate display helmet, then go with the DS, which is a 20th C helmet. Originating from tour helmets, so very nice indeed, but not as detail rich as those mentioned above, but is easier to acquire and costs a lot less.
 
Last edited:
Juansith said:
Ive heard of the DJ ANH
And the TM ESB
Are these two the most sought for?
Click to expand...

Strictly speaking the DJ ANH is a one-off and has never been made generally available. However there is the SL helmet which is derived from a casting from the same mold as the DJ (the Rick Baker/ILM mold). As far as I am aware the SL and the TM are the tip of the top that have been made available within fan-made circles. They were/are both very limited and carry a premium price like Too Much Garlic says.

The efx helmet, or at least the faceplate, is apparently derived from the Baker/ILM mold like the SL but appears to have been sanitized to some degree (removing paint detail but not affecting the overall geometry of the faceplate). There are also a lot of questions about the rather wonky looking dome. Naturally everyone is very curious to get a look at the finished product because it has the potential to be the best Vader casting ever made available as a licensed product.

(Carsten replied while I was typing my response)
 
OMG this is just like the tip of the iceberg isnt it?.
In just this half hour ive read almost 10 different Vader helmet threads and they all end in a heated discussion and pretty much people being banned and vanished.

I know you guys must repeat yourself every week with new memebers like me asking for an accurate Vader, so i appreciate all your comments.

So far what ive got is this:
Stay away from DJ, TM and JRX since are almost 99% unavailable.

So my best option is a DS for ESB and wait for the release of the EFX ANH, os that close.
Maybe i didnt mention it but im not looking for a cheap- for the price best thing, i mean i am not going to spend $350,000 but im close to the $2000.

Nevertheless, what doew JRX stands for, is he a prop builder/member?.Id like a word with him lol.
 
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