Completed ROTS Vader -- Darth_Knight1

Darth_Knight1

Active Member
Greetings all!

Even though I've browsed many times before, this is my 1st post here on the RPF.

I started this project back in October 2009, and after several months, I'm glad to finally share some pics of my ROTS Vader. I started with a stock Rubies costume, but ended up replacing almost all of it, save a few pieces. Here are the main pics, along with some close-ups and a run-down of each piece and it's origins. Hope you like them!

Front View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderFront.jpg


Side Right View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderSideRight.jpg


Side Left View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderSideLeft.jpg


Arms Folded:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderArmsFolded.jpg


Back View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderBack.jpg


Close-Up:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderFrontClo-1.jpg


The Official "Nooooo!" View: :lol
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderNooooo.jpg


For those interested, here's the breakdown of the costume parts and modifications:

HELMET - Master Replicas ROTS Vader Helmet.

CHEST ARMOR - Modified Port**** ROTS Armor. I had him modify the shoulders to create more symmetry between shoulder bells and front ridge of armor. Also added some foam padding to interior to create right lift/placement, etc.

CAPE/ARMOR CHAIN - Chain is screen accurate ROTS chain. Painted it black using four (4) coats of black Plasti-Dip, then attached it to the cape via small looped metal rings, two (2) on each side.

CHEST BOX - Modified Rubies. Started with the stock chest box, then replaced the plastic rods with aluminum ones. Used a Dremel to grind off the original plastic coin slots, then attached new aluminum ones. Both aluminum coin slots and rods are from FP. Ripped out the stock light sequence circuitry and added a new circuit board with a slower, more accurate blinking sequence. Added additional LED lights on the inside of the box behind the red rocker switch, and attached new covers for the static green and red lights. Chest box is attached to suit via industrial strength velcro. Here are some close-up pics of the chest box before it was velcroed on:

Chest Box - Side View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderChestBoxSid.jpg


BELT - Slightly Modified Port**** ROTS Belt w/ Covertec Clip. Belt itself is mainly all Porty, except I took off his stock buckle and added a new one purchased from one of the guys over at the SLD members who does great aluminum machining work. See pics below of belt (attached to cod piece with velcro):

Belt & Cod Piece Together - Side View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderBeltCodPiec.jpg


LIGHTSABER - Master Replicas ROTS Limited Edition Episode III Lightsaber. Purchased off eBay.

COD PIECE - FP/LA Cod Piece. Modified it to include strap going from bottom of cod piece through to the back, plus deepened belt box cut-out slots to fit perfectly with the Porty belt boxes. On back of cod, used velcro and epoxy to add a rounded T-shaped metal piece on inside of cod to create rounded look seen in ROTS (see pics below):

Cod Piece - Back View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderCodPieceBac.jpg


BODY SUIT, CAPE & SURCOAT (INNER CLOAK) - Custom by FP/LA. Excellent craftsmanship.

BOOTS - Black Costume Boots. Purchased online via costume apparel company. Once received, I had a local cobbler add small inner and outer lifts to increase height. I'm about 6'1" w/o shoes, so all suited up I'm about 6'4 or 6'5".

SHINS - Modified Rubies. Ripped off stock cloth and zipper attachment mechanism, used an X-acto knife to cut off black excess plastic "tabs" on side of shins and used velcro to attach directly to boots (see pictures below):

Boots & Shins - Side View:
Darth_Knight1--ROTSVaderShinsBoots.jpg


Well, I think that's it....whew!!! Needless to say, this whole experience has been a labor of love, but a very rewarding one. Moreover, I couldn't have done it without the resources, tutorials and help of all the Vaders and costume enthusiasts that went before me. Feel free to add comments, and hope you enjoy the pics!

Nothing but the best,
Darth_Knight1
 
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Excellent job. Everything looks damn good! Isn't it weird that a modified Rubies makes for the best RotS chest box? Again, looks great.
 
Well done:thumbsup...I'm not a big fan of the PT Vader, but you've nailed it, IMO!

That's quite the ...errr...reinforced cod!
 
Love the "Noooo" photo, hehe. Great stuff. That's quite a first post there.... :thumbsup

Do you have anything for voice/breathing?
 
Love the "Noooo" photo, hehe. Great stuff. That's quite a first post there.... :thumbsup

Do you have anything for voice/breathing?

Thanks you guys for the kind comments, and yes, "reinforced" is a good word for the cod piece, lol. :lol I have a Vortex II for talking, plus a really clean Vader breathing loop on mp3. All of my sound effects (e.g., breathing, voice) come out via two 12-watt Aker speakers, which are hidden from sight and attached underneath the surcoat/inner robe (see picture below):

IMG_0474.jpg
 
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Love it. Im working on the ROTS vader as well. Have my portumac shoulder armor, and fenix props body suit/cloaks. I have to ask though, do you have a hard time doing the folded arms position as well?
 
Love it. Im working on the ROTS vader as well. Have my portumac shoulder armor, and fenix props body suit/cloaks. I have to ask though, do you have a hard time doing the folded arms position as well?

Yeah, I do. It's mainly because the lower edge of the armor gets in the way of where you'd normally have your arms folded.

If you like, keep us posted on your progress, and congrats on your ROTS Vader as well! :cool
 
Yep same problem i have, mainly the two bottom corners where the shoulder bell starts. Heres the only pic i have right now. I would like to ask, does portumac have a website at all or does he just sell through ebay? Need to get ahold of his belt, and possibly his ep3 helmet.
 
Yep same problem i have, mainly the two bottom corners where the shoulder bell starts. Heres the only pic i have right now. I would like to ask, does portumac have a website at all or does he just sell through ebay? Need to get ahold of his belt, and possibly his ep3 helmet.

PM sent.
 
Nice set up... I think I will use the cod idea... :)


I too am close to being finished with my own ROTS vader.

I have been using the 2 Newton setup with my V2 on my belt behind me and don't really care for the sound, it is too distorted coming out of my back and people can't always understand me. Does the Aker setup sound good? Does anyone have any problem understanding you?
 
Nice set up... I think I will use the cod idea... :)


I too am close to being finished with my own ROTS vader.

I have been using the 2 Newton setup with my V2 on my belt behind me and don't really care for the sound, it is too distorted coming out of my back and people can't always understand me. Does the Aker setup sound good? Does anyone have any problem understanding you?

Yes, the Aker setup sounds awesome: very good volume, clean sound, and an easily rechargeable battery that lasts for hours on end. I just did a troop this Saturday (5/1/10) with the Aker/Vortex II set up and got several compliments about the voice and volume from other 501st Legion members and the general public.

The only problem I have encountered (and this really has nothing to do with the V2 or the Akers but more with the person talking) is that it's best to talk slower and with more vowel emphasis when delivering lines while in costume. I've found that this sounds really good coming through the speakers (as opposed to rushing when saying the lines), and helps listeners understand/follow what you're saying exactly.

Like you, I started out with the 2 Newtons, but found that without an amp of some sort (Note: I used the Boostaroo amp, found at RadioShack), the sound volume was too low. Once I heard about the Aker voice amp and did some research, I figured I'd give it a try and have been VERY pleased so far. Just my two cents, but hope this helps.
 
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thanks for the info. I'll give those a try... what's a few more bucks in the grand scheme of Vader. :rolleyes
 
Haven't been on the RPF forums in a while, so figured I'd post a couple of pics of the ROTS Vader "in action" over the last few months :lol

At a Local Photoshoot with a Fellow Garrison Mate in His Boba Fett Costume
IMG_6086.jpg


At Star Wars Celebration V (Orlando, FL) with another Garrison Member Wearing His Emperor Palpatine
VaderandPalpatineatCV.jpg
 
Forgot to include these in last post. A couple more pics...

Vader vs. Obi-Wan at Dragon*Con 2010
IMG_2581.jpg


Vader vs. Random D*Con Fan
(Sidenote: I love this one for 2 reasons...1) he was super excited to be dueling Vader, and 2) he was using his iPhone Lightsaber app. :cool
IMG_2568.jpg


Dragon*Con Parade Pic #1
IMG_3673.jpg


Dragon*Con Parade Pic #2
IMG_3671.jpg
 
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