Dan Laws Tie Pilot Helmet Build

[TatooineMachine]

When you say helmet is one piece, are you referring to it being separate pieces but permanently joined?
I have one of DL’s recent helmets and that’s how mine is put together- you ain’t gonna separate the pieces without permanent damage.

Yes, Dan sends out his helmets all assembled. I didn’t realize he meant it was glued together and all. I’ve figured out a few tricks to paint it up by spacing the helmet from the face section while painting so it doesn’t stick together. Dans pulls are very detailed yet perfect, so I want it to come out as if Dan painted it himself. Dan has been a BIG help with my painting questions! Now that I have sanded out a few of the runs from making sure the white doesn’t show when completed, I’ll re-prime and wait for solid cure before spraying the satin black! That’s my plan.....

 

[division 6]

Fully assembled cuts down on recasting.

There used to be complaints that Hi-Impact didn't sell kits.
Our TIE was recast 4 times in one year and our Snow Trooper and Colonial Marine where also recast (by Golden Armor)

 

[TatooineMachine]

Picked up an original vintage pill box!

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Check out the TIE Pilot section of starwarshelmets.com -- that'll give you some good photo reference, including where to glue the Michell turntable needle box.

 

[Gerard2567]

Check out the TIE Pilot section of starwarshelmets.com -- that'll give you some good photo reference, including where to glue the Michell turntable needle box.

Wait, is that the same turntablr that holds the cone knob for the v2?

 

[Inquisitor Peregrinus]

Wait, is that the same turntablr that holds the cone knob for the v2?

That's the same turntable they got everything from. Threepio's eyes, both sizes of "Imperial disc", the cone knobs, a crap-ton of bits and bobs from Boba Fett's gear...

 

[TatooineMachine]

Well I figured out a way to prop up or shim the face plate from the back, mohawk from the face plate to get it painted well. I hope to get the satin black on by the end of the weekend

 

[SirWilliam]

Shapeways?

PropCon by mraika - Shapeways Shops has a pillbox.

 

[RoCKo]

Message sent, thanks again Juan. Any pictures of said pill box for referrance?

A little late to the party but have a look in geordietroopers found parts thread here:
CLICK ME !

 

[wtyler3]

I am pleased to report I was able to get the white version of this helmet from Dan. Pill box and disks enroute, but what was the primer you used? I do have some touch ups with filler and sanding to do, and decide which version to paint. Anyone know what the color is for black? besides shiny....

 

[TatooineMachine]

Thanks to Sskunky I have an original Tie Pilot pill box! Thanks bro!

Been a really busy week. I'll shoot the satin black on this beauty next week! Thanks again Sskunky!!!

 

[russellsch]

Niiice!!!

 

[TatooineMachine]

BIG Day - Scuffed him all up

Packed him with some paper to space out the face from the head and mohawk so none of the pieces would stick to each other

First - set him upside-down and hit the bottoms of everything

Sprayed him and it all looks pretty good! A few small pieces of fuzz, but no runs or flashing!

So should I shoot the metallic details before the clear?

 

[russellsch]

That is thing of beauty right there!!

 

[TatooineMachine]

Thanks for always being so happy and positive Russ!

 

[TatooineMachine]

Going to take a stab at a re-paint on this over the weekend. Too many little bits of stuff in the paint!

 

[TatooineMachine]

Well I finally made the time to re-shoot this helmet. It was nice and warm out, no breeze, got it all stuffed down and shot....and got a few runs. I watched a few YouTube videos and hope to wet sand these out. If it doesn't work and I burn through the paint, I found a few cool tricks on YouTube to blend rattle can spray jobs if you're clearing afterwards, which I am. I want to clear over the satin black and then paint the charcoal grey frown, voice coder, and mohawk details for some good contrast. Then decals and greeblies! Next weekend this will get tackled, I want this guy done!

Wet sanding the whole helmet in 800 & 1000 should flatten it all out nicely for clear!

 

[russellsch]

It's always a good day when you can get some paint sprayed. It's looking good my friend

 

[TatooineMachine]

I've never tried to wet sand rattle can paint. So I gave it a go with warm water, a little soap, and 1000 grit wet paper. It worked great getting out the few runs and little imperfections in the black paint. No burn throughs. I gave Mr. Tie a nice warm water and soap bath afterwards. Tomorrow I'l re-tape off the eyes and put back the paper blocking to keep some of the parts of the helmet from touching each other, and clear him! I'm hoping all will go well....Here's his current state

 

[kurtyboy]

For accuracy I would drill out the Imperial disks and cut out the two squares at the front of the Mowhawk and attach a separate plate from the inside.