eFX A New Hope Darth Vader Helmet

[SithLord]

Thanks, Bryan, for the detailed background to the castings and their appearance, which answers a lot of questions. That also answers a question raised about the source of the two castings and whether they were copies or master pulls themselves. So that's good to know.

 

[Clutch]

Thanks Bryan! You guys rock!

 

[ghostryder]

Awesome Bryan - thanks for taking the time, very cool...

 

[OldKen]

Now they need to go back and make ACCURATE trooper buckets. I loathe the MR ones.

 

[SithLord]

There was also discussion with the hope that the paint scheme will be corrected as there were a few discrepancies relative to the original ANH mask. Too Much Garlic (Carsten) had shown these before so I put them side by side to show the changes that could be made, namely Vader's left side of the mouth (slightly darker gunmetal rather than gunmetal), right tubes (off-black or black rather than gunmetal) and space between the tubes (off-black or black rather than gunmetal) and the crescent shape below the left cheek (gunmetal rather than black).

Here are on-screen examples of what I mean. In lighting that is diffuse, one can clearly see the right side of the mouth as being an off-black or darker gun-metal color. The side of the U-shaped part of the nose (rectangle) might also be the darker gunmetal color, but I don't think it is pure black as some here do.

Right tubes are black...or an off-black...and not gunmetal. That much is certain (not just based from onscreen reference but still photo reference as well).

The crescent (center of image)...distinctly not black...and it isn't a reflection either.

I know it isn't a reflection because it shows up as clearly gunmetal on the Corbis photo shoot (taken with direct flash lighting).

Here is a comparison of the underlying black paint pattern of the crescent from the Tantive IV closeup above (bottom) and the same area on the Corbis image (top). The red rectangle highlights similarities in the pattern, providing proof that the crescent is gunmetal, not black. One would not be able to see such patterns if the surface was pure black.

Hopefully these discrepancies will be addressed for the final production version.

 

[vader71]

Looking forward to seeing these in Orlando myself.

 

[vaderdarth]

Thanks Bryan, you are extremely kind to address us directly like you do. We appreciate the insight. Sounds like the project is in the best of hands.

Dave

 

[StarWars Collector]

Thanks for the additional info, Bryan! :cheers

Looking forward to seeing these in Orlando myself.

You know the drill: Stand back six feet...etc

 

[yakcam]

I think it's a great looking helmet, I'm glad that the dome issues on the prototypes wont be on the final products.

To do the magnets, I'd suppose that they'd have to either build up the top of the face or fill in the top of the dome like some ANH era helmets...

I don't suppose that it would be too hard to do the latter.

Either way, I'll start saving up for one myself.

Cheers,

Kraig

 

[AJK001]

Thanks Bryan.

You just showed why eFX is the best Prop Replica company out there.

 

[jkno]

Thanks Bryan for the insight in making and promoting this superb helmet. I can't wait to get mine :thumbsup

Jkno aka Sergiu

 

[Dioxide]

Thank you for this insight :thumbsup I'm so eager on the finished product

 

[KevVader]

Great additional info from the source....can't wait! Thanks again to everyone involved....this is THE licensed SW piece to get IMO.

Ballpark release date?....pretty please?:angel

 

[imaginager]

LOL, this is one of the first topics that's brought me out of the Studio Scale forum in quite a few months. I love how you guys debate the details - though, barring a flub akin to the MR BF helm, this one is definitely IN my collection. Long live asymmetry!

 

[bubba fett]

I think it's a great looking helmet, I'm glad that the dome issues on the prototypes wont be on the final products.

To do the magnets, I'd suppose that they'd have to either build up the top of the face or fill in the top of the dome like some ANH era helmets...

I don't suppose that it would be too hard to do the latter.

Either way, I'll start saving up for one myself.

Cheers,

Kraig

I actually use rare earth magnets on my 'trooping' helmet. I use three raised strips on the inside of the dome that correspond to the tabs on the faceplate. Six magnets are placed were the screws go on the faceplate. The magnets are placed in such a way that the dome goes on pretty much perfectly every time. I also have a helmet with the dome filled like the pic and it's extremely heavy - great for display though.

That said I still used a piece of velcro on the front because I found that if anyone slapped the back of the dome (yeah, it happens) the magnets would seperate. For display though the magnets would be great, maybe even too strong.

 

[SithLord]

What? Page 2? That won't do. :lol

I'm sure there was more than three people that photographed these helmets at CC? More pics!

 

[JLinNY]

Thanks for those fantastic pics Gino!! Both versions look FANTASTIC, but I'm going for the brushed version . . . .

 

[OldKen]

Thanks for those fantastic pics Gino!! Both versions look FANTASTIC, but I'm going for the brushed version . . . .

So... I still want to know...

Are they planning on making better TK helmets than the MR ones? With a Vader THIS good, how can they NOT?

I want a damn 100% accurate hero luke helmet!!! :cry

 

[JLinNY]

All I know is I can't stop looking at the pics :love

 

[encased]

I much prefer the damaged looking version on ANH. Those look fantastic. Another piece to put on the "save up for" list.