Elstree Vader - What do we have?

[DARTH ANIBAL]

-THIS is what is ruining the forum!

You've been here 5 minutes. How would you know what's "ruining the forum"? Just sayin' is all. Sit back, read, and learn for awhile. Sometimes no comment is better than a worthless one. When it comes to Vader matters, certain people have valuable info. That doesn't make EVERYTHING they say gospel. If you do your homework you'll learn to separate the fact from the fiction, and develop a filter through which you can run the info provided. Sometimes, with a subject as elusive as Vader, that's all you can do.

Sorry for the hijack, 'Skynet'.

 

[Darth Niob]

Back to the bucket folks! Gino? Word up?

There are more people on the forum who knows something about Vader helmets:rolleyes

 

[skynet]

There are more people on the forum who knows something about Vader helmets:rolleyes

Maybe preemptive obedience?

 

[AndySertin]

You'd think.... Yes you're correct there are plenty of people out there. It's like, the internet!

You've missed my point.

 

[skynet]

I imagine this thread going nowhere...

My personal thoughts after comparing my facemask with a 20th century one: I think this (my) 'rotj screenused copy', so named on swhelmets, is a heavily modified 20th century.

I thought I'll drop that in, I'll take some pics and set up some comp. shots.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I imagine this thread going nowhere...

My personal thoughts after comparing my facemask with a 20th century one: I think this (my) 'rotj screenused copy', so named on swhelmets, is a heavily modified 20th century.

I thought I'll drop that in, I'll take some pics and set up some comp. shots.

Good bit of info on the facemask, but it still leaves the dome a huge question, doesn't it? There is one sure fire way to get to the bottom of what is under that facemask, but I know I don't have the balls to do it; Strip the paint.

 

[skynet]

Good bit of info on the facemask, but it still leaves the dome a huge question, doesn't it? There is one sure fire way to get to the bottom of what is under that facemask, but I know I don't have the balls to do it; Strip the paint.

If I had a TM ROTJ or a Jeff ROTJ on the shelf, I would instantly get some acetone :lol

 

[Darth Niob]

IMO the faceplate of the Elstree is still one of the best and i dont think its from a 20th Century helmet.

 

[SithLord]

These were made in 2003. 10 were made with the corrected helmet. More than that were made in the first run. This one has the corrected helmet.
I think this helmet is the same as one I saw before...

There should be a number on the outside of the mounting ring of the mask?

Apparently there were about 10 (or more?) Elstree helmets initially made in England and work on them began around 1999 and they were presumably based off a screen-used ROTJ stunt helmet from Elstree Studios. A second run of 10 occurred in 2003. The facemasks for the second run came from the same mold, whereas the outward flaring of the helmet was reduced, so I don't know if the helmet is a generation down for the second run. Both the helmet and mask should have a number although it will not necessarily correspond. Unfortunately, it seems the exact specifics of the origin were not conveyed by the maker of the helmets at that time so like so many more authentic castings out there the exact origin remains a mystery.

 

[SithLord]

I imagine this thread going nowhere...

My personal thoughts after comparing my facemask with a 20th century one: I think this (my) 'rotj screenused copy', so named on swhelmets, is a heavily modified 20th century.

I thought I'll drop that in, I'll take some pics and set up some comp. shots.

No, there are some very clear ROTJ tells on it. The 20th C is based off an ESB.

 

[GINO]

I didn't want to post in here because I didn't want to deal with another discussion about something I know is right, but some people may or may not want to believe.

I don't know the actual origins/history as for me it is irrelevant. It is irrelevant to me because regardless of where it comes from so much has been done to alter it's original forms, surfaces, etc.. that it cannot be considered authentic from my point of view.

Don't get me wrong, it's a fine helmet, made and finished well. A quality piece. I'm certainly not bashing it.
It's good for people who don't have to have an end all be all vader helmet and are fine with one that just looks the part.
But if you are seeking accuracy and authenticity, this is not the helmet for you.

.

 

[SithLord]

I don't know the actual origins/history as for me it is irrelevant. It is irrelevant to me because regardless of where it comes from so much has been done to alter it's original forms, surfaces, etc.. that it cannot be considered authentic from my point of view.

Maybe you can be more specific? I've shown these comparisons here before...

Elstree on left, ROTJ tour helmet on the right....

It is authentic. It's not perfect, but perhaps you can show us something better than this using the same angles/profiles.

 

[Newbie Doobie]

You've been here 5 minutes. How would you know what's "ruining the forum"? Just sayin' is all. Sit back, read, and learn for awhile. Sometimes no comment is better than a worthless one. When it comes to Vader matters, certain people have valuable info. That doesn't make EVERYTHING they say gospel. If you do your homework you'll learn to separate the fact from the fiction, and develop a filter through which you can run the info provided. Sometimes, with a subject as elusive as Vader, that's all you can do.

Sorry for the hijack, 'Skynet'.

No offence taken. I've had a few go arounds with some other members before about this subject(member loyalty). Anyway,your words are taken in the spirit they're given,and not in anger. I meant the fighting is ruining the forum along with the recasting that goes on around here. I have the tendency to ramble,and make incomplete thoughts as I have ADD - attention deficit disorder,which makes life more difficult,and akwards for me,and unfortunately everyone else that has the misfortune to meet me!:unsure I usually rush through my posts,and I have to edit them again! Anyway,I wanted to say thank you sith lord for chiming in! The comparison photo makes it easier to see the criteria that you use for determining authenticity. I don't collect costume type stuff anymore,just models,and props. This makes it a lot easier to understand for shmucks like me who don't know anything about this stuff!:$

 

[SithLord]

Sure no problem. And I think we should all appreciate that just as there are all kinds of members here, there are also different levels of enthusiasm and involvement for the "newbies" and those with more experience should be encouraging rather than disparaging.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

(...) and those with more experience should be encouraging rather than disparaging.

You are no fun. I was gearing up to drop a bomb... and then this!?

What's up with you?

Still like the helmet. Good to hear more about its history.

 

[SithLord]

Hehe, don't let me stop you....

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Hehe, don't let me stop you....

I was gonna say: "you suck"... but now it doesn't matter. The air's out of the baloon. :unsure

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Thomas, I know I am coming off contrary (As ever), but there appear to be some descrepancies just based on your images. The curvature of the eye is different and the edges appear to be really sharpened up. The thing just appears to be a prettied up version. Those are the things that reach right out and grab me.

 

[skynet]

I didn't want to post in here because I didn't want to deal with another discussion about something I know is right, but some people may or may not want to believe.

I don't know the actual origins/history as for me it is irrelevant. It is irrelevant to me because regardless of where it comes from so much has been done to alter it's original forms, surfaces, etc.. that it cannot be considered authentic from my point of view.

Don't get me wrong, it's a fine helmet, made and finished well. A quality piece. I'm certainly not bashing it.
It's good for people who don't have to have an end all be all vader helmet and are fine with one that just looks the part.
But if you are seeking accuracy and authenticity, this is not the helmet for you.

.

Serious Gino... I'm not a 'believer'.

If I believe, that this helmet is authentic or the best someone can own, than I don't waste my time starting threads like THIS.

I own this helmet, I'm satisfied with it, I KNOW that there are lids out there which are far superior in accuracy.

Also, it seems that u misinterpreted this thread.

I DON'T CARE how authentic it is (or not). I only asked the question if someone here know's anything of it's origin or maker. Nothing more.

You know Gino, I don't get u wrong and I am NOT offended! My only hope was, that some ppl here can shed a bit of light into the history of this piece.

I was a registered on your board Gino. I started a thread like this on the very same helmet only with pics without saying exactly what lid this was...and then I got banned (to be honest I wanted it this way) because u said I was playing games because of only showing pics but not saying which lid this was.

Just because of THIS comment from u, I didn't give names...I KNEW if I used the term 'elstree' in connection to this lid, then something like 'unauthentic' is comming from you.

Again, I'm not offended, ***** I don't take things personal in this hobby. But anything I wanted was some history behind this helmet...not an analysis of it's accuracy.

And THAT was the reason I 'played games', because I've expected something like this.

And as for my 20th century theory: If you lay the 20th century helmet down, faced up and look at the line of the neck...it looks extremely similar on both lids. Since it's dark now I wasn't able to take a decent comparison shot. Will try in a few hours.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

Thomas, I know I am coming off contrary (As ever), but there appear to be some descrepancies just based on your images. The curvature of the eye is different and the edges appear to be really sharpened up. The thing just appears to be a prettied up version. Those are the things that reach right out and grab me.

I thought the same thing too at first but the helmets are a slightly different angles and the trimming of the eye before the lenses were inserted is different making the whole area seem off. The tour on the right has more material removed from the eye socket.