JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build Finished, pics on page 2

[tubachris85x]

Got this helmet in the other day, and was pleasantly surprised. One thing that caught me off guard was how small it is though! Didn't realize how small Urban is!! I'm a big guy, though while I can wear it, I'm not entirely sure how well it looks on me just yet. Perhaps I'll finish it before I make that decision.

Anyways, began trimming the helmet up. I'm in that "I don't know what to clean up" mode since it's cast off the auction helmet. One thing I did notice is that the nose X posts are not shaped how Dredd's helmet is, it has more of a dull/flatter appearance. I think though that I can do some sanding and minor fill work to get the shape correct.

-I guess some other questions I've had is that has this helmet or at least any screen used helmets been identified that match these casts?

-On the sides of the eyes/visor (furthest sides) there appear to be an added detail that is slightly raised up and goes up in a sharp angle. From my research, I haven't been able to identify in a screen shot if these were left on the film helmets or if these were sanded smooth. I guess my question really is should I leave it?

-My last question: Is the helmet too small for me? (I'll have to post this pic after I finish it). I am anal for accuracy. Having a helmet from production is the best in accuracy IMO for a starting base. Not that I have anything against fan-made helmets, it's just a personal thing I have. I fear that this would be too small for me to really use without looking goofy. I know Pinski's helmet is quit large, but Idk until I see it in person. For the record, I'm 6'7" tall

Cleaned most of the helmet up, getting into the deep corners was a pain. I still want to thin out the visor area a bit to make it more movie accurate (at least thin out the visible area). Used some really high grit sand paper for the badge, but need to find my steel wool


Thanks

-TC

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I just recieved mine as well. The raised areas with the upswept lines at the visor corners are cracks in the original helmet. They were retained to keep the character of the original piece. I think JB wanted it to remain intact so they didn't tamper with it before molding. Let's face facts, this was one of the "reject" helmets that came out sub-par in quality. I plan on correcting all the irregularities on mine. That includes defining some of the raised area lines, fixing the "cracks" at the corners, and rounding out some of the less well contoured areas. I'll also even up some of the bottom rim margins. This helmet gets us in the ballpark of "screen used" even while the original never was on screen. I guess I'm lucky....I have a Dredd sized head. I don't know for sure but I suspect that they had more than one mold in the prop factory. You can see quite a few helmets in the "making of" segment on bluray. No one can say if any vary in size. With all the actors and stuntmen, it is possible that they made larger sizes. Unfortunately, you are obviously stuck with the size head you have. Don't know if you are up for building a larger one to suit your melon. As far as being anal....I use to be like that....after a reality check or two, I decided that no mater how close to canon I got, I still look nothing like the actor in the costume. Such is life, plastic surgery is out of the question.:lol

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I just recieved mine as well. The raised areas with the upswept lines at the visor corners are cracks in the original helmet. They were retained to keep the character of the original piece. I think JB wanted it to remain intact so they didn't tamper with it before molding. Let's face facts, this was one of the "reject" helmets that came out sub-par in quality. I plan on correcting all the irregularities on mine. That includes defining some of the raised area lines, fixing the "cracks" at the corners, and rounding out some of the less well contoured areas. I'll also even up some of the bottom rim margins. This helmet gets us in the ballpark of "screen used" even while the original never was on screen. I guess I'm lucky....I have a Dredd sized head. I don't know for sure but I suspect that they had more than one mold in the prop factory. You can see quite a few helmets in the "making of" segment on bluray. No one can say if any vary in size. With all the actors and stuntmen, it is possible that they made larger sizes. Unfortunately, you are obviously stuck with the size head you have. Don't know if you are up for building a larger one to suit your melon. As far as being anal....I use to be like that....after a reality check or two, I decided that no mater how close to canon I got, I still look nothing like the actor in the costume. Such is life, plastic surgery is out of the question.:lol

Well that answers that. Didn't think they'd be cracks considering how symmetrical they are to each other, but I'll sand those off now. There's only so much of the helmet that I want to clean up and leave the rest alone. Any flaws can still be merged into weathering or the like. I'm not going for a Dredd specific helmet, but just a generic judge/semi-custom judge helmet for myself.

As for my size, I'm still unsure about it. I'm curious to know how many other helmet's were produced at varying sizes. It was confirmed this was the male, so it makes me wonder just how much smaller the female one is. The silver helmet JB just got clearly came from the same mold (comparing the badge area) but he said it's slightly larger and much sharper details. I'm wondering if that is something I should get in the future

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I don't know if the owner of that helmet has any intention of offering his in the future....probably would make no difference to you on size. sharpness of detail I'm correcting with some filler, as needed. pretty simple, just mask along the lines already present, fillet a lift of Bondo, sand and you have the corrections made. I've done that part. Also contoured the raised right ear area where it looks a little pushed in. I assume yours is also a little misshapen along the bottom left side. Hold your helmet upside down and you may see that the left site is about 1/4" out of round. If yours has that issue, then it was another reason this was tossed as defective, by the prop folks. If it isn't out of round, then it is likely pulling from the mold too soon by JB. Since I haven't seen mention of that, either it is peculiar to my cast, or they didn't want to discourage sales. It is not real obvious from the outside, but pretty glaring when you turn it over. I filled the outside profile but will have to fiberglass the inside if I thin it out to keep the same thickness. By the way, for getting into the tight corners of the visor area. X-acto makes a short saw tooth blade for their knife handle or you could use a thin hack saw blade or a scroll saw blade held at both ends. Have fun.

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Thanks! Yea, there's alot of wonkiness to the helmet but a lot of that doesn't really bother me too much. I'll just clean up the detail lines but leave in tact for the most part. It is slightly misshapen if you look at it from below though

As for the visor area, I'll post pics up shortly. I managed to thin the area out significantly last night with my dremel and sand paper. A little more clean up, but it's where I'd like it to be

- - - Updated - - -

See if this works..

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Did you thin the top surface or inside surface of the X piece? I'd like to thin it but If I grind out the fiberglass I'm afraid that the resin that is left will be too fragile on it's own. The part of the helmet I was talking about being out of round is the left (as you take it off your head and look at the shape of the bottom.) side bottom rim. It is distinctly flatish about 1/4 around the base. Same on yours? Cant see it in the pics.:confused

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Did you thin the top surface or inside surface of the X piece? I'd like to thin it but If I grind out the fiberglass I'm afraid that the resin that is left will be too fragile on it's own. The part of the helmet I was talking about being out of round is the left (as you take it off your head and look at the shape of the bottom.) side bottom rim. It is distinctly flatish about 1/4 around the base. Same on yours? Cant see it in the pics.:confused

Yep, the helmet bottom is shaped like you mentioned it. I can grab a pic when I get home.

As for the grinding the top-inner of the X, I didn't grind away all the fiberglass. There's actually quite a bit left. I was worried as well that area would become more fragile, but the inside edge around the helmet is raised higher then the rest of the inner helmet's fiberglass, so it allows me to grind down the part I need to, but not compromise the fiberglass layer. One thing that will help the structural integrity of the X piece is the visor, once I have it installed.

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Sounds good, I'll probably jump in and do the same. Just got mine yesterday but I'm feeling good about my progress so far.:thumbsup

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Sounds good, I'll probably jump in and do the same. Just got mine yesterday but I'm feeling good about my progress so far.:thumbsup

I hear ya. I got all this work done in about 3 hours total work time, probably less then that. Thinning out the visor's edge was the most difficult thing I needed to do to the helmet. I'm probably gonna add some filler to the X piece to make it slightly pointier/more accurate, but otherwise, I feel good with how it is and about ready to paint.

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I look forward to seeing it finished. If you post a pic while wearing it, I'll be happy to offer an opinion on the look. Maybe you just think it is too small. I have seen some members wearing their helmets that are , in my opinion, too large. They look a little like the Vader guy in that Mel Brooks movie.:lol

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I look forward to seeing it finished. If you post a pic while wearing it, I'll be happy to offer an opinion on the look. Maybe you just think it is too small. I have seen some members wearing their helmets that are , in my opinion, too large. They look a little like the Vader guy in that Mel Brooks movie.:lol

LOL The reason I've not posted one yet is because I look REALLY goofy in the pics I have taken.

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I hear you. No one is likely to look great until it is painted and the visor is installed. Assuming you can get your head inside with minimal padding, it probably won't look as bad as you think.....if it does, you can count on me to tell you honestly.

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Well, there ya go. I'm not sure about it....

Don't say I could have posted a goofier pic of myself on the internet...oh wait..

 

[Max Replica]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Some people have helmets that look far too big. Yours looks to small on you. You should trade with one of the many folks who has one too large for them. The Noden helmet (available on facebook only?) would fit you better and is also screencast.

The one you have looks great on guys like me who are under 6 feet tall.
Pinsky also makes some large helmets, but they are not screen-cast.

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Some people have helmets that look far too big. Yours looks to small on you. You should trade with one of the many folks who has one too large for them. The Noden helmet (available on facebook only?) would fit you better and is also screencast.

The one you have looks great on guys like me who are under 6 feet tall.
Pinsky also makes some large helmets, but they are not screen-cast.

Well, I wouldn't trade considering how much I paid for this :lol I'd certainly be interested in learning more about this Noden helmet you speak of.

 

[Max Replica]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

The other helmets you may want to trade for actually cost about the same as what you paid for yours, which is why I suggested it.
If you join the judge dredd dragon con facebook group, you'll find pics of other helmets.

I own both the JBR and the Noden. They are both cast off of production helmets and both excellent choices. There is a thread somewhere here where a guy is making a Predator / Dredd hybrid costume, and in that thread you can find a photo of the Noden and JBR next to each other.

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Yeah, I would agree with Max. You have a rather robust face that overpowers the helmet. I feel your pain since I invested a lot oif time and effort into the scratch built helmet I made, only to find it too heavy to wear. The JB fits me very well. If you make the leap tom another helmet, I'm sure you will make the right choice on the next selection. Fortunately I asked JB and a member who had his already, about the size, because I was concerned that it was female sized. Once I was assured that it would fit a 23-24 inch head I jumped. I'm 23 1/2. If you regret the purchase, You should have no trouble selling to another member, since you've done the hard work that many are not equipped to do. You should be able to recover shipping as well since this is a nearly finished kit.

 

[tubachris85x]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Yea, I think I'm gonna go ahead and get the helmet from Steve. I wish I had known prior, but didn't catch it on the facebook group. Oh well. I think I'll just finish the helmet up and sell it. It's a beautiful helmet and I'm upset that I can't wear it. If anything, have a hug noggin with this helmet gives me more the comic dredd look lol

 

[Ray48]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

Maybe intimidating.......provided you get the larger helmet.:lol

 

[Chanrahan]

Re: JB Replicas Dredd/Judge Helmet build (Questions too)

I sent a friend request over on facebook. I might be happy to take your helmet off your hands if you wanna chat on it. You did a very nice job on it, likely better than I would.