My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader - Added Sound - Post #17

azheat

azheat

Master Member
RPF PREMIUM MEMBER
Well, I cheated on this one as well and bought a Rubies Supreme. I intended to build one piece by piece, but cost was a major factor. Despite the glaring inaccuracies, negative reviews, and my own hesitations, I am glad I pulled the trigger on this one. I've been watching several auctions and was able to get this new in the box set for $395.00. I'm satisfied for now. Down the road I would love to update this with higher quality pieces, but for the price I think I couldn't go wrong.

I put this on a 6' 2" mannequin (by the time I added the boots, some boot shims, and the helmet, he's about 6"6"). He's displayed with my other figures in my movie room. My only major complaint at this point is the helmet is a bit crooked because of the warped mold. I was entertaining the thought of trying to reshape it with my heat gun, but we'll see.

The only modifications I am going to make now are my finger mods so he can hold a lightsaber in one hand and pose with a force grip in the other, then I am going to bend his right arm slightly.

IMG_0929.JPG
 
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Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

I basically did the same thing, but have updated the helmet, armor, and shins (to date). My mannequin is 6'4" (before boots), so it looks a touch better; but yours looks pretty good. I actually cut the arms on my mannequin and re-attached at a bent angle to give the look of Vader putting his hands on his hips. Makes him look more ominous (I think). I'll put out pics once I get moved into my new house.
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Very cool. I too thought about getting one and changing out the helmet with a Darth Ugly bucket and display it all on a mannequin.
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

I am your father and i am proud of you

that is a very nice dark build !!

Rrrrrr tfffffff rrrrr tfffffff
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Once you start down the Vader path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will!

Lots of people start of with a Rubies and upgrade one piece at a time.
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

I think it looks cool mate. The Vader helmet is the ESB version so it's a good idea to upgrade to the ROTS one day as that's what the outfits taken from. Have fun with your new life size action figure LOL as I've a few in my collection and they look magic when on display. Here's a pic of my Rubies outfit with the MR ROTS lid. I've also upgraded the alloy parts on the belt and swapped the green and red lights on his chest as they are bum about ***.
My ROTS Vader 2.jpg
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Awesome display. Very imposing!

About the crooked helmet: The original was far from perfect, so if anything it gives your display a bit of added authenticity :)
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Hope this helps. I don't know what the inseam is of the trousers but there is quite a gap you have between the armor and the box as well as the box and the belt. The result is that the torso looks long. Here is a simulation of what your setup could look like if you reduced that space.

See the attached image. :thumbsup
 

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Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

You basically have to NOT put the chest box where the slots are in the Rubies suit. There are four pre-cut slots in the body suit, but when you put the straps for the chest box through them, you end up with what is in the picture --- too low. I figured that this is how it should be (when I first got my Rubies and saw the slots, but wasn't happy with the location of the box) until I looked at some ESB pics of Vader and was shocked to see the straps for the box on the outside of the body suit.

Also, another thing that works against you is that most "standard" mannequins have unusually long torsos (for some reason). This tends to throw the proportions off.
 
Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Cheers for that CSMaclaren :) I've sold this set-up to a good mate but I've another ROTS outfit minus helmet that I'm going to do soon. The original mannequin was customized by me many years ago and I didn't quite get the proportions right but it was my first attempt & like a good wine you get better over the years LOL. I like what you've done to your Vader lids and I'm now going to fully modify and redo my Rubies Supreme Vader helmet. Will start my own thread soon with some progress shots.
 
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Re: My Lifesize 1:1 Darth Vader

Thinking of doing a static display nothing to elaborate or expensive probly a cheaper rubies and the outfit on a life sized mannequin. would be a first attempt at any kind of prop but would be a fun experience, could upgrade it over time to a more accurate version.
 
Finally got around to adding sound today, been wanting to do this for some time. I used a 300 second sound module and rewired the button with a very small on/off switch, like the one used in light sabers. I ran the wire down his back under his clothes to his right hand, it's inside his glove. I didn't put much sound on this, just a few clips. The Obi-Wan and Kylo Ren figures are done, now I'm going to try and do the rest of my figures: Boba Fett, Jawa, Yoda, Luke, etc. It really brings them to life.

 
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Forgot to add, the sound module is hidden in a black sock, stuck inside the helmet right on the breathing vents.
 
Love the addition of the audio! It sounds great!

Does the sound module have a speaker built in? Is it pretty loud?
 
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