My Vader TM helmet, ESB paint job

[joevader]

My next helmet project is painting this beautiful TM raw cast.
A few months ago, I told some friends in the community I was looking for one and the opportunity eventually presented. I really could not have done it without their help.

The chin vent was originally ANH sized, this one already has been trimmed to ESB proportions.
I plan to work on this project in the next few weeks, hope everything goes well !

 

[joevader]

The mask is almost done.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

That turned out great. What paints did you use?

 

[joevader]

That turned out great. What paints did you use?

Thanks! I used Rustoleum Gloss Black on the whole mask and then sprayed Duplicolor Storm Gray on top.

 

[joevader]

I decided to set the dome position, before I spray the Glossy Black on it.

By the way, I was wondering about the neck extension on the TM. I didn't remove it on this mask, just faded it a little with epoxy.
Anyone know what was its original purpose?

 

[joevader]

TM is finished! This is a dream come true.

 

[eethan]

This looks amazing!

 

[el toro]

Great job!

 

[cdyoung]

TM is finished! This is a dream come true.
View attachment 1676004

What an incredible Vader cast and a beautiful paint job! Congratulations!

 

[joevader]

thanks guys! I'm proud of how this paint job turned out and very glad that it is well-received.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

By the way, I was wondering about the neck extension on the TM. I didn't remove it on this mask, just faded it a little with epoxy.
Anyone know what was its original purpose?

Most likely a molding feature to ensure a perfect neck on the finished castings. Probably also to keep the neck steady as it had cracked in a few places on the original ANH when it was molded. They may have forgotten to add a skirt all around the rear opening for the same reason, which is why many UK lineage helmets are trimmed short in the back. This last bit is just speculation on my part, but explains why they don't all go all the way back to where the ANH original went.

These kinds of "extra material skirts" around the perimeter edges are seen in many production masters

 

[joevader]

Most likely a molding feature to ensure a perfect neck on the finished castings. Probably also to keep the neck steady as it had cracked in a few places on the original ANH when it was molded. They may have forgotten to add a skirt all around the rear opening for the same reason, which is why many UK lineage helmets are trimmed short in the back. This last bit is just speculation on my part, but explains why they don't all go all the way back to where the ANH original went.

These kinds of "extra material skirts" around the perimeter edges are seen in many production masters

Makes total sense ! I retained that feature on my TM, mostly because of the stability and strength it adds to the neck. And because the TM master itself also had it from the beginning.
I've tried to spot on the film if the screen-used hero helmet retained the neck extension. Any thoughts on that?

 

[dcarty]

There were multiple helmets used in Empire that could qualify for "hero" so it can be difficult to nail it down but there is at least one behind the scenes photo of a screen helmet that shows the neck extension:

 

[Too Much Garlic]

This one has it. The Dagobah dream sequence helmet.


It appears this helmet might have it:

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

The neck extension is news to me. I've always seen this as the "normal" look for Vader (ESB, particularly).

 

[joevader]

I waited a couple of weeks to buff the dome by hand and give the TM an ESB shine that's close to the movie, specially on the dome.

I could not resist to pair the finished TM over my Bookface Quasimodo armor.

 

[InfinityLord]

That is a beautiful helmet you have there joevader! Would love to have one some day!