Need help with getting a Vader helmet

[darthravenger]

Hello Ive never been into the vader helmet interest before so I was wondering if someone could help educating me with finding and purchasing a Darth Vader helmet that is close to film accurate. I understand that Im not going to get something is entirely film accurate at my price point but what I need help with is a description of what is out there and available to fans that is a little more affordable without having to customize but is nice enough to display.

I want something that is close to what is film accurate and from tesb.

I have seen the supreme vader helmet with the rots packaging but I was worried that it is the rots mold because of that and I thought that was when it was released. I only want something that is like the empire mold from that movie.

Basically I need some education on the various official releases of the vader helmet and what is best to buy because I know nothing about them.

Id like to know if the rubies or the supreme vader mold or what else compares to the customized versions that the members here since I cant get a great fanmade customized mold at this time. I plan on getting one of those later but I cant get one now. Id like to hear what would work best for me.

 

[Sym-Cha]

Hi there,

I'd recommend a Darth Ugly ESB . . . not only is it a fine replica but the money goes to a good cause . . . look up the FS thread in the junkyard.

It's the one and very first 1:1 DV helmet on my bucket list to get as soon as funds become available too.

-Chaim

 

[CSMacLaren]

If you're talking about the plastic Vader helmet people dub the Supreme (it's actually a Deluxe but it's bundled with the full Darth Vader Supreme Constume) that is actually not a ROTS mold. The ROTS Vader was deliberately made more symmetrical. However Rubie's simplified the helmet, possibly due to making it friendly to remove from the mold (injection molded plastic) or to differentiate from their Fiberglass Limited Edition which is based on the same template as the Don Post Deluxe fiberglass Vader helmet from the 90's. That template uses a TESB faceplate but a ROTJ style dome.

Because it's been "dumbed down" it's really not accurate, and requires a painful degree of modifications to bring it up to grade.

 

[manooga]

I'm on the same search too now can't really understand all the differences between all Vader helmets (ANH, ESB and ROTJ), so I should better do some research before deciding which one to buy. So far I've liked the Rubies Deluxe, and I'm willing to work hard on its conversion. Is the Rubies that bad for not buying it? (I mean, for $100 usd I think it's fair enough).

 

[CSMacLaren]

Well, one thing to consider is that a Supreme modification project is not just $100. It's also time, tools, materials, paint, lots of sandpaper, supplies, etc. And even with the best modification tutorials, it all depends on your eye, and the starting out Vader enthusiast might try accurizing a Rubie's but it will not be truly accurate. The Rubie's will have it's limitations. Depending on how crazy/stubborn/self-punishing you are (like me) you may eventually want to weigh if the platform you're investing in to modify is truly worth your time.

 

[CSMacLaren]

Hi there,

I'd recommend a Darth Ugly ESB . . . not only is it a fine replica but the money goes to a good cause . . . look up the FS thread in the junkyard.

It's the one and very first 1:1 DV helmet on my bucket list to get as soon as funds become available too.

-Chaim

Aww, thanks. :thumbsup :cheers

 

[manooga]

Well, one thing to consider is that a Supreme modification project is not just $100. It's also time, tools, materials, paint, lots of sandpaper, supplies, etc. And even with the best modification tutorials, it all depends on your eye, and the starting out Vader enthusiast might try accurizing a Rubie's but it will not be truly accurate. The Rubie's will have it's limitations. Depending on how crazy/stubborn/self-punishing you are (like me) you may eventually want to weigh if the platform you're investing in to modify is truly worth your time.

Mmhh... good point. Gotta take a look into several options. Your helmets are a good one by the way.

 

[CSMacLaren]

Mmhh... good point. Gotta take a look into several options. Your helmets are a good one by the way.

Thanks! I try to be balanced and informative with questions like these, otherwise it becomes self promotional (although, with the Darth Ugly project, I am only a contributing sculptor. I'm not part of or privy to the financial transaction in any way, although the SW fan with disabilities we're helping sends me emails of delight when bookface, the propmaker, aggregates the money and sends it to her.)

There is a lot a person *can* do, sure, but the important thing is to have fun and to not lose the movie magic when the modification journey becomes long and painful*. I lost a lot of that sense of movie magic. Thus, hopefully, Darth Ugly - be it in kit form or fully assembled and painted by bookface - will be a great help a lot of people. :cheers

* Back in the day, there were many inferior kits out there, so working on those hellish abortions was assumed to be the norm. Well, not any more.

 

[_Lee_]

I would agree Mac,s Ugly helmet is amazing.I may have to start saving for one.Until then the Supreme i just got will do....

 

[Happy13178]

Well, one thing to consider is that a Supreme modification project is not just $100. It's also time, tools, materials, paint, lots of sandpaper, supplies, etc. And even with the best modification tutorials, it all depends on your eye, and the starting out Vader enthusiast might try accurizing a Rubie's but it will not be truly accurate. The Rubie's will have it's limitations. Depending on how crazy/stubborn/self-punishing you are (like me) you may eventually want to weigh if the platform you're investing in to modify is truly worth your time.

Agreed. I chose to do the Rubies Supreme, and if I had to do it again, I would. I found it extremely helpful in learning how to identify and fix the flaws and finer points in Vader's mask. That said, it's VERY time consuming. Even if you're doing little bits, waiting for the materials to dry and cure can take from a day to a week each time. I've been at mine for months, and I'm still not done. Mind you, I'm doing it in my spare time, but if you're looking to get a helmet to wear soon "out of the box", you're better off getting a finished helmet. And yes, MacUgly's are excellent...I'd grab one myself, but not in the cards ATM.

 

[CSMacLaren]

I would have to agree that modifying a Rubie's Supreme is fun. And I'm currently modifying my third. I don't know why but when it's in front of me, I have to do something about it. The imperfections scream at me.

I made an infographic on the hidden costs of modifying a Rubie's. This doesn't take into account how much your personal time is worth. Some people don't put a monetary value on hobby time.

A Rubie's can look great with any degree of automotive paint and structural rework. It's definitely a great way to build up some sculpting skills. There are many tutorials out there talking about making a Rubie's more accurate. The end result won't be "accurate" when compared against a cast-from-original. The Rubie's has gone through some very fundamental warpage such as removing undercuts and wrap-arounds to make it easier to remove from the mold, as these are mass manufactured by the injection-molded process. Furthermore, a lot of the subtle bumps and irregularities of the original have been long sanded out. The face is far more slender than the original. You can give it accurate features but it won't be truly accurate.

My best advice: have fun knowing the limitations.

If you need the hands-on contact to make something of your workmanship, this is a good step in that direction.

Based on what you may already have, your costs might be lower, but it could add up to the cost of a helmet that's just already in good and needs little work before taking paint.

Depending on your collecting goals, if you don't want to invest in all those tools, chemicals, paints, primers, etc. and just want something ready to take paint, that still provides a degree of workmanship by your hands (you still have to paint it properly and polish it, and that's not a trivial task). But if you don't want to expose your home and yourself to the odor of harsh chemicals and paints, perhaps save up for an automotive painter to paint it for you, or invest in a fanmade that comes already painted.

Lastly, keep in mind that if you're trying to get this done by Halloween, time your project accordingly. Good luck!