Republic Commando helm for Karen Traviss

[rigormortis]

The members of Clonetroopers.net, the 501st Legion's Clonetrooper Detachment pitched in to buy Star Wars: Republic Commando author Karen Traviss her very own wearable helm. I'm honored to be able to put it together for her, so I thought I'd use it as a good opportunity to do a tutorial while I was at it.

Karen wants it matte black, so I'm undercoating it in silver so when I steelwool buff through the black topcoat, it'll have shiny scratches.

The fiberglass helmet as it arrived out of the box...


RC Helmet sanded, primed, smoothed, undercoated with 3 coats of Krylon Fusion silver and visor cut out.




Three coats of Metallic topcoat (Rustoleum metallic finish silver) applied and buffed out:


Letting it all dry and will continue later...

 

[SmilingOtter]

Outstanding. As much as I liked her novels, this makes her even cooler in my book.

 

[WarEagle]

I thought she was getting a complete set of armor, not just the helm?

 

[rigormortis]

She's the first honorary member that actually wants to troop as 501st as a matte black Republic Commando and a custom Mandalorian done up in her hometown colors of Portsmouth.

Her next RC novel is dedicated "to our fallen comrade Christian Stafford (TC1219 FL Garrison) with the kind permission of his father Rick Stafford, TC7425. Look out for one of the Null ARCs making an appearance in the hunter green armour that Christian liked so much."

Now that's cool. Apparently one of the RC armorers is giving her their first completed set of armor, which the UK Garrison will help her put together.

And she loves meeting the troops.

 

[Goldenrod]

Very cool. Can't wait to see it finished.
I really enjoy her books. Looking forward to the new RC book.
Heres a pic of my RC bucket painted up like Sev;-)

 

[rigormortis]

Nice job. Sev is my favorite too.

 

[greatgarlando]

Great Job Kevin I Am Happy To Be A Part Of This...

 

[GeneralMayhem]

Sweet.

 

[GDafi]

Excellent work so far, looking forward to seeing the finished product :thumbsup

 

[Darth Kahnt]

Looking great thus far Kevin.

 

[Goldenrod]

Kev,
Are you gonna put the spotlamp and visor lights in?
Also did you get one of these for yourself??

 

[deralis]

Sorry I missed meeting her at C.C.
Cant wait to see the finished results....

 

[KnightAsylum]

Such a good writer, and good at writting about military tatics as well, which is not something everyone can do. I think it is great she wants a RC helmet, I am sure she will really like it.
I will have to get one myself sometime soon, where did this one come from? I have yet to find one in the unfinished "kit" form? Which is what I would want to get.

 

[rmschneider104]

Looking forward to more progress pics.

 

[DrMaul]

A Star Wars author who is an honorary 501st member trooper in armor - such a cool concept. And a great helmet - I look forward to seeing the next batch of pics.

 

[rigormortis]

<div class='quotetop'>(Goldenrod @ Aug 12 2006, 03:35 PM) [snapback]1299033[/snapback]</div>

Kev,
Are you gonna put the spotlamp and visor lights in?
Also did you get one of these for yourself??
[/b]

Yup. I have them wired up and ready to install (along with the fans), but I'll install it after the painting is done and cured. I also ordered some motorcycle helmet padding that snaps in and out so it'll fit really nice and the pads can be thrown into the wash. So no more funky helmet smell.

I really need to order my helm (it is a pretty awesome kit), but I'm so flat broke at the moment due to work screwing up my pay. But the minute I manage to save $275, I'm getting one of these for myself.

 

[rigormortis]

Ok, it's about darned time for some progress pics...

Painted matte black, weathered (scuffed with steel wool to show shiny silver below), and lens installed.





Electronics and padding going in this weekend. Bryan, your helmet is the bomb.

 

[SmilingOtter]

That's just ridiculously cool.

 

[blewis17]

:eek