Retro, comicbook style Space Helmet (Lots of Pics)
- Thread starter BAK55
- Start date
BAK55
Well-Known Member
I'll try this again.
I started with a few shipping tubes in various diameters. The largest is 11 inches in diameter to fit over my head.
I refined the tubes by applying a veneer using poster board to hide seams and defects. The front assembly for the air intake waffle fan is glued onto the collar. I should mention the globe isn't glued on yet. It was the last thing that I did.
I had built a box for the "backpack" which houses the air outtake blower fan to ensure airflow through the helmet.
After much sanding and test fitting, I had brushed on a mixture of white glue and water to seal the collar and backpack before painting. I sparypainted on a couple of poyurethane coats to give the whole thing a tougher skin. I then painted both items with Valspar Metal paint and overcoated with a satin finish clearcoat. I then scapped away the cured paint and polyurethane down to the paper on the spots where I glued the backpack to the collar. A 1 1/2inch diameter flextube was fed through the backpack manifold and centered. A small screw was driven into the flextube from the inside of the box to hold it in place while I drilled a hole to feed wire through the flextube to the front waffle fan. Once the wires were soldered and insulated, I cemented the fans into place.
I completed the backpack assembly and epoxied the globe onto the collar.
Here is the result.
Both 12 volt fans run on a single 9 volt baatery. Enough air flows through to prevent fogging and remain cool inside the helmet.
I started with a few shipping tubes in various diameters. The largest is 11 inches in diameter to fit over my head.
I refined the tubes by applying a veneer using poster board to hide seams and defects. The front assembly for the air intake waffle fan is glued onto the collar. I should mention the globe isn't glued on yet. It was the last thing that I did.
I had built a box for the "backpack" which houses the air outtake blower fan to ensure airflow through the helmet.
After much sanding and test fitting, I had brushed on a mixture of white glue and water to seal the collar and backpack before painting. I sparypainted on a couple of poyurethane coats to give the whole thing a tougher skin. I then painted both items with Valspar Metal paint and overcoated with a satin finish clearcoat. I then scapped away the cured paint and polyurethane down to the paper on the spots where I glued the backpack to the collar. A 1 1/2inch diameter flextube was fed through the backpack manifold and centered. A small screw was driven into the flextube from the inside of the box to hold it in place while I drilled a hole to feed wire through the flextube to the front waffle fan. Once the wires were soldered and insulated, I cemented the fans into place.
I completed the backpack assembly and epoxied the globe onto the collar.
Here is the result.
Both 12 volt fans run on a single 9 volt baatery. Enough air flows through to prevent fogging and remain cool inside the helmet.
That is really cool. I have to build two different space suits for separate projects, and this gives me some great ideas.
Larry Young
Master Member
Col. Macadam approves!
Wally Wood lives! 
themanwoaname
Sr Member
i want. now.
BAK55
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the kind words everybody.
Actually, the whole thing started here-
http://www.therpf.com/f24/mid-century-spaceman-costume-planning-stages-90481/
I thought I'd start a new thread since I had gone beyond the planning stage.
I'm still working on my retro spacesuit design. And yes, Wally Wood has been an inspiration.
Actually, the whole thing started here-
http://www.therpf.com/f24/mid-century-spaceman-costume-planning-stages-90481/
I thought I'd start a new thread since I had gone beyond the planning stage.
I'm still working on my retro spacesuit design. And yes, Wally Wood has been an inspiration.
wildabeast
Sr Member
Great build and use of recyclables....
protokev DMD
Sr Member
definitely awesome! Gonna have to get one of the globes for a similar project!
brimst0ne13
Well-Known Member
looks just like the one from the space suited villain in the watchmen!
The-Clayster
Sr Member
Awesome!
Yutani Exec
Active Member
retro-tastic! Liking the Dan Dare vibe and a lovely finish to the collar too.
