Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet - Completed pics!

[PropArtist]

Hi all...

Been a member for a few years but haven't really posted much.

Thought now was a good time to share a long time project.

Like many here I love The Rocketeer movie and always wanted the Nazi Rocket Kommando helmet (is there an actual name for this character? I've been calling it this.) from the propaganda film.

The helmet is steel. The remainder is hand-shaped aluminum.

Many hours of pounding on the aluminum... I still have some ripple chasing to do to smooth it all out.

A leather liner, chin strap and eye glass is in the works.

I also plan on adding more smaller rivets for that true art deco era airplane look.

The cuts still need clean-up and fine-tuning as well.

Please post all feedback. Good or bad. I can take it

Also, since the propaganda film is b/w, I have a bit of leeway for color of the helmet.

Obviously satin black would look great, but would also hide a lot of the work.

Darker gray might work as well, but may not be "historically" accurate.

I will definitely be adding a patina, (going for that "just discovered in a warehouse relic of WWII" look)

Thanks!
Billy


PS: all metal Nazi rocket pack is in the works as well. :cool

My reference points:

I opted to go for more of the propaganda film look with the mouth vent from the character study.

This is a pencil character study originally done for the film.

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

bump....

 

[skidoosnopro]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

LOve this . It looks awesome . You did some really great work with this

 

[Strickler]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

That does look pretty fantastic. Is it just for display or do you plan on making the entire costume?

 

[digital509]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Weird, watching the film the other day I thought it would be a cool build for someone to do. Looks awesome and can't wait to see it finished.

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Thanks guys!

I like working with the aluminum.

It is so permanent though, so every cut is precisely measured and well thought - scary but challenging...but the payoff is rewarding.

Any thoughts on paint colors?

I am also thinking I need to design a Rocket Kommando squadron logo for the helmet. Similar to the Luftwaffe forces.

I was just going to make the helmet for a shelf then the idea of the rocket pack came into mind.

May have to just complete the entire costume.

On a side note, my brother is now telling me that he is wanting a helmet, so I may have to teach myself how to cast this with a resin slush.

 

[Ghost Host]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

wow, cool.

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Thanks!

I am happy with the progress so far.

Did more work last night - pics to come shortly.


BTW: anyone know of a good DIY for slush mold making and casting?

 

[Interceptor6]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

The "bad guys" always get the coolest stuff!!
Like it alot! Did you use a roller for the neck edge?

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

The "bad guys" always get the coolest stuff!!
Like it alot! Did you use a roller for the neck edge?

agreed :cool vader and boba fett to name a few...

my uncle does a lot of work with copper.

he has a shop in his garage with old industrial metal working tools.

A lot of the work was also done on an anvil with wooden mallets and autobody tools.

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Clean-up the mouth vent done.

Still have some clean-up around the rolled edge and eye hole.

Eye glass is next.

Paint:

I am thinking of using a satin Porsche Jupiter Gray paint.

Seems to be period correct and would pay homage to the b/w propaganda film.

As a back-up plan, if I dont like the JG, I would just go to black.

Thoughts?

 

[skidoosnopro]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

The gray I think would be perfect !!!

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

After a few more hours of ripple chasing and clean-up.

Quick shot of ruddy brown primer, then block sanding to ID low spots tomorrow.

rivets to follow.

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Seeing that the metal work is nearly complete, I wanted to turn my attention to the liner since that is still up in the air.

I am leaning towards a tan leather similar in color to Cliff's jacket.

I have both traditional and quilted.

The quilted is similar to this in pattern and color:

I also have several large pieces of burgundy leather, similar to the interior color on the Speedster above.

OR

Should I forego leather and create a liner similar to the MR Rocketeer helmet made from cloth?

Any input much appreciated!

Thanks

 

[ncchuck]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Very nice rocketeer is a very underrated film

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Very nice rocketeer is a very underrated film

Agreed. I wonder if Disney or someone else will ever revisit it...

seems everything is being remade these days.

 

[The 48th Ronin]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

I can recall several different people bringing this up throughout the years, and I never really understood the appeal - in the propaganda film it's such a plain, uninteresting design (IMO, and definitely in comparison to the Rocketeer helmet and pack).

However - that being said - I think your interpretation is really cool.

I would agree that grey would probably show off the details better, but maybe it should be thought of in terms of which branch of the military they would have been a part of. One would immediately assume the Luftwaffe, in which case - grey. But being a kommando squad... would they be part of the SS? In which case - black.

I'd lean towards grey... and definitely a cool squadron logo! :thumbsup

Great work - really looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

 

[yt]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

Nice work.

 

[balsikner]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

where did you get the helmet? Very interesting project nicely done!

 

[PropArtist]

Re: Rocketeer - Nazi Rocket Kommando Helmet

I can recall several different people bringing this up throughout the years, and I never really understood the appeal - in the propaganda film it's such a plain, uninteresting design (IMO, and definitely in comparison to the Rocketeer helmet and pack).

However - that being said - I think your interpretation is really cool.

I would agree that grey would probably show off the details better, but maybe it should be thought of in terms of which branch of the military they would have been a part of. One would immediately assume the Luftwaffe, in which case - grey. But being a kommando squad... would they be part of the SS? In which case - black.

I'd lean towards grey... and definitely a cool squadron logo! :thumbsup

Great work - really looking forward to seeing the finished piece.

Thanks!

The ambiguous character design is what drew me to this project that and a love for art deco industrial.

The concept is there in a rough design, but it is more or less a blank canvas.

I love the challenge of creating this as if it were really a piece of history.

Been toying with the idea of vents or scoops on the helmet and perhaps a small fin of some kind.

Still need to wrap my mind around it with more research.

Looks like the color of the SS helmets ranged from black to the dark green - not including custom field camo jobs.

SS faction would totally work, however, I think I am leaning towards making a fictional secret elite branch of the Luftwaffe, calling them the "Rakete Kommandos" or Rocket Kommandos.

Need more research on the era for unit logos to design one that is realistic and period correct.

Sketches on the Kommando rocket pack detail and design coming soon!

All ideas or thoughts welcome!!

Thanks

PS: to answer the question above, a repop german helmet can be purchased on eBay.