Scratch built ANH Stunt Stormtrooper Helmet

[bowrider]

Greetings ladies and gents,

Let me start by thanking all of you who have shared your experiences, reference materials, skills and knowledge here. You have been a big help and inspiration to me.

I've finally gathered up enough guts to actually post here.

I've made a stormtrooper helmet from scratch with a lot of help from friends and reference materials from here and the MEPD.

It started as a very horrible clay sculpt as you will see.

And it has come along quite far.

Its a long way from being finished but we're getting there.

I have most of the materials on hand, green lense, screens , stickers, paint, rubber trim, screws. I am just waiting for aerators, foam liner, straps to arrive so that I can finish assembling the helmet.

We started this project in November of last year. We got some scrap aluminum screens rolled them into a ball, nailed the ball to a block of wood, slapped some clay so cheap on it that may as well have been mud. And proceeded to sculpt with aplomb...quite badly...but with gusto... that was in December.

Now after getting a casting from that ugly lump of mud we have what I would like to think is a decent stormtrooper helmet. Hopefully worthy of the MEDP and the 501st.

When we're done with the helmet, we will proceed to make armor.

I would appreciate your comments and suggestions. Be as blunt as you want, I wont mind. = )

I plan to apply for membership in the 501st and I want my armor to pass muster. Hopefully these clowns who have helped me will follow suit.

I'm presently working on getting one of those free image hosting accounts so that I can post the pix here.

Meanwhile please check out the helmet(s) here if you are so inclined. http://bowrider69.multiply.com

Thank you for your time.

Peace.

Dexter

 

[ItsThatGuy]

I do not sculpt, so I applaud anyone for attempting, but that said, I do know a lot about Stormtroopers. You said be blunt, so I will be. (Not trying to sound like a jerk).

It looks like you used the FX helmet as a reference or even the old '77 action figure. The back and dome have that same squared off Frankenstein look as the FX. The profile is just way too long. There are just some many things that make the helmet wrong to list. I really can't give any recommendations other than try/start again. :unsure

Your helmet's profile:
http://bowrider69.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/R9VJVQoKCqUAAGElOMg1

Here's an example: FX (highly inaccurate) compared to an AP (way more ANH accurate)
Sorry for the horrible picture quality:

 

[steveo]

While not screen accurate, it's nice to see people actually trying to make representations of an excellent character. I think you've done a commendable job. Now, if you're trying to make it screen accurate, it needs some work. I know how difficult it is to get something close to screen accurate. I've been working on a helmet for close to 10 years now and am having lots of problems. Every picture makes the helmet look different because of different focal lengths and such. I think your proportions are off all around. The front of the helmet looks close, but the side view is quite off. If you put some more work into, I'm sure it'll come out even better. Hope these help and don't deter you. Good luck and good job.

 

[DarkHeart Armoury]

Doing something like this from scratch is aheckuvalotta work, so congratulations on taking it this far.:cool

The major place the proportions are off seems to be the side profile; the face is just too long. I imagine it'd give you plenty of room for electronics, though....

How many pieces do you have the casting broken down into? There seems to be a horizontal seam at the bottom of the chin...?

All in all, it's pretty good for the stage it's at. The big question, of course, is "are you happy with it"?

 

[Goldenrod]

If i was looking at the right pic, i think it resembles the new animated Stormtrooper. Which i think is really cool. And i applaud your efforts. Very cool stuff. Keep at it!

 

[blewis17]

Reminds me of the Altmann's version

 

[tk1780]

Reminds me of the Altmann's version

I agree a bit with that, also that it looks a lot like the FX.


Just a few comments from a 501st stormtrooper. I again applaud your efforts and the nerve to take up this chalenge. However if you are looking for honesty. I again say hats off to you for your attempt, but to me the helmet looks way to big and has a lot of similaritys to the oversize FX helmet.

I have said for years that the FX helmet was not cannon and should be removed from being said as much. My own helmet and 90 % of the people I troop with are in RT-Mod helmets or something similar.

Smaller yet more room inside, have a hero ANH look about them, but agian more accurate in size. Not meaning to jump on any one who loves the FX helm, if you do great, I did not. So again I appalud that you took up this chalenge but for my tastes it is just way to large, but again that is only one oppinion.

 

[bowrider]

Thanks for bothering to look and I am truly grateful for you guys taking the time to post your comments.

I will keep at it.

Peace.