So What Makes an ANH Vader Accurate?

[SgtFang]

I've been dragging my heels about doing one of these for years because of all the flame wars they seem to generate, but I'm finally doing a Vader Helmet.

I'm going to be converting a DP CA to an ANH version, and I need to know from the experts here what it'll take. I know the helmet itself will need to be lengthened, but by how much? I also know I'll need to resize the "goatee grill" in the chin. I've got a Fyberdyne Vader here to measure against for that.

What else will I need to do? When finished, these kits will probably run about an even $200.00

Thanks!

-Sarge

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I don't have a DP CA, but from what I've seen of re-positioned DP CA domes, they do not require lengthening. However, you have to completely redo the center ridge on the dome and create the widows peak.

The chin vent should line up with the inside edge of the outer teeth.

In my opinion there are two ways to make this into an ANH - the easy way and the hard way. The easy way is just a few moderations, such as the dome and chin vent and that'd be it... the hard way... don't think you wanna go down that route as it will probably not leave any of the DP CA surface left, when you are done.

 

[Jumpin Jax]

Sweet! A fang helmet would kick butt.

 

[SgtFang]

the hard way... don't think you wanna go down that route as it will probably not leave any of the DP CA surface left, when you are done.

Go ahead and trot it out! :thumbsup

This CA Vader is probably going to just be used as a Vader shaped "block" for massive resculpting anyway, so at this point any suggestions are good ones.

Also, depending on how well bondo sticks to the vinyl DP used, I may need to mold the DP as is and pull a quick and dirty resin copy to build on instead. I'll just have to wait till it gets here and see.

-Sarge

 

[HAL9000]

So What Makes an ANH Vader Accurate?

1. Scale.
2. Asymetry
3. requisite dings and scuffs
4. thumb and finger prints in the right places
5. windows peak

 

[ob1al]

The best advice I can give is, study the different helmets on Jez's site and Darth Khants hi-res screengrabs.

The nuances of the different helmets soon come to the fore.

Here's a pic of mine, the DP CA (in fiberglass) is on the left, an ANH facemask replica on the right:

DP CA mask and dome, in fiberglass:

ANH replica facemask and helmet for comparison:

The biggest and most obvious differences are the mounting systems, the lower chin vents and the widows peak at the front of the ANH helmet, plus the thinner sharper strip on the ANH helmet. The 'tears' under the eyes will need to be reworked as well as the stripes on the nose, then the whole thing wil need to be sharpened up considerably to get an ANH look going on.

Get these factors right and you will be well on the way to creating a decent ANH replica, IMO.

A lot of the other detailing is all about the paint job - such as the two tone paint scheme, handbrushed 'sloppy' detailing and semi-matt look of the paint job on the ANH version.

 

[SgtFang]

Oh- here's some pics of the one I've got coming-

The helmet iself looks pretty soft in the detail dept, but I think the face plate will do fine. It's already got the droopy mouth, and the big, blocky stuff on the top of the head is already cut away for me.

-Sarge

 

[bubba fett]

Ah, you bought the VP ones off ebay! First I would chuck the dome entirely if it were me - I just think it is too hard to try and fix it - but your skills are better than mine...

Since VP already cut the mounting system you can fill it and build a new one of those. I also think the facial features need to get cleaned up as they get softened when produced in vinyl.

Anyway, just my two cents. I am sure the real Vader experts on the board will chim in.

 

[Darth Detroit]

Biggest things are:
Chin vent
Dome placement
Paint scheme (including sheen and color tones)
Accurate Tusks
Lens Color
Mouth and Chin screens

 

[firebladejedi]

This looks like its going to be an interesting project :thumbsup

 

[RBJ]

My Fang Tie is just the favorite SW helmet I have. I am now working on a ANH Vader, so I can't wait to see the progress!