The DEFINITIVE VADER Q&A session - time to ARCHIVE?
- Thread starter Oohyeah KL
- Start date
darthjones
Sr Member
Wow. It almost seems at a glance that there are so many chest armors out there that I throw up my hands. The 20th Century armor obviously has screwed up bells.
I wonder why all the armors here seem to flair out and forward toward the shoulders instead of curling in. I just don't get it. I know that all the ones at ILM are the same so how does that explain the Rubies version?
I'm so confused right now.
Hmmmm. I think I'll go take drugs.
I wonder why all the armors here seem to flair out and forward toward the shoulders instead of curling in. I just don't get it. I know that all the ones at ILM are the same so how does that explain the Rubies version?
I'm so confused right now.
Hmmmm. I think I'll go take drugs.
Oohyeah KL
Well-Known Member
Can I join you?
I was thinking maybe the mold warped or something, to produce that flaring out.
Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the GT originated from the 20th century version.
Or rather (since I read somewhere that the GT came from the Rubies (or was it the Don Post) which came from stunt armor), perhaps the story is something like this:
- the 20C was a different version from the main one, perhaps molded to be a stunt version, hence it was made to be smaller/narrower. Perhaps for some stunt sets they cut it down even more. Rubies then got hold of and used one of the cut-down stunt versions, and GT took it from Rubies. With so many generations down the line, it's probably not surprising the mold warped.
btw, anyone know how wide the 20C is?
And DJ, do you remember seeing any bells painted silver like in the pics above (and like CO's)?
I was thinking maybe the mold warped or something, to produce that flaring out.
Also, I wouldn't be surprised if the GT originated from the 20th century version.
Or rather (since I read somewhere that the GT came from the Rubies (or was it the Don Post) which came from stunt armor), perhaps the story is something like this:
- the 20C was a different version from the main one, perhaps molded to be a stunt version, hence it was made to be smaller/narrower. Perhaps for some stunt sets they cut it down even more. Rubies then got hold of and used one of the cut-down stunt versions, and GT took it from Rubies. With so many generations down the line, it's probably not surprising the mold warped.
btw, anyone know how wide the 20C is?
And DJ, do you remember seeing any bells painted silver like in the pics above (and like CO's)?
darthjones
Sr Member
Oh, there were definately bells painted silver like that. Yes. By the way, has anyone here ever addressed the end of ROTJ helmet BEFORE the reveal? Have you noticed that the bottom "lip" had been thickened? And that the neck has been sanded flat from a profile? I was told that this helmet was stolen in England. Could have been the one that sold at Christie's about ten years ago for $15,000.00 or so.
Look at the "so you have a twin sister" sequence. A very nicely cleaned up helmet. Also seen before Vader kills Palpatine. Look at the different grill and bigger, more uniform lower lip.
Anyway, interesting.
Look at the "so you have a twin sister" sequence. A very nicely cleaned up helmet. Also seen before Vader kills Palpatine. Look at the different grill and bigger, more uniform lower lip.
Anyway, interesting.
icemanfredtm
Well-Known Member
DJ< that is interesteing.
does anyone know if the 20th century helmet exhibits those features especailly the flay neck profile.
I still want to get the 20th century helmt , if for nothing else but the different attachment system.
does anyone know if the 20th century helmet exhibits those features especailly the flay neck profile.
I still want to get the 20th century helmt , if for nothing else but the different attachment system.
I just finished fiberglassing my GT armor to widen the ends and thicken the front edge. Now I have to trim to the correct width. Can anyone come to a concensus on what the correct length is? At 17" from tip to tip it still looks too big.
darthjones
Sr Member
Hi, Yodakiller. I will confirm the armor width later today or tomorrow. Maybe even get that crazy guy on the phone and have him do it live. Wait to trim! I will confirm all I can!
Durasteel Corporation
Well-Known Member
Vaderguy,
I looked really closely at the comparison shot and it really doesnt appear to be a significant difference in back length, maybe .5" or so??
Its important to constantly emphasize that when the paint is applied wider over one particular strip on a chest plate, and more narrowly applied on the same particular strip on a different chest plate....the two chestplates can look like totally different pieces. The paint jobs are a bit different though, which would be true of all the original sets since they were most likely painted by a human, and not a machine. Obvious logic, I know
Now my two cents: Why cant Vader have multiple chest pieces of varying size/trims? Perhaps he wears a battle chestplate which might be a bit more narrow for more arm movement ..and.. one that wider for ceremonial uses, such as when the Emperor arrives. (in other words, there is NO perfect movie replica, only perfect 'scene' replica).
d
I looked really closely at the comparison shot and it really doesnt appear to be a significant difference in back length, maybe .5" or so??
Its important to constantly emphasize that when the paint is applied wider over one particular strip on a chest plate, and more narrowly applied on the same particular strip on a different chest plate....the two chestplates can look like totally different pieces. The paint jobs are a bit different though, which would be true of all the original sets since they were most likely painted by a human, and not a machine. Obvious logic, I know
Now my two cents: Why cant Vader have multiple chest pieces of varying size/trims? Perhaps he wears a battle chestplate which might be a bit more narrow for more arm movement ..and.. one that wider for ceremonial uses, such as when the Emperor arrives. (in other words, there is NO perfect movie replica, only perfect 'scene' replica).
Oohyeah KL
Well-Known Member
Very interesting info, DJ, though I'm still not sure what you're referring to exactly. Must go watch ROTJ again soon.
Someone should repost that info on the Vader reveal thread!
Yodakiller, actually, 17" would be PERFECT!!!
I know it's a HUGE armor (even the GT), but on a full-sized 6'7" mannequin it's not that big at all. Just go to my site and look at my mannequin, which is 6'6".
I just measured my GT again and it's 15". I have always felt that the armor size would be perfect with an inch added to both sides, esp. if you make the edges curve/taper in a bit towards the chest like how it should.
However, I would not extend the sides by much where it reaches the neck/traps area though. ie., I would start with an extra 1" from each edge, and then less and less as it goes up. Hope I'm making sense.
Someone should repost that info on the Vader reveal thread!
Yodakiller, actually, 17" would be PERFECT!!!
I know it's a HUGE armor (even the GT), but on a full-sized 6'7" mannequin it's not that big at all. Just go to my site and look at my mannequin, which is 6'6".
I just measured my GT again and it's 15". I have always felt that the armor size would be perfect with an inch added to both sides, esp. if you make the edges curve/taper in a bit towards the chest like how it should.
However, I would not extend the sides by much where it reaches the neck/traps area though. ie., I would start with an extra 1" from each edge, and then less and less as it goes up. Hope I'm making sense.
darthjones
Sr Member
Big Armor Scoop! I called up north and my contact there said that, because he was curious after my inquiry of weeks ago, he measured a few sets of Vader armor. I was very pleasantly surprised! Here's the thing - he has two sets of armor there that are exactly 17" across, one that is 17 and 3/16", and one that is 17 1/4"!
All these measurements were done from BEHIND the front of the armor with a straight edge so that the curvature cannot interfere with the measurement.
He was curious also because he does not know why the Rubie's was cut down. He didn't have anything else and frankly, I thought I would have to wait until later this week to get any info. at all.
I asked him if at some point he could measure the neck opening at the bottom in back again and he said maybe this week. Who knows. I didn't push it.
He has not seen Clones but the feeling up there is way positive among those who have.
All these measurements were done from BEHIND the front of the armor with a straight edge so that the curvature cannot interfere with the measurement.
He was curious also because he does not know why the Rubie's was cut down. He didn't have anything else and frankly, I thought I would have to wait until later this week to get any info. at all.
I asked him if at some point he could measure the neck opening at the bottom in back again and he said maybe this week. Who knows. I didn't push it.
He has not seen Clones but the feeling up there is way positive among those who have.
Oohyeah KL
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the scoop, Doc!!!
Does that mean that they all came from different molds?? Or they were cut different after production?
Why the difference?
And since he has so many, how about giving me one?
(or maybe they're getting them ready for Ep.III... HMMM....
Does that mean that they all came from different molds?? Or they were cut different after production?
Why the difference?
And since he has so many, how about giving me one?
(or maybe they're getting them ready for Ep.III... HMMM....
darthjones
Sr Member
He doesn't have that many. He was the other guy measuring the ones at ILM. The reason for the difference is just sanding and refining. Thats all. These are the ones in the ILM archives.
grimlock2d
Well-Known Member
NEW QUESTION: or two...
I'm working on my Vader costume and my current project is the belt boxes. I think I've found some useable enclosures but I could use some expert knowledge on what exactly the six silver buttons are as well as where I should look for some green switch covers?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Grimlock2D/Garth
I'm working on my Vader costume and my current project is the belt boxes. I think I've found some useable enclosures but I could use some expert knowledge on what exactly the six silver buttons are as well as where I should look for some green switch covers?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Grimlock2D/Garth
Robert McLain
Sr Member
What he said.
Seriously, those green lights are giving me pains!!
Robert.
Seriously, those green lights are giving me pains!!
Robert.
darthjones
Sr Member
Hmmm. All of the "six silver buttons" seemed to be different now and again on all the boxes I looked at. While there, they were using allenhead screws with the tops filled in with bondo. I don't know what size they were but can get back to you perhaps on that. The green buttons are crazy to find but I once had a source on ones I was trying to build. However, while I still have the green buttons, I threw out the box. I'll examine them.
Rest assured, the ESB and ROTJ silver six are just screws or spacers of some sort.
Rest assured, the ESB and ROTJ silver six are just screws or spacers of some sort.
grimlock2d
Well-Known Member
Thanks much. I kinda thought the buttons were allen head screws that were filled but was also tossing around the possibility of them being metallic dowel.
On the green buttons any help would be appreciated much. I haven't been able to find them -anywhere-
Grimlock2d/Garth
On the green buttons any help would be appreciated much. I haven't been able to find them -anywhere-
Grimlock2d/Garth
star-art
Sr Member
The green buttons are industrial illuminated switches, these used to be pretty common but they are getting scarce lately. Haven't seen any at my local surplus store in a long time.
There are several items that are similar to the metal knobs, one being aluminum binding posts. But the allen head screws seem to be the best bet.
Hey DJ, do you or does anyone you know have any info on the ANH belt? It's totally different from the other two versions. The green buttons are unique (they appear to be lenses only without any frames) and the six "buttons" (or whatever) appear to have silver centers and red outlines. I was able to make up suitable substitutes but was wondering what might have been used on the original. Also, the strip below the green squares which is a hose section on the ESB/Jedi version appears to be some sort of chromed plastic grille on the ANH belt. Any thoughts???
Thanks!
PS How about those aluminum tusks on the facemask -- any clue where those came from? They don't look like a custom made item on the ANH, maybe they were a "found" object?
There are several items that are similar to the metal knobs, one being aluminum binding posts. But the allen head screws seem to be the best bet.
Hey DJ, do you or does anyone you know have any info on the ANH belt? It's totally different from the other two versions. The green buttons are unique (they appear to be lenses only without any frames) and the six "buttons" (or whatever) appear to have silver centers and red outlines. I was able to make up suitable substitutes but was wondering what might have been used on the original. Also, the strip below the green squares which is a hose section on the ESB/Jedi version appears to be some sort of chromed plastic grille on the ANH belt. Any thoughts???
Thanks!
PS How about those aluminum tusks on the facemask -- any clue where those came from? They don't look like a custom made item on the ANH, maybe they were a "found" object?
darthjones
Sr Member
No knowledge at all on the ANH belt. Didn't find any. There was a Vader box with pieces of plastic painted silver where the hoses should be. The plastic used was the same stuff they use to cover flourescent lighting in offices n' ****. Y'know, tiny squares on it, frosted. They just painted it silver.
Similar threads
