Thinking about getting another Vader helmet...

[Twinsen]

Hi everyone ! :devil

Last year, I got an SPFX ANH Vader helmet :



I absolutely love it, but now I'm thinking about getting a shiny and glossy Vader helmet (TESB or ROTJ, that I don't know).

With all the existing versions (JB, Ghost Host, Cking...) it's really hard to make a choice, and even harder to see one of these helmets come by.

I don't know if getting ANOTHER Vader helmet would be reasonable though, as the SPFX already cost me big bucks :confused


Thoughts on this ? Which TESB or ROTJ helmets are the best ? :rolleyes

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Thoughts on this ? Which TESB or ROTJ helmets are the best ? :rolleyes

Depends greatly on your criteria. Going for as close to the real prop or just a helmet that has the "look"?

 

[Twinsen]

Depends greatly on your criteria. Going for as close to the real prop or just a helmet that has the "look"?

Well, to me, screen accuracy is really important. Most of the time, prop replicas have the right "look" because they are screen accurate.

My SPFX ANH helmet cost me 500€, but it looks bloody amazing...
The attention to detail is stunning, especially the wheathered paintjob.
I compared it to the Tantive IV scene helmet, and it looks dead on.

It came with resin tusks, so I installed aluminium ones (tk510/eBay) and wheathered the left one myself, based on high def dvd stills.

Now I have what is (at least to me) the best ANH helmet I could have ever dreamed of :love

So getting close to the movie prop is definitely what i'm aiming at :cool

 

[Ghost Host]

Always good to collect Vader stuff, but I believe it is in violation of RPF rules to showoff a banned member's wares... such as your spfx helmet.

 

[Twinsen]

Oww sorry, didn't know he was banned :confused

I will delete my picture then :confused

Can someone tell me why he was banned ? (a PM will do fine)...

 

[allosaur176]

you can always go with the MR ROTS Helmet...

 

[CTF]

Always good to collect Vader stuff, but I believe it is in violation of RPF rules to showoff a banned member's wares... such as your spfx helmet.

I know he "banned" himself, but everyone still posts pics of TE lids and armour.

 

[Twinsen]

A moderator PM'ed me to explain the whole "SPFX" problem, now I know.

Back on subject, buying a ROTS Vader Helmet did cross my mind, but I don't know if it's worth the money...

I heard there were many quality control issues with this helmet, including scuffed dome and stained tusks.

Besides, although I like the idea of having a symmetrical Vader, I don't know if the "all black" paintjob will be as convincing as the two-tone scheme we're used to.

The more I think about it, the more I get the feeling that a TESB Helmet would be the right choice... :$

Now onto the real question : Which one should I start tracking down? :confused

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Well... again... there are many helmets available that sports the ESB look. Then there are also the hybrid ESB/RotJ helmets that look very nice, but aren't exactly movie specific.

The rarer pieces would definitely be recommended, but they are usually nearly impossible to get hold of, but then there are the more available pieces, though, they are also a small step down from the accuracy scale - still Vader and still has the look, but are more idealized representations.

Tbh: there are hurdles to overcome with any helmet you decide on... either availability, accuracy, or problems regarding the purchase.

 

[Twinsen]

Alright then I guess I will focus on the ESB look. I know the only way to find these helmets is to scout the buy/sell topics and eBay, I've done it before and can do it again.
Starting from there, which helmets would you recommend ? (both uber accurate and the lower budget ones)

I guess there are a couple standing out from the crowd, in both categories...? :rolleyes

Thanks

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Well, it's difficult to recommend helmets as those I'd personally love to get are rarely available for sale and in the off-chance time when they are they are usually only sold off the public view to select few.

If it's a helmet you'd want to get quickly and ready to display then it seems there's only the JB and the brother to the ANH helmet you already own - these are afaik the only ones that comes finished, whereas with most others they come as kits for you to finish yourself. Though, some hurdless there.

For the rarer pieces that takes a long time to find there is always the 20th C helmet. The rest are pretty much impossible to get though, so not sure whether I should mention those!?

Sorry to be such a spoil-sport.

 

[micdavis]

You've seen one Vader, you've seen them all.

Expand your horizons, get some other cool prop.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

You've seen one Vader, you've seen them all.

Expand your horizons, get some other cool prop.

The guy likes his Vader. Not a thing wrong with that. As far as the pic goes, I do not read anywhere that the guy cannot post an image of the helmet he has purchased. Here is the quote:

discussion of banned and/or deactivated members, including posts regarding products and services offered by ex-members

I believe the OP was looking for an alternative helmet maker and was showing off what he owned.

 

[Ghost Host]

Agreed, nothing wrong with liking Vader! :love But you're missing the spirit of the rule... It is to cut off a banned member's influence/input etc. on the forum. The thread's creator could have been old phil again, with another sockpuppet account, showing a mere pic of his helmet to reach another audience to drum up interest. Sure the discussion was slightly off of that, but not by much.

The guy likes his Vader. Not a thing wrong with that. As far as the pic goes, I do not read anywhere that the guy cannot post an image of the helmet he has purchased. I believe the OP was looking for an alternative helmet maker and was showing off what he owned.

Well, if I were doing a Vader helmet collection I would want a good example of each version of his helmet, and maybe include one of the prototype versions out there, too. If you're settling on an ESB, I understand that the "TM" is the best out there but likely impossible to get. I've always liked the "20th Century" myself, but it, too, may still be difficult to find.

The more I think about it, the more I get the feeling that a TESB Helmet would be the right choice... :$ Now onto the real question : Which one should I start tracking down? :confused

 

[Twinsen]

Agreed, nothing wrong with liking Vader! :love But you're missing the spirit of the rule... It is to cut off a banned member's influence/input etc. on the forum. The thread's creator could have been old phil again, with another sockpuppet account, showing a mere pic of his helmet to reach another audience to drum up interest. Sure the discussion was slightly off of that, but not by much.



Well, if I were doing a Vader helmet collection I would want a good example of each version of his helmet, and maybe include one of the prototype versions out there, too. If you're settling on an ESB, I understand that the "TM" is the best out there but likely impossible to get. I've always liked the "20th Century" myself, but it, too, may still be difficult to find.

First off, I would like to thank everyone here for your input, it helps a lot.

Being someone who likes Vader, having one helmet per Episode would be my dream. Of course I can't afford to buy 3 new helmets at the same time.
The ESB version is the one I like the most right after the ANH style helmet.

Besides, it seems a logical choice chronology wise (ANH then ESB... Then ROTJ).

I've looked at many pictures of both the 20th C. and the JB ESB helmets, and I find the 20th C. much more convincing in terms of global look and proportions. In my opinion, the 20th C. helmet has the right ESB look and the JB does not.

So I think I will save up some money and try to get my hands on a 20th C. helmet.

NB : What is the "TM" helmet mentionned above ? :confused

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

NB : What is the "TM" helmet mentionned above ? :confused

Unavailable is what it is. It is a helmet created directly from a screen helmet. It's like dangling a steak in front of a starving man. I would love to get a VP or a TM. Both look very good, but rumor is the VP was cleaned up a bit, and lacks the molded apple tabs...if memory serves.

 

[Twinsen]

Unavailable is what it is. It is a helmet created directly from a screen helmet. It's like dangling a steak in front of a starving man. I would love to get a VP or a TM. Both look very good, but rumor is the VP was cleaned up a bit, and lacks the molded apple tabs...if memory serves.

Alright, better forget about it then :redface

I'll try to find a 20th C. Helmet... I'm gonna need a lot of cash & luck :lol

 

[darthvaderv]

Unavailable is what it is. It is a helmet created directly from a screen helmet. It's like dangling a steak in front of a starving man. I would love to get a VP or a TM. Both look very good, but rumor is the VP was cleaned up a bit, and lacks the molded apple tabs...if memory serves.

Yep, indeed the VP was cleaned, still a nice faceplate, I agree.

You might want to rethink the flare on the 20th century dome if thats what you are going for and they are still quite scarce. One recently sold for big $$$. It also requires some modification for accuracy.

It all depends on what you want, so many options. Feel free to get a good insight into the individual helmets on the Prop Den if you wish for a more comprehensive understanding :thumbsup. As the TM is out, the best available fanmade for accuracy is in fact an SPFX ESB face with a JBV2 dome.

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

Yep, indeed the VP was cleaned, still a nice faceplate, I agree.

You might want to rethink the flare on the 20th century dome if thats what you are going for and they are still quite scarce. One recently sold for big $$$. It also requires some modification for accuracy.

It all depends on what you want, so many options. Feel free to get a good insight into the individual helmets on the Prop Den if you wish for a more comprehensive understanding :thumbsup

Gotta agree with Paul on this one. If I had to choose between the 20th Century and the JB, I am choosing the JB.

 

[Twinsen]

SPFX ESB with a JB Dome... Sounds interesting

I will take a look at the "Prop Den" to learn some more things about the whole "Vader helmet" thing. :cool

EDIT : Wow ! The 20th C. sold for 2 grand !