Darth Vader Helmet WIP

danzig

danzig

Active Member
I got a couple helmets Ive had sitting around since about 2014ish and time has come to do something with them..They are SPFX castings I bought off Ebay (Before I knew the reputation of this vendor).Anyway,the helmet Im starting with is a ROTJ version,which looks no different than the SPFX ESB version,which I also own,other than the fact there is no dent in the dome.
What Im wanting to do first is make sure the helmet / mask is ROTJ..So if anyone wants to chime in and for advice on how to make it look more like ROTJ,feel free.Im thinking the bottom mouth vents needs to be enlarged? And the windows peak area of the dome should be flattened out a bit?Also need advice on prepping the mask for paint.So for doing such,would anyone recommend Apoxie sculpt or just regular body filler?Ive never worked with Apoxie,but Ive heard good things about it
. IMG_2746.JPG
 
Thanks for the info guys.I can see that the windows peak area on the SPFX is not shaped correctly at all after viewing the pics on the sites..So will have to grind that down a bit..Comparing the SPFX ESB and SPFX ROTJ,its clear the only change made was some bondo added to the windows peak thumb print on the ESB,to make it ROTJ.Other than that every thing is identical,right down to the casting flaws (mild bumps / scratches,etc..) Wish I still had my JMC ROTJ helmet..sigh...:cry
IMG_2796.JPGIMG_2797.JPGIMG_2793.JPG
 
Be careful trimming the peak on the SPFX ROTJ. He made alterations to the overall shape of the helmet and if you look closely, the shape of the eyebrows on the dome were resculpted to give an angrier look. If you trim it along the line you drew, the shape of the eyebrows will look off towards the center strip. I'll include some images shortly to illustrate what I mean.


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juajn7fernandez said:
Be careful trimming the peak on the SPFX ROTJ. He made alterations to the overall shape of the helmet and if you look closely, the shape of the eyebrows on the dome were resculpted to give an angrier look. If you trim it along the line you drew, the shape of the eyebrows will look off towards the center strip. I'll include some images shortly to illustrate what I mean.


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Click to expand...

Ahh ok.I think I know what you mean.It almost has ANH sort of look to it..But yes,please post up some pics if you dont mind.Thanks!
 
I'm not Juan - but I see what's saying, and I thought the same thing.
Not trying to steal his thunder - and I'm sure he'll do a better job explaining - but this is what I was seeing...

ROTJ measurements.jpg
 
Painting up that SPFX as it is, will be cool enough. If you're looking for a more accurate ROTJ for your collection - paint up and finish your SPFX (good learning experience), sell it, then order the GS ROTJ when it's ready. Mark is close to making the final production mold - and it the master sculpt looks spectacular. It's bang on.

https://www.facebook.com/mark.edwards.3386/posts/10154768242838725

:D :D :D :D :D

I'm wildly giddy over this offering.
 
craigjohn said:
Painting up that SPFX as it is, will be cool enough. If you're looking for a more accurate ROTJ for your collection - paint up and finish your SPFX (good learning experience), sell it, then order the GS ROTJ when it's ready. Mark is close to making the final production mold - and it the master sculpt looks spectacular. It's bang on.

https://www.facebook.com/mark.edwards.3386/posts/10154768242838725

:D :D :D :D :D

I'm wildly giddy over this offering.
Click to expand...

Nice! Thanks for sharing.I may just do that.Looks really good
 
Last edited:
danzig said:
Nice! Thanks for sharing.I may just do that.It sounds like hes still working on this project on his personal page,but on this page https://www.facebook.com/castfromoriginal/
it sounds like they have been shipping since late last year??
Click to expand...

The AS-IS GS version of the helmet is currently for sale. Mark made a mold of the helmet as it was found, then put it up for sale. Still has the ANH faceplate (small chin vent), and all the warty details.

The new ROTJ version will be cleaned up and ready for painting and finishing. Not the larger ROTJ chin vent. :)


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craigjohn said:
The AS-IS GS version of the helmet is currently for sale. Mark made a mold of the helmet as it was found, then put it up for sale. Still has the ANH faceplate (small chin vent), and all the warty details.

The new ROTJ version will be cleaned up and ready for painting and finishing. Not the larger ROTJ chin vent. :)


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Click to expand...

Yes.Just saw that after I scrolled down the page a bit (thats why I edited my post above that you quoted) .Thats a good idea and Im glad he did that for people who want the helmet as is.I just sent him an email about the ROTJ..In the meantime,Im gonna get to work on the SPFX.After studying pics,I think I got a pretty good grasp on what I need to do.With that said,I need to fill a few minor bumps and just overall smooth out a few things..So has anyone used Apoxy sculpt and would that work for this or maybe just a regular bondo putty?
 
Ground down about 3/16" off the windows peak area today.Its not that noticeable in pics,but made a difference in person.The dome no longer needs to be posited far back and up off the mounting ring, in order to get the ROTJ look.Thoughts?
IMG_2836.JPGIMG_2840.JPGIMG_2844.JPGIMG_2846.JPG
 
Well done this is exactly what I was talking about. I see you drew the line for where the eyebrows should start. You can always add some material to resculpt that area shouldn't be too hard. Looking forward to more progress.


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juajn7fernandez said:
Well done this is exactly what I was talking about. I see you drew the line for where the eyebrows should start. You can always add some material to resculpt that area shouldn't be too hard. Looking forward to more progress.


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Click to expand...

Thanks.I tried not to overwork it.Just a little off about 3" across the front..Also yes.I did a printout of a very accurate fan made vader helmet and drew on my "eyebrow" lines based on that.Any advice on what stuff I should use to fill in gaps on the eyebrow and other areas?Ive heard Apoxy is great,but Im not sure how well it spreads
 
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