CableGuy Builds...replicating the RS Prop Masters ANH Stunt helmet

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey there troopers,

 

I was thrilled to receive a package yesterday, (a MBB: medium, brown box), generously sent to me by the team at RS Prop Masters. What an honour. :-)

 

So, I did a little unboxing as it’s been a long time in the making. And, I was not disappointed.

 

More updates and a full build thread to follow.

 

 

 

 

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[TheSwede[TK]]

40 minutes ago, CableGuy said:

generously sent to me by the team at RS Prop Masters. What an honour. :-)

For free? You lucky duck! and about time you got to build something  like this (armor next then) 

[CableGuy[TK]]

For free? You lucky duck! and about time you got to build something  like this:popcorn: (armor next thenB)) 

Haha. Yes, about time! Can’t wait to get started on it.

[MaskedVengeance[Staff]]

Nice! I need to get on that RS mailing list! ;-) Have fun with it, Dan!


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[Dracotrooper]

Congratulations Dan!!

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[CableGuy[TK]]

Congratulations Dan!!

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Thanks, Jesse. Hope you are well, sir. :-)

[Sly11[Admin]]

Very nice Dan.

[Bulldog44[TK]]

Super! Looking forward to seeing more! 

[Cleantrooper[TK]]

That's so cool. Looking forward to seeing the results. 

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

So, my other suit of armour is now finished and 501st cleared, so I can now start on this helmet.

I’m going to be using the photos of Simon’s original, screen used helmet and aiming to replicate it. After all, this helmet was cast from that original helmet - why not try to replicate it?! Right? :-)

So, I’ve started off with the eyes. As ANH helmets were so unique, the eyes play a big part in the finished appearance.

I originally used the reference photos and them eyeballed the approximate cut lines - I marked these with pencil;








However, looking closely at the inside of the eye sockets, the original cut lines of this helmets eye sockets were pretty clear;

Now with added pencil lines...






To get the look I like (very sharp lines), I used a Stanley knife and gently started scoring along these original mould lines. Once I scored enough, I started to cut along the lines with the Stanley knife, very carefully, from the inside.

The results are, in my opinion, pretty close, including the notable bump on the upper inner edge of the left eye (when worn).











More updates to come. :-)

[Sly11[Admin]]

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Is there something weird with the vocoder or is it just lighting, appears angled halfway through 

[CableGuy[TK]]

Is there something weird with the vocoder or is it just lighting, appears angled halfway through 

Now you mention it, there is a definite slant from top right to left. I think the lighting makes it look “bent”.

Here’s some better shots.

[Mar2D2]

Now you mention it, there is a definite slant from top right to left. I think the lighting makes it look “bent”.

Here’s some better shots.

It's the wonky charm of the original ANH TK's we love! Hand sculpted in clay by Liz Moore for ANH and RS casting 40yrs later, directly from Simon's original suit confirmed to be sculpted by Brian Muir himself. My RS TK has all the same wonkyness and beautiful imperfections


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[Mar2D2]

Now you mention it, there is a definite slant from top right to left. I think the lighting makes it look “bent”.

Here’s some better shots.

It's the wonky charm of the original ANH TK's we love! Hand sculpted in clay by Liz Moore for ANH and RS casting 40yrs later, directly from Simon's original suit confirmed to be sculpted by Brian Muir himself. My RS TK has all the same wonkyness and beautiful imperfections


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[CableGuy[TK]]

15 minutes ago, Mar2D2 said:

It's the wonky charm of the original ANH TK's we love! Hand sculpted in clay by Liz Moore for ANH and RS casting 40yrs later, directly from Simon's original suit confirmed to be sculpted by Brian Muir himself. My RS TK has all the same wonkyness and beautiful imperfections


Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
 

Haha - yes, no doubt about that. That's why I love this helmet and really want to replicate all of its little quirks. :-)

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

 

A little update on this RS build. As below, and discussed in the linked video, I’ve been working on the frown area. Looking at the many pics of Simon’s original stunt helmet, the cut outs are unique and full of charm. Probably cut in a hurry to meet the production schedule, they’re far from “perfect” or “idealised”. As I’m aiming for a replica of Simon’s actual helmet, I’m following these quirks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More talk about this here;

 

 

Stay safe,

 

Dan :-)

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers, 

 

Wow - no updates on this since Nov 2020. I have been slacking! ;-) 

 

The helmet is still work in progress (due to real life taking priority recently) but it’s getting there. 
 

Construction is complete, including as much attention to detail as possible, following Simon’s original helmet. Although, for anyone that has built an ANH or ESB stunt helmet, you’ll know that the ears are always a game. So, trying to exactly replicate Simon’s original ears was not possible, due to the many variables (how is the back and cap aligned? Where are the holes for the screws, etc). 
 

I’ll stop waffling and post some pictures below. 
 

As below, notice how the right ear of this original does NOT follow the line of the trap, as is common with many stunt helmets. I’ve copied this with my replica. 
 

Unfortunately, my alignment (back and cap/faceplate) is not as I’d like, leaving the brow a little lower than the original. However, as this is because of where the rivet holes are, adjusting it would be very risky. 
 

 

 

Moving on, I have sprayed the helmet with Rust-O-Lium Fossil Green spray paint. This is to replicate the HDPE/PP plastic of the original helmet. 

 

 

 

 

Once that had fully dried, I added small areas of Liquid Mask. Later on in the process, the liquid mask will be removed, leaving what look like paint chips in the (to be added later) white gloss coat. 
 

You can see the blue/green ish coloured Liquid Mask in the below photos. 
 

 

 

Next up, a coat of Oxide Red spray paint. This is believed to be the colour of the primer used on the original helmets. 
 

 

 

 

And that’s all she wrote for now. I’m ready to apply the Ford Diamond White gloss coat when the weather allows (and when I get off my butt plate and DO IT!!) lol

 

More to come soon. :-) 

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

We now have a white stormtrooper helmet! Yay.

To be more specific, after the Oxide Red cost came 3 coats of Ford Diamond White spray paint. Here’s a little snippet of the spraying…

Painting my helmet ;-) #stormtrooper #shorts #rspropmasters #starwars #spraypaint #retro

And the results are as follows;






The final coat is applied quite thick( giving it the gloss/shiny finish. It’s hard to get the same shine over the whole helmet, however, the main parts are nice and glossy.


Here’s how it look against an ABS helmet (left) and another spray painted helmet (right).






Below, the beautiful lumps and bumps:






Next up, the hand painted details…

[CableGuy[TK]]

30mins or so with Humbrol Grey #5 and things are looking much more familiar.

(More details and photos to follow)…

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

More progress on this wonderful lid. This time around, I’ve been removing the liquid masking fluid.

Remembering back, the Vallejo Liquid Masking fluid was applied to the helmet (with a paint brush) AFTER the Fossil Green spray paint was added. Since then, the Oxide Red and Ford Diamond White spray paint has been added.

Gently removing the masking fluid reveals the Fossil Green paint, giving the helmet the illusion that there is a green HDPE/PP plastic helmet under the white spray paint, just like the originals.

Here’s a video of the process, including more discussion about the original helmets and a how to.

Now, for some eye candy;

















Work in progress.

Hope you’re enjoying the build so far. Any questions, just drop a comment here or on the YouTube video. :-)

Best wishes
CableGuy Dan

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

I have made some more progress on this RS helmet, including additional painting.








Here’s a video where I talk about the painting process whilst I paint. Lots of info in here:

And here’s how the helmet is looking now. As the OT stormtroopers were used, gritty, and worn, that’s how I’m making this replica.








Hope you’re enjoying the progress.

Best wishes
CableGuy Dan

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers

I’ve painted the vocoder and, being me, filmed the process and talked tips and tricks about the originals.

I also reworked one of the tears as I wasn’t happy with the vertical stripes.

I’ve also added the acetate lenses and the chin strap. It’s a real thing of beauty, this RS lid.








That’s all for now. :-)

[T-Jay[TK]]

Loving your Pink Floyd shirt. Seems we also share the same taste in music...

 

Oh and great job done on the helmet of course.

[CableGuy[TK]]

Hey troopers,

I’m back with another little update. I’ve now painted the tubestripes onto this wonderful helmet. I’ve also added the chin strap and foam Star, etc.

On the day of George Lucas’ birthday, the sun was shining here in the UK, so I took some “glamour” shots of the helmet, pre-tubestripes.












The following day, I painted the tubestripes (a nerve racking experience every time I do them) with Humbrol Enamel 109 (a different shade to the one listed in the CRL) and took a few more shots.











Nearly there, folks. I can’t wait to get it completed.

Best wishes
Dan