RS Prop Masters

OK, as SW 1 enquired about the level of detail the plastic would capture, here are a few shots of the finished faceplate we are using. This is from a brand new tool, from our silicone rubber internal master, created just for this plastic type. Thanks for the great comment Paul, we are indeed pleased with the results.

Details oh yes, I will get a photo of a finished face plate tomorrow. We are still finishing the back and cap, but it's so close...... This was more about the paint at this stage.

Thanks guys. Some areas were masked, but it was really not required, to create an actual chip you just need to create a flex in the plastic, the paint will flex to a point, but as its not bonded in the way say ABS and paint bond, it doesn't really flex with it, it's then likely to chip off. I think that describes it? It's almost like the paint is an outer shell. That said, this helmet never had the rubber added to the bottom, which would help to protect it. If you are wanting to troop it I would think it would look lie a screen used lid after a couple of troops, the biggest issue would be transporting it between events, I would imagine it would get more damage that way than when worn. It may be possible to 'flame' the pastic to hold paint better, but that is not really the spirit of the helmet and we don't feel it's a test we want to perform.

OK guys, just wanted to get this out there, some of you guys will have seen these on our facebook page so will not be news but most will not have seen them yet. We have been working off and on with this for many months now. The "HDPE" family of plastics are a horrible plastic to work with but we are now getting a consistently good result. So, we decided to paint one of the test pulls to see the reaction with paint, and evaluate the colour of the plastic contrasting with white. We found that the paint came off real nice, so handling it and moving it around the place for the past few weeks has added a nice weathered look. the white is painted over a red etch primer, and the ears are white abs. So please enjoy these images, we think we are just about on top of a pretty accurate stunt helmet

Looking forward to it too!

Yep.

......got to be purple and gold polyester Y fronts, 70's style!

Thanks guys, now let's tell the real Stormtrooper story........

Dude, you listen to your wife?

Cosplayer! We don't get it so much over here, but cosplay here seems to be Anime based, and looks, well, less professional shall we say.

Yes buddy. We have pulled a couple. We should really release details about it.........

That is my kit, been too busy making TKs for other people, your own is always last on the list.........

I know, we had no ANH blasters to hand, but at least they are Original LFL ESB blaster

Yes, the suits were assembled by Mollo at the studio. As we see the helmets built in the photo with AA I assume the helmets were pre assembled? But not with paper fastening

RS Prop Masters have now been around for a busy and eventful twelve months. In that time, we have offered the Stormtrooper world their first chance to wear a unique replica of the original A New Hope Stormtrooper. Along the way, we have made some great friendships, not least with the talented Brian Muir, perhaps one of the most respected sculptors and artists in the British film industry. During his vast career, spanning more than 4 decades, Brian has worked on over 70 films and is currently sculpting props for Thor 2. Having had the opportunity to speak to Brian, the original sculptor of the Stormtrooper armour, on numerous occasions, we’ve found him to be a great, down to earth guy. We have talked for hours at length about Star Wars and the creation of the Stormtrooper and Brian’s detailed knowledge relating to that amazing Star Wars period continues to astound us. Today it is with great excitement that we have an announcement to the world that when embarking on this project we never dreamed would be a possibility……………… Brian Muir has agreed to endorse the RS Stormtrooper and confirm that it is indeed the closest and only replica available of his original sculpt for the movie Star Wars. We are so proud to have Brian working directly with us. Another first for the Stormtrooper purists out there. More details about how this will change the armour we offer to follow shortly, but we hope you find this turn of events as exciting as we do. RS Prop Masters and Brian Muir - The New Hope for Stormtrooper Armour

Also, Bran told us all the suits were built in the studio under John Mollo, and AA had no part in this.

Hi Gary. OK, we talked to Brian long and hard about this and what he could remember. He is sure that around half a dozen suits we made by the studio to go to Tunisia, the first part of filming. He has some info regarding this re dates etc, I will ask again but it's all centred around February 76. It was all happening then re armour and the helmet sculpt. Brain told us he saw suits before AA was involved, (one of which could be in the test fit video Brian has, which is an incompete suit) and these were to be sent to Tunisia. Obviously we were curious as to if the studio made any helmets too, but Brian never saw any. Together with the "hdpe" material it makes sense that AA pulled all of these, but we had to ask. It would be great if the studio ad pulled some "hdpe" helmets but I guess we will have to believe AA with the pond story. Brian went on to say that the studio went on forming other things, such as panels for sets and subcontracted the TK's to AA. It would be difficult to know anything for sure, but I personally think the odds on Simons being one of the studio suits has to be less likely than the higher number AA suits, but then, the 3 button detail and lack of shoulder straps always brings you back to Sandtroopers and just maybe this was an early suit. That said we then have the odd holster, which is seen on screen on a TK. The fact that it is a odd design is also interesting, and could suggest an early suit, before they changed the design. The holster is quite interesting, it's like the pattern is correct, but it was constructed inside out, or back to front, so the blaster won't fit due to the magazine. Lastly on te suit, we don't even know for sure it was one suit. If it was rescued from "the dumpster" maybe it is parts of several suits, but if thats te case it's all sized for a guys around the same size - slim. That opens another line of interest as maybe all the suits were one size, when I measure the details on the raised sections at the rear they are very uniform, for example all the outer returns around the back are one size, say from memory 45mm and the inners are 55mm, to suggest all the suits were made to one spec. I know Jeremy got the Boba Fett role because the suit fit, this could also be true of the Stormtroopers.

Yes, looking at the suit the brackets were face mounted from the start, however, we cant be sure. We can see what look like original brackets mounted, then the larger type riveted after. Of course, they could have been on the return which was lost due to damage, then moved to the face, we just don't know. here are some images. Inner left side, we believe original. Outer left side, we believe original. Inner right side, repair with original holes visible. Outer right side, repair, with original holes visible.

No, nothing has changed, there was always some extra around the back. We needed to add material to create the tool. Were yours not need some trimming? Well, there are some floating around, but no, these are some really nice S Spring snaps, very close to the Newey ones.

Well I though I would post up a build we are working on, I really don't get to post as much as I would like. First I use a 10mm Template to mark the front cut line. We start at the front, as it has the detail we want to keep as close to the original as possible. The finishing cover strip is 20-23mm. If it makes you feel better, they are not very square and can be 2mm out along the length of them. If you are a bigger guy you can use this to add a little to the front. Here we have boths side cut, using the 10mm template, giving us a 20mm join area, plus the slight line we decide upon with the template. The parts are then taped internally with decorators masking tape. You can see the left thigh lines through at the top and bottom very well, the right will need to be out of alignment at the bottom to fit properly. This is covered with the knee ammo belt. It was not sculpted this way, the issue must have arisen during the tool making. Cover strip added. For PVC we are using superglue, which is faster to work with than ABS glue. Inside the front raised section we add a small off cut to add strength, as the original. The original suit has the off cut only in the left thigh, but the right we assume would have had one, which is now missing. Now we can address the rear closure, sizing as required. The originals are real slim. Front view. You can see here the misalignment of the right thigh at the top and bottom, before the knee ammo belt is added. Rear view. This creates a neat line with the butt plate. Again, it looks like an tooling issue that stops the line of the right thigh meeting correctly in the front. This is present on the original, and so the replica. Torso, with vintage style S spring snaps (replica) added Internal image, showing the wire frames before elastic is added. You can also see the crotch elastic, applied with a split rivet has been fitted. Vintage snap in the butt section. I know some suits had two here, but ours has only one (hole, actually the snap is missing). This raises an interesting question, as I understand Centurion requirements require 2 here. here with the original to compare. Holes punched for the split rivets. Notice also the face mounting of the brackets (thanks Dennis ) Fitting the split pins. This can be daunting, as they need the use of a hammer to open them up. External view of pins fitted. Head size 8mm, colour nickel. We glue the elastic straps in place. I know there are thoughts that these were sewn, but all the elastics on our original are glued (as far as we can tell) no cotton stitching can be found. Adding in the shoulder straps. 45mm white elastic, with large sew on snap fitted, this will be used to mount the shoulder bell. Torso is looking a little more complete now. Needs the 4 button greeblie and the straps before its finished.

Hello Jason

Great build, loving it.

Loving the video! Yeah, the detail on the frown on Simons is very faint, it just does not come through using ABS or Hips, or PVC come to that. I am pretty sure it is picked up on the khaki lids.

Its 20mm, but in reality 21 or 22 is fine, the originals are not even too square and vary along the length by a mm here and there. Thats the front, 24-25 for the back. All the strips on the legs are 20(ish) except the rear shins. Rob.

I 'think' we (in the UK) call it pinseal, but I am no expert. Its a textured ABS, thats what my supplier calls it, but I have not got into it deeply. Which suit bro? Well, the original is 1.5mm smoth abs, glossy, we had our abs made to match it