Billhag

WOW!!,...Nice spot Mike Have you got that in Hi-res so we can pick out all the fine detail? Apparently the best shot of it is in a deleated scene of when Luke was fixing R2 Perhaps thay might reinstate it in the up and coming Blu-ray release...fingers crossed hey?

.....psst,....psst!! ....rumour as it, that it's being posted on Tuesday Mike, Fantastic set armor Sir, FISD elite for sure.

Arrr Man!!, I've been trying for years to find this sucker. I thought I had it too, when I heard rumours that a so called 'private collector' was willing to let it go. DAGNABBIT!!, missed out yet again Tony, my hat goes of to you Sir, exceptional find.....you truly are the 'DD' expert

Guys If you haven't already seen it, Andy's started an interest list over on a new post ---------

You've got to hand it to the guy,....he's taking 're-casting' to an whole new level He didn't even bother to take the bloody trims off FANTASTIC!!!

Luis Have you tried to PM Kevin to see if he could make you a set of Hero's? <_< Give it a go, what have you got to loose? He won't bite,.....honest!!

Matt It seems like it bothers some of the Disney boys as well judging by this photo ------------

Mark I was thinking more along the lines of Showaddywaddy Here you go Alan, a nice little explanation from 'Star Wars Helmets' The Tour Suits In the mid 1990's Lucasfilm produced a significant number of Darth Vader and Stormtrooper Costumes for various promotions tours around the world. As Don Bies, the Lucasfilm Archivist explains... There were a total of 18 Darth Vader's made for the Fox marketing campaign of 1995, and I believe 32-36 Stormtroopers made. Fox needed so many for different campaigns around the world, so they were sent off to places such as Australia, the UK, Italy, Spain, France, Mexico...A manual created by me accompanied each set (One Vader and Two troopers), explaining sizes of actors, how to dress, and how to act. Unlike the popular myth, the suits were not made for the Special Editions, although many of the Stormtroopers were used in some of the scenes for extra filming, as the many original suits were in bad shape. The ILM model shop, under the guidance of Charlie Bailey, made the Stormtroopers, and I believe they were created using styrene. The molds were fabricated by pouring plaster into existing parts (ESB or ROJ era suits), and cleaned up here and there--though many parts are not as sharp as their originals. Additionally, some smaller patterns were created new, such as belt and knee details. They also molded prop Mr. X. to go with the characters out of urethane. The Vader's were created by my wife and I under our company banner (at the time) of DNA Productions. The mask was cast in fiberglass, and the helmets and chest control boxes were vacuum-formed black styrene. Urethane details were cast to dress the control box, and stock electrical project boxes were used for the belt details. Grant Imahara of Mythbusters fame provided a digital "breathing" soundbox, as well as blinking electronics. The suits were made of fake leather (pleather?),as the budget would not allow anything higher quality. To the best of our knowledge, the costumes all made their way back to the archives and are occasionally still used, though many fan-built suits today are better, in my opinion. Some details and accessories of the costumes were lost (or stolen), but I think everything was accounted for at one time or another. One Vader and two troopers were destroyed in a car accident in Mexico--nobody was wearing them, as they were in a van in their crates when the vehicle rolled over. That suit was returned to the ranch for inspection and replacement, though it was never recreated No motorways or Rock 'n'Roll bands anywhere

Brian Get ready to do your best Homer Simson impression TIPS and HOWTO's (Tutorials) HOWTO: ABS raw edge mod, how to turn a raw edge and give it a return http://whitearmor.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=2313 It also as links to where you can find an hobby iron.

Simon You can get all your rubber trim for your helmet right here in the UK Neck trim Product No;-SWR150------------ There's a few guys on here producing lenses that will probably meet your needs, use the 'Search' or have a little trawl through the posts and you will definitely find them Hope this helps mate.

Luis Absolutely fantastic job mate You've totally changed the look and feel of the CE and I can see no reason why this helmet would not get 501st approval. Well done Sir!!

Gary It might not help,...but it would be great for watching films in 3D!!

Matt You might want to check out the booklet that comes with the eFX LE as its got some fantastic line drawings of a stormtrooper helmet. ---------

Mike .......I'm........speechless......totally......speechless..... WOW!!

Matt Hallelujah!!!, at last!. You know I've thought for ages that there surely must be someone in our community who as access, time and the ingenuity with these machines to take on a project like this.I agree with Nathan's comments that this will totally throw things up in the air and give a totally new meaning to the term 'Fan-Sculpted' if you manage to get it right. There's a guy from England who posts on the RPF who owns an original authenticated set of armour, minus the forearms I think. I can't remember his user name right now, but he may well be someone to consider approaching regarding measurements. I really hope you get this project off the ground and wish you nothing but the very best for all your future endeavours. Boy oh boy..........this is gunna be GOOD!

Kev It's available in loads of places in the UK. If you can't find it locally you can always try online -----

Peter , Andy Guys, talk about 'Great minds think alike'. Pure genius!!, I think the pair of you's nailed it to a T. It's so bloody obvious when you see it.....IT'S A SPRING!!!. It just makes so much sense, pull to release and the spring holds the hooks in the open position. Pull down to the base, fold the hooks and the spring holds them in the closed position. So simple, but BRILLIANT! I think so many of us were over complicating it and looking at it from completely the wrong angle,... "Well, I can get the shaft lathed,then maybe use an old Calor gas camping stove for the hook, then some bolts and washers from the cockpit of a B52 bomber". When you think about it, most of the original Star Wars props were constructed very simply, utilising and scavenging bits 'n' bobs from anywhere they could.They seem to have a "If it looks good, it looks right, then lets use it " ethos, and it worked. Who would have thought that an old sub machine-g*n fitted with plastic drawer rails, an old WW2 scope and some discarded electrical parts would make one of the most iconic blasters seen on film. Gentlemen, thank you so much for this break through.We finally have a light at the end of the tunnel. Andy please count me in for one of these when the project gets up and running And Brian, thank you for resurrecting this frustrating quest.

Brian there was a thred going a while back but it fizzled out. -------- There was also a thred on the RPF but that seemed to go the same way. I contacted a few prop makers who posted asking them if they would consider starting a project for a run of these, because I would be willing to fund it just to get them out there, but they all hummed and arrrhed and nothing came of it I'm still looking for somebody to do it so if you hear of anyone, or if anybody reading this fancys giving it a go then I'd be more than interested in one and if needed help in getting a project up and running

Kent I think the clue is in Mike's signature When Mike finishes this you're going to be one very lucky guy

Hi Baraan I think you find some of your answer here http://www.501st.com/members/join_how.cfm Here's is the 501st criteria regarding costumes Article II - Membership A. The 501st Legion is an inclusive, equal-opportunity fan club and will not tolerate discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, sexual orientation, or religion. The only requirements for membership are "ownership" of an accurate, complete, and professional-quality costume celebrating the Imperial (Dark Side) characters from the Star Wars films or its expanded universe sources, that the member is able to wear said costume(s) and that the member must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Membership is granted only after an application is made to the Legion and by a Garrison Membership Liaison (GML) assigned to the prospective member's geographic region. Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed as listed members of the 501st Legion club. The 501st claims no responsibility for minors at events that are hosted or attended by its members. I think the key word in there is "accurate" Take a good look around the FISD and I think you'll start to see what the bare basics are and whats required for 501st standards. Hope this helps.

PS Here's the cut out template for the plastic casing that someone was kind enough to pass on to me.Saves a lot of trail and error *Updated*

Brian Great find you have there mate Any real counter is better than a resin copy but if you want 100% authentic then its got to be the 'Eagle' logo.Out of all these marvelous late ones I would go for the 6 digit which is very close to the originals. When you get chance pop over to http://www.partsofsw.com/ and have a look around, its a fantastic reference site. If you fancy an early style metal case non 'Eagle' counter Joey had some on offer a while back and they were brilliant..here's my little collection I have knocking around at the moment

Mark Fantastic work mate, you've made it look like a completely different helmet. Well done Sir!

Sorry Jim, just reread my post, and I can see that I had a bit of a 'doofus' moment there. I must try to get more sleep You are 100% correct sir.

Brian The AP kit comes with a PVC type belt and looks OK but definitely not authentic. Mark (firebladejedi) is being exceedingly modest because he just so happens to make one of the best darn canvas belts around. They are also available from Gundamzeppelin check them out and see what you think AP KIT ----------