Jump to content

CableGuy builds my first Tie Pilot helmet (RWA)


CableGuy

Recommended Posts

Hey troopers,

 

As many of you know, I’m a bit of an OT TK nut (gasp). I’ve had my head in the world of TKs for a long time now and have learned a huge amount. However, there are some other amazing characters out there from the Star Wars universe, and the Imperial Tie Pilot is just one of them.

 

This kit is from UK maker RWA Creations and is a “fan sculpt”. It came complete with all of the parts to make and finish the helmet, although I added and/or modified parts along the way.

 

Here’s how it arrived:

 

1afc6f846a04e6f90bbf88ddea8325d4.jpg

 

 

As with many builds, I started with some pencil lines to draft my cut lines.

 

8d300670057475d2ff594c5e2bb16dc4.jpg

 

7f7f3e2f8a3cfee47100fc08a1d6e6ca.jpg

 

b63329429ab14b76af8346851523b1c9.jpg

 

d40feeac0fa623321746499cbd8769ba.jpg

 

 

The RWA faceplate is a little narrow, so I used a heat gun (carefully) and widen the top section of the faceplate a little.

 

0f4cbd4ea13a868a0f899085cb7a7eb8.jpg

 

e0e2120febd5914af6c75e4cd4345246.jpg

 

 

After the basic trimming was done, I started on the Mohawk.

 

0c3e100d8eda1c2f753d39d3ff4f203c.jpg

 

ed04bef3f0782c964b9058326d96705d.jpg

 

ce10623e0aa78db9b207bada15c248a4.jpg

 

Next, I used the supplied brass nuts and bolts and attached the faceplate and dome together.

 

I was careful to match the positioning to screen used helmets.

 

f20946055aef48d8d2db7e058df05fac.jpg

 

 

By studying reference photos, I noticed that the RWA trident was a little thick, so I trimmed it down a little - as per below pencil line.

 

cc06030a6c42cf9fe72841e04878653b.jpg

 

 

Another cool feature (one not carried out on a lot of builds I’ve seen) is the big cutout in the faceplate.

 

522f6d11e17324e10c89fa9cb13666af.jpg

 

 

 

da1a0749fc4971b6b7d194033f89d0e6.jpg

 

 

To stop the helmet having a huge gap here, this part was backed with an additional piece of black ABS.

 

7a2b945fff2b6ab08824a95237f128c1.jpg

 

04ba45b95acb9ca555ef64c17a18847a.jpg

 

 

Next up, I glued the trident in place.

 

0a0ba0f6d4398c12c7b92258bb166da4.jpg

 

 

With the main build done, I started on the painting. I used screen shots of the original screen used hero helmet of this style, then made a template using a CriCut machine.

 

The paint that I used here was Rover Gunmetal spray paint, painted on with a brush (not sprayed).

 

a9414218f4e054f3998bce85c0eac396.jpg

 

5c29b255a11de809c00ba710c42df516.jpg

 

e6208ded9051d74b3c5a65f28115d017.jpg

 

b320a99dcaebaf34dd7171206761bdde.jpg

 

More to come in the next post… :-)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Continued…

As I’m a stickler for details, I replaced the RWA greeblies with slightly more accurate one. Even the alignment is the same as the original helmet, as well as the greeblies being mounted BEHIND the trident, not on top of it.

b91b128cf6511789eddd8f969a3a189d.jpg


I also swapped out the decals for slightly more accurate ones from CFO.

cf0336e98842c4e110801979f7f08d29.jpg


f4bf5cd2ce9423b3c38f18e05ce7f098.jpg


I precariously attached the bubble lenses using hot glue.

eb5c3835195106415c5bcc0d7efb2642.jpg


Now applying the pill box on the rear.

b6c9a4c282c42b77fe9c77cb24773ae4.jpg


And now to some final glamour shots. I will add some weathering soon, but this is the completed helmet in clean form. :-)

dfbabe9fef41508892173a46eef81fc3.jpg

d03d46e71141530aff5f7e049722f13d.jpg

2fafa3806977b1272a3c6da7b2eca823.jpg

de43c4cf980950039fbfd1ff9ba83001.jpg

22afc668a19dfd62ccd2ee61403916e1.jpg

69c63b70a902f1aad32a9d79bf5ba4c6.jpg

1d0a5d4b0e06f1ec7d69c4d2d4397013.jpg

49ecfb330d28be91e9032bb68b746c01.jpg


Here’s some of the finer details in video form:




Many thanks for reading. Please ask away with any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. :-)

Best wishes
Dan (CableGuy)
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great build, Dan. :jc_doublethumbup:

 

Did the same, based on a Tie helmet from RS and even transferred all damages and scratches visible at starwarshelmets.com

 

What about running a black hose from hole to hole? (around the rear of the stand) ;)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great build, Dan. :jc_doublethumbup:
 
Did the same, based on a Tie helmet from RS and even transferred all damages and scratches visible at starwarshelmets.com
 
What about running a black hose from hole to hole? (around the rear of the stand)

Good thinking, Tino.

Knowing how good your work is, do you have any photos of your Tie? I’d love to (drool over) look at yours.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exceptional, one costume I must add to my collection at some point  

Thanks, Glenn. I assumed you’d already have one as one of your many costumes. It’s such a great helmet to build - I’d recommend it.
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 4/27/2022 at 9:20 PM, CableGuy said:

(...)   do you have any photos of your Tie?   (...)

 

Yes, but I didn't want to hijack your thread here, so I just sent you a PM with a link to the photos. ;)

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A little update for you lovely folks.

I’ve started some weathering my RWA Tie Pilot helmet. Work in progress at this stage.

I love that the Star Wars universe is used and gritty, just how I like replica props.

9efe857070749b370633e8c015b8ffdd.jpg

e6829f31369b495b242cf153026d4f16.jpg

b1aec55bdf9972a90e6868a2fdfc34b5.jpg

72cfc9ec7138d9045c2d32b3abdc3472.jpg

5f29651257afaa5783967c7169091b14.jpg

bf55e1b7b1bd8ff07a331e24bc78b9f8.jpg

d17b059774d0cb22451cfa464bcda04d.jpg

Need to throw it in a skip for a little bit for extra authenticity.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Hey there troopers,

 

Forgot to update this thread with my final overview video. In the video, I discuss the build process, painting, and weathering. Please enjoy. :D

 

 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...