WiP: CSK225's GMH Progress Thread... this will be a long one :)

[CSK225]

Ok, I figured it's time to start this thread. I've never done anything like this prior so this is a project of learning at the same time for me. I got the helmet on the 28th of May and have been struggling to find the time to work on it. I decided to do all the cutting and trimming prior to giving it an acetone bath. I've done a lot of sweating and made only a few marks that will require filling.

I have to say, the casting on this helmet is flawless (Kudos to Chris!). As far as mounting the ears, I've decided to use glue on everything for the time being in anticipation of metal ears in the near future. I don' t want to drill any holes that may not necessarily match up with those in the future. I've obtained an original switch (thanks to Jinto!) and an SX-70 for the RF in anticipation. I should get a borden connector before I do any heavy work on this.

The only trimming I have left to do is thinning out the top of the visor which will be the hardest part due to it being very difficult to get at thanks to those cheek indents.
I was initially torn about which helmet to do on this. Aside from the obvious PP2, I think this would be ideal as an ROTJ helmet. I'm highly biased toward the ESB however (that IS Boba Fett as far as I'm concerned). The ESB helmet is so much different than the rest by comparison that I'm almost reluctant to do it. But, I can't help it... I have to have ESB. ESB or bust, baby! This will be a rattlecan job as my wife would kill me if I went and bought an airbrush for this.

My project today was to finish filing out the keyslots. That didn't take too long but I had to use a metal emery board to open the horizontals enough to get my file in there.

Ok, on to the photos... these are 640x480 for the time being in the interest of space.

[RafalFett]

Looking good. It seems that Cristmas has came sooner this year for some of you guys. Lots of happy kids!

[CSK225]

Ok, here's a short update... I've thinned out the upper rim of the visor with no damages incured... WHEW! I'll be installing a liner and chin strap tomorrow I think. That should work out just swimmingly. I'll update with photos of that when I'm done. I've yet to get a piece of perspex for the visor, but I don't anticipate any issues installing that. Here's a couple shots with the visor and keyslots trimmed out... finally! These photos here also have the RF from my old dp96 attached (sort of). The scale on that piece is actually right on the money!

[BGHunter]

Nice work ,, but please tell me that RF is just for refrence you arnt going to use it are you?

[CSK225]

Reference only

[deadland]

Looking good keep up the good work.

[KaanE]

Reference only

Don't be shy! Tell us the truth!

[CSK225]

EDIT: post duplicated below w/photo.

[CSK225]

Don't be shy! Tell us the truth!

Ok. The honest truth is I'm painting mine to match the Don Post version!

I attached my chin strap today which also meant attaching the antenna. I will post a pic shortly.

Edit: here's a phot with the strap attached and the headliner in sitting roughly in place for reference...

[CSK225]

Quick update... went to Airgas and got a visor, cut it out this morning and temporarily duct taped it in. I don't want to cut the bottom until the holders are in and everything's placed.

[CSK225]

Ok, I'm done with the "construction" phase on the main helmet. My head gear and chin strap are in and the visor is attached and trimmed up. Everything is removable so I should be able to start the painting process next. That will be the tricky part. I will have to put in an MQ-1 board but that can wait until later because I won't have to reef on anything with that piece (and risk screwing up the paint in the process).

Putting the visor in was a real pain. I went with the chicago screw method because it required a STRONG base to pull the mandibles in. The film helmet verion would not have worked because it just wouldn't hold the mandibles in. The only thing I will be required to do at the very end is put a touch of hot glue on the bottoms of the mandibles just to keep them from moving around. They don't move now but I want something there should it get knocked against something. I've only used two screws to hold the visor in and it's TIGHT!

[RafalFett]

That's a beautiful helmet interior. If the paint job will be as good as the interior is then you will have an amazing helmet in your possesion. Good work so far...

[CSK225]

Here's a short crummy quality video for those of you on the fence about buying one of these. This suckers' really got "the look".

[KaanE]

[BGHunter]

Is that the ESB deleted seen

[CSK225]

Ya'll like the dramatic stock youtube audio track?

[JimmyC]

that was some really ominous music.. i was really expecting something bad to happen... Very cool though..

my bucket is still on order I'm soo stoked to get it. its my first Boba bucket...

are you trying for screen accuracy?

Looks awesome so far.. Good luck with the rest! I'm going to have to keep an eye on this thread..

[Dahone]

Looks great....I had a bit of struggle getting my visor in properly as well.

[CSK225]

That visor really was tough. I need to adjust mine a bit to pull the mandibles together a little bit. The verticals seem a bit too wide. That won't be too tough anyhow. The nice thing is that EVERYTHING is removable off this so I can paint with no worries. I'm also considering getting a shade 3 visor. Shade 5 seems awful dark. I can have both and switch them out as desired.

[Roninson]

The GMH is such a great helmet (I see one in my future, though I can already hear the shouts about money spent).

Btw, what liner are you using? Looking forward to the progress on this paintup!

[CSK225]

The liner and chin strap came out of an army battle helmet. Real military grade goodies

[CSK225]

Ok, update... I've painted the interior flat black and primed the exterior. Question: Does the primer appear too dark? Will this be a problem? It lightens up pretty nice in the sun, but the diffusion when it's overcast seems awful dark. See the pics below. Also, does anyone ever steel wool or wet sand the primer to smooth it out a bit? It seems awful rough... even for a base. It may just be me - I've never painted a helmet before. The pics are all 900x900.





Also, as an aside, if you're considering putting a switch in for the RF, BE CAREFUL! You WILL be required to do a major amount of cutting. The switch will NOT fit without trimming out the holder quite a bit. This is after sanding down the switch itself. Secondly, I'd be very curious to see the antenna base on the PP2 to see what they did. I had to trim out a large section of the antenna base to reduce the radius to clear the upper back corner of the switch - it sits a fair bit higher than the arc line. I'll post a shot of it with the switch sitting in later today or tonight. I don't know why I didn't take one when I took this one. Just a tired oversight.

[Sixxgunn13]

Looking great so far, keep em coming!

[CSK225]

HELP! I have a question. I was putzing around with my DP96 using it as a guinea pig. I did a test run of Rustoleum satin moss green on the dome. I'm thinking with weathering and oversprays on top that this might be the color I'm looking for! I need some quick feedback on this. I haven't buffed it down yet, but it looks good. Am I crazy?

Second question: ESB cheek insets... I'm thoroughly convinced they are flat black from every single photo I've seen. Could somebody point me to an image that actually shows that PPR green is what I'm looking for rather than flat black?

[hammsterdam1943]

CSK255 What did you use to secure the helmet liner to the inside of the helmet?

[Fett 4 Real]

Bro thats the color I like for ESB...not what everyone else uses but I think its spot on myself

[CSK225]

Fantastic! I thought it was right on the money myself. I just don't think the dome and cheeks are any darker. Any thought on the cheek insets? I really am convinced they're black. I need someone to convince me otherwise.

Here'a a pic of my GMH primed and 'silvered'. I've buff the silver out a bit with a lint free kitchen towel. The second shot is my DP96 with the moss green. I'm trying to shade it as best I can so the color comes through better. Warning: larger images.

Thoughts?

[Fett 4 Real]

Well your doing ESB? Ummm heres where u went wrong...u didnt fill the chips and score marks for PP2....and didnt add the new ones for ESB. Check out my thread here http://www.thedentedhelmet.com/f23/w...been-up-40149/ I filled the chips and scratches and made new ones and also painted it ESB with the moss green and flat black cheeks...bunch of other colors too

[CSK225]

I know.... I was planning PP2 and custom ESB sculpt. I'm torn now playing around with my DP. I know work is required if I do ESB...I was just looking for that thread last night! Thank you friend.

[Fett 4 Real]

it works for ESB bro u wont be disapointed

[dynamic1]

This is looking great man! Listen to F4R hes a real asset when it comes to accuracy!
B

[RafalFett]

If you do the ESB paint scheme, then don't forget to repair the dent too. I mean the area around the dent (this is specific to the PP2 only).

As for the upper cheek black I think this image is enough:



If the decal on the ear is flat black then the upper cheek black is for shure a more lighter color.

[superjedi]

The Brunswick Green is another one of those odd colors that at first just looks like black, but has some other tones going on.
I've actually used it for black on other items. But I'd recommend it over flat black on the ESB cheeks.

[BGHunter]

As for the upper cheek black I think this image is enough:



If the decal on the ear is flat black then the upper cheek black is for shure a more lighter color.[/QUOTE]


Just an FYI the decal is actually from a letra set press on and they are just black,
though I lie grimmy black for the upper cheeks

[CSK225]

Black is black and textures won't make black a different color. Although it can make it appear different.

[CSK225]

Ok, I've decided to rattlecan it. I picked up most everything I need. For the back of the helmet I tried something a bit different (on my test piece). The back seems to have a definite blue note to it and, not being able to find the proper color, I did a base of rusto hunter green with an overspray of rusto midnight blue. Let me know what you think. They seem to blend very well into what I'm looking for. Donn't mind the heavy blue spot... I got impatient. I buffed it down a bit later (not shown) and it seemed to blend even better. I also picked up a different color for the muddy overspray because I couldn't find boot brown. I did, however, find rusto cinnamon and that seems real close. Opinions? I also put in a shade 3 visor today instead of the 5 I had. It seems much closer.

[Fett 4 Real]

looks pretty good I had a paint hunt this weekend myself no where had spruce green for this dang jetpack

[CSK225]

I didn't see sage green anywhere, either. I almost bought that olive you were talking about a couple days ago and now I can't find it. I also have to get the bauhaus... that looks right on also. What did you use for the back and the stripes?

[Fett 4 Real]

the bauhaus gold is reefer yellow SAME color...all at walmart normally i found a close alternative this weekend to the gold which was marigold yellow in rusto...but its more yellow than the krylon...the olive u need for the ear or camp green is a new color its the new primer plus paint in one...the sage green ummmm? I dont know that I used sage spruce is for the armor...the moss green is what ur looking for though...at home depot and true value (ace harware maybe)

[CSK225]

Spruce, sorry. I mentioned it because you couldn't find it. I was just saying I didn't spot it anywhere either. Wasn't looking for myself. I've got my moss already, remember?

[Fett 4 Real]

Ahhhhh yeh yeh I do i thought u had...and walmart had it just not the one near my house

[DarthVeach]

I mentioned it in another thread but if you guys are having trouble finding any Rustoleum colors and have a Menard's nearby, go there!! They have just about every paint made by Rustoleum, including Zinsser primers. An entire isle of rattle cans at mine, not just one little section like Home Depot.

[Fett 4 Real]

my HD has a ton of rusto...everything but spruce though haha grabbed two at walmart just incase...theyre the new cans though which did spray very nice

[CSK225]

I've got three huge Menards stores plus H.D., yet I have to go to Chi-Mart for Krylon. Menards here definitely has a better selection of rusto colors and primers. I didn't see any spruce green today though. Perhaps my area had a huge influx of jetpacks.

[CSK225]

CSK255 What did you use to secure the helmet liner to the inside of the helmet?

Sorry, I didn't see your post there. The liner is held in with the original hardware that held it in the army helmet. It's a chicago screw setup, but I turned it around so I'd not be required to drill into the helmet. I used 5 minute epoxy to hold the posts in.

[CSK225]

Hey, F4R... are you sure that's bauhaus gold you used on the right earcaps? It seems awful yellow to me. Let me know, thanks!

[Fett 4 Real]

ummmm i used that for the kill stripes bud the ear cap is olive green parika and dark grey

[CSK225]

Yeah, I figured that out now. I thought the implication was that bauhaus was the 'gold' you used on the right ear... what did you use on that? Not the left ear. The antenna ear.

[CSK225]

Oh wait! Khaki! Nevermind! My mind ran away with the bauhaus being a 'gold'!!! I only sprayed a test piece, so no worries there.

[salamanderking]

you need my rc servo set:-)

[Fett 4 Real]

Oh wait! Khaki! Nevermind! My mind ran away with the bauhaus being a 'gold'!!! I only sprayed a test piece, so no worries there.

LMAO...thats right u got it same thing as the back of the helmet u have to do it krylon then rusto to keep it from cracking and all

[CSK225]

Ok then! Anyhoo, I did that up today and it will require some weathering on top of course. So, first piece with some actual paint upon it.

[CSK225]

you need my rc servo set:-)

I need my wife, too... decisions, decisions... Perhaps one of these days!

[Fett 4 Real]

Ok then! Anyhoo, I did that up today and it will require some weathering on top of course. So, first piece with some actual paint upon it.

which khaki is that looks like the krylon?

[DarthVeach]

Is that the Krylon Camo Khaki?? With nothing else done to it? If so, I now know I got a bad can of it a while back. I sprayed it as an undercoat for a trooper helmet and it was nearly brown! That ear looks great!!

[CSK225]

No, it's rusto flat camo khaki. I have to do some mild wet sanding to bring a hint of the silver out underneath yet.

Hey, F4R.... great pick on the paprika! BANG ON!!!!

[Fett 4 Real]

I know right! I saw it and was like YES! kinda like with the night tide... the right ear looks good the flash is making it look lighter than it is i think.

[DarthVeach]

Then that makes sense! I ended up using the Rusto Camo Khaki and it is a great color!

F4R I have to ask, who makes the green paprika?? This is a new one on me. And GREAT call on the moss green!

[Fett 4 Real]

yeh the krylon is the wrong color the rusto is a better color for sure...

[CSK225]

Short update: I masked and painted the base colors on the left ear and it will, of course, get further detailing by hand.






By the way, Veachy, the Italian Olive is krylon, sorry. I can't send PM's from my phone.

[Fett 4 Real]

were you gonna go ahead and fill in the PP2 damage and replace it with ESB? once ur done flat clear that thing and mist with the boots brown for the rust color check out the AOSW pics of the helmet to see the pattern its on both ears

[DarthVeach]

By the way, Veachy, the Italian Olive is krylon, sorry. I can't send PM's from my phone.

haha, thanks! I looked at the post again and I thought "olive green paprika" was the name of the color, which I was confused about since paprika is reddish!

[Fett 4 Real]

lmao yeh Italian olive krylon, Paprika which is rusto