tk7602's HS Aluminum Helmet Progress

stormtrooperguy

Sr Hunter
I got my HS helmet today!

It's heavy in hand, but feels fine once it's on. If you've ever worn steel maile, it's like that...

I didn't really do much of anything cleanup wise. The RotJ helmet is so beaten up that sanding it all perfectly smooth didn't seem to make sense.

I did the deep gouges all over the thing using various dremel bits. It's WAY easier to cut grooves into fiberglass ;)

1 layer of latex down, then I sprayed primer. I used 3 different shades of grey primer on it... I'm hoping that works out as desired later, but we'll see.

Right now I don't have any great pics... just quickies I snapped while I was down there.

As shipped:
photo.jpg


Masked and primed. You can see the big cut on the forehead.

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You can see the latex here:
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I'm going to need to grind out the RF side ear area... my RF stalk is thicker than the groove.

After the primer dried, I masked again... some of the grey will show through in the final product. I painted the back of the helmet and the cheeks.

Hunter green for the back and Hunt Club green, black and navy blue for the cheeks. Photos to come!
 
That's looking so awesome....

doing a great job with this, can't wait to see the finished product.

i have to ask though, were you tempted to roll it around on the floor, or kick it to really give it some battle damage? Also, i know i must sound like the worst noob ever saying this, but what is the significance of the latex? is it for painting, or to cover up bits while painting?
 
Uh oh ... here goes the speed painting again!:lol: Hey Brian, where was that 1st picture taken? Did you get the helmet shipped right to your office?
 
That's looking so awesome....

doing a great job with this, can't wait to see the finished product.

i have to ask though, were you tempted to roll it around on the floor, or kick it to really give it some battle damage? Also, i know i must sound like the worst noob ever saying this, but what is the significance of the latex? is it for painting, or to cover up bits while painting?

i did the battle damage to match the original as best as i could... kicking wouldn't get me there, but a dremel did :)

the latex is for layered weathering... paint the latex on, paint over it with your paint of choice, rub the area with the latex underneath and the paint will peel off, exposing the lower layers.
 
Well it's after lunchtime.. That has to mean it's done! :D

:lol:lol:

He won't stop until he finishes! :cheers

you laugh... i was up until almost 4 painting it. all of the latex and all of the base colors are all down. i just haven't put up pics yet :)

tonight i peel back the weathering and start detailing it!

i ordered a visor last night. hopefully it will come by friday and i can wear this at a con i'll be at.
 
sweet brian! i didnt even know you got this...im dying to see it done in person! you are truly a metal fett now!
 
Cool to actually see on of these being painted. As far as I know I have only seen the three Jangos I painted and the one Jedi Fett Chrima painted.

Oh - DON'T INTENTIONALLY DROP IT. It is Virgin aluminum and although it is tough and metal it CAN crack from sudden impact. - Just a public service announcement for all the metal heads out there.
 
worst progress thread ever!

ok... so um... there was primer.

then there was more latex on top of the primer. the idea here is that there are some spots around the helmet where grey shows through.

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next i did the back:

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and from there i completely stopped taking photos until this:

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here it is on me. it isn't padded inside yet, so it's sitting a bit low on my shoulders (and the vest isn't even closed in the back, so the armor is sitting oddly too!):

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i got a LOT done in 2 days, but i've still got quite a bit to do.

that's the visor from my ms3 helmet, taped into place. it doesn't actually fit though. i've ordered a properly sized one that *should* be here before the weekend (big con coming up!).

i have to install the rangefinder, and it needs a bit more detailing. i did a lot of the scratches tonight, but my hands started to hurt after a while.

i've ordered a borden connector for it... i'll make up a quickie one for this weekend though.

it needs padding, and the chin strap installed (thanks to FP for the chin cup!)

working on a metal helmet is neat... you can scratch and gouge all you want... never gonna get through the silver finish here!

size-wise, it's 3/4" wider and 1/2" deeper than my MS3. which means i'll have room for an interior kit in there!
 
Wow very nice! I have always wanted to see these metal parts in their full potential. Um..speaking of nice...uh nice pictures in the background(y)
 
Man!!!! That looks awesome! :eek: You're really ripping thru this project.
Hope the event you're going to doesn't have a metal detector at the door. ;)
 
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looking at it in fresh light this morning, i mostly need to spend more time on the dome... small scratches, dirt, etc...

i'm pretty happy with the face, since that's what i really focused on last night. i need to tone down the orange stripes... WAY too bright! should be easy enough to do, though re-masking them will be a pain in the rump. while doing that i can also fix the couple of them that are too skinny.

i need to scratch up some spots in the stripes too, but since they are getting repainted, that wouldn't make sense now.

my visor shipped yesterday morning via priority mail, so i'm hoping it comes in time. the one i have is soooooo close... 1/4" longer and it would be FINE.

i don't see the borden connector coming any time soon, so i'll probably slice a bit off of a metal rod and drill a couple of holes in it.

i'm loving it so far though! i'll try to write up what i did once it's all done. someday i'll actually take REAL progress pics, not 2-3 then its done!
 
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