Helmet builds for my two brothers overseas

I assume u're wanting the ribbon on the side to be the campaign ribbon, the one shown is the GWOT ribbon, Iraqi Freedom has a seperate ribbon (just FYI) but those are awesome. The one thing I'd suggest is stencilling their name on the back, I don't know if the Navy does that or not but it is common in the Army and Marines to have your name on the back of your helmet (if not on the front) and the rank placement is perfect. Also, I don't know how u did it but the camo patterns are awesome. Great work and I think they'd be proud to have 'em. I know I would... well... except I'm AF...lol

Yeah I am aware of the ribbons and such. I couldnt find a good shot of the back of a Mando Helm so I just did the front.
Yes the Ears will contain the ribbons, most likely bottom half being standard ribbons and upper half being unit awards.
The overall shot was just something to get the placing right where I want things.
I went to MCRDPI but got sent home after a month for a heart palpatation so I would be right there with them if it hadn't been for that.
Their names will definitely be stenciled, most likely under the traditional seal of the Navy/Army.

As for the camo design, I found an image of a sample of camo, brought it into photoshop, clone stamped it, masked off the helmet areas, inverse selected, then painted it in with a brush. I used another mask to define the shadow area of the cheeks and then inverse selected followed by black paint brush at 21% in layers to achieve th top underside of the cheek being a little bit darker. The helmet itself was grayscaled first followed by a little hue saturation and color replacement. It worked so thats all I care about lol

Not sure if I am going to stick with the new blue camo for the Navy helmet though, its a little fugly in my own opinion. I would rather do a white helmet with dark Navy blue, but I also want to go with the current choice of the Navy for camo. He is a seabee too so that also pushes me away from the camo idea because he actually will never wear Navy camo ever. He wears classic desert BDU's and sometimes standard BDU's. Dont know why, just the way they like i I guess.

The helmets will be mostly for display, however I plan on fully incorporating everything I can into these such as voice amps, Fans, bucket skirt, LEDs in the RF. I've only got until April until my brother in the Navy comes home so that should set a good deadline for me to get these done. The Army brother comes home in August. Should get the raw casts fo them about the first week of March. We shall see!

Thats the National Defense Ribbon not the GOWT just FYI

if im not mistaken thats for joining during wartime right?

national defense is just for being in service during said "conflict"

Originally Posted by SuperTrooper

if im not mistaken thats for joining during wartime right?

This one! Have to join durring a conflict, there was a few people who came in a year ago i think who didnt get it cause we werent "at war" I was confused when I saw them without the ribbon

Aside from the ribbons, what do you guys think of the actual design of the helmet?
As for the ribbons, I will include the ones they have earned to date.

Being a former military guy. I love the designs man. Those are great. Hats off to you for doing that for your brothers.

OK... yes u r right it is the ND ribbon, (I looked at my uniform... u're absolutely right) and it is for "service in defense of the United States during a time of conflict" according to the documentation for the award. I don't know why the new ppl don't have it, but come to think of it I've noticed the same thing, a lot of new ppl don't have the same ribbons... I came in 2 yrs ago and I received it immediately, I also have the GWOT (got that one after 6 months) I get 'em confused from time to time.
Back on subject, I personally like the look of the buy'ce w/ Navy camo... but if he's a SeaBee they don't wear the new stuff because it doesn't blend in... ANYWHERE except for in the water. I'm suprised they don't wear the MARPAT tho. I actually ran into some seabees in the BX a few days ago and they were wearing the old BDUs... I asked them why then, that's what they told me. Dude I can't wait to see what you do with these, I'll be watching intently because they look like some awesome concepts.

Hopefully will get up a concept shot of the back of the helmet too just for reference. Helmets should start to take shape sometime in early March as thats when I should receive the casts. Heres to an insane paintjob trying to do the camo.............maybe test some fabric glued on with fiberglassing resin with a clearcoat over it.......once again just a test to see how I can manage the digital camo on the helmet

well... I know that there are some companies who make the digital stencils for rifle stocks... I don't know if that'll help u or not but it's something to consider. Like I said I can't wait man... I REALLY want to see these things when they get done. I think it's great what u're doin' and ur brothers are really lucky guys.

Thanks. I sure hope they appreciate it. Im sure they will though as they have always had fun putting my TD helmet on randomly.

The stencil idea is a good one too! I hadn't thought about that! I'll get looking into it to see what I can tun up.

I know that for a similar effect I am going to be using carbon fiber vinyl for my mass effect helmet......of which should be getting started here over the weekend if I'm lucky with some slushcasting going on

Awesome bro! I love the concepts. I really like how you did them up.

El1te

Mate. Both of thoes helmets look great!
Love the designs, and they both look very natural in those colours!
Great job!

Im happy to say that the helmets should be arriving sometime monday and from there it will be a fast build on one of them to get it done for he first brother to return home. I'll try and keep you guys posted with the progress. Thanks for h positive feedback on the designs!

Looks great. Make sure you get the Army ACU colours correct. There are several versions.

yeah the camo patterns are going to be the hardest part. I'm almost wondering if there is a way to laser print the design onto some automotive vinyl and I would just apply it that way with some spray adhesive to back it. i'll see what I can turn up

This is a cool idea! Very nice concepts. Youre going to have two very happy brothers.

Got the helmets in the other day and I've already started sanding away at these babies. Excess flashing from molding has been removed and the helmets just need to be spot filled in a few little areas. left mandible needs to be adjusted just a smidge but thats what the oven is for. The ear caps and RF stalk/top have been primed and painted awaiting a good sanding and second coat in the morning. Visor, rear area and RF bolt areas need to be cut on both helmets in prep for the first coat of paint. Got most of the sanding done on the helmets and a coat of primer to fill smaller imperfections that filler isnt any good for. All awards, qualification bars, ranks, flags, USN and Army pins are either in my possession or are on their way from the supplier. The only things I still need to get are the RF bolts, visors, and a little padding for the helmet interiors.

What is the best way that you guys know of for attaching the ear caps and for mounting the RF to the RF stalk? I've read enough here on the thread to understand how to mount the visors. Plus a little practice with my TD.

Thanks for the input guys!! Pictures coming soon. Most likely some progress pictures tomorrow before I get too far into it so I have a pretty good look at how things went.

Using magnets is what Id recommend for the ear caps

Well I've finished painting the earcaps and RF, gotta apply the RnB to the RF stalk though. As for the earcaps though, should they be glued on the helmet and the magnet part only be the part that coveres where the bolt is located for the RF stalk?

BTW doing some light bondo tonight hopefully and just general detailing to get the helmet prepped for paint. Gotta cut out the visor and order the visors still.

Originally Posted by Fett 4 Real

This one! Have to join durring a conflict, there was a few people who came in a year ago i think who didnt get it cause we werent "at war" I was confused when I saw them without the ribbon

Give'm ten minutes, they'll issue them for the next war...

Ususally it takes honorable active duty service during wartime in an area relating to said war. It is also issued to fresh airman, soldiers, marines, seaman etc. when joining during wartime. Also anyone who is guard or reserve and becomes eligible for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, or Southwest Asia Service Medal is automatically qualified for the NDSM.

Hope this clears things up

http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/natdef.shtml

The helmets are coming along nicely! The paint is done and the Army helmet has the camo done on it. I just used an ACU camo bandana and cut out the pattern and used spray on contact adhesive like that is used with formica countertops and its not going anywhere! lol. The Navy helmet is done with paint but I am awaiting a valid source for the new NWU camo to install it on the helmet. Should happen here in the Next few days but we'll see. I may have found a place in North Carolina but we'll see about that. Trying to find a place thats a little bit closer. Need to stop by radioshack and get some small blue and yellow LEDS for the RF top, and also some silver and gold RnB for the RF stalks and helmet domes. Still need to find and order some mirrored Blue and Gold T-visors too.

Just for my own organizational purposes:
Needed:
RnB stalks and dome
LEDS blue and yellow
Navy digital camo
Mirrored blue and Gold visors


If anyone has a lead on where to get a nice mirrored visor for as cheap as possible please let me know! I've searched high and low and I have yet to find something I like. I could always go with the face shield for the 3/4 HJC motorcycle helmets that are Gold and Blue mirrored but they are in the mid $30's and I'm only going to get them ordered if I can't find them anywhere else. Even just a mirrored plastic sheeting that is gold and another that is blue will work. Doesn't have to be made for a visor style application but I have to be able to see out of it once installed. Thanks to anyone who can help!!!

Originally Posted by SuperTrooper

Ususally it takes honorable active duty service during wartime in an area relating to said war. It is also issued to fresh airman, soldiers, marines, seaman etc. when joining during wartime. Also anyone who is guard or reserve and becomes eligible for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, or Southwest Asia Service Medal is automatically qualified for the NDSM.

Hope this clears things up



http://www.gruntsmilitary.com/natdef.shtml

I hope I didn't offend. I just meant that there is always seeming to be a "next time" for those that didn't get involved this round or came a bit too late. I've been in long enough to have been awarded two or three of them (old, I know) There will always be another conflict for those to participate in.

hehe no offense taken. I just figured I would clear some things up.

anyone know of a transparent blue or gold paint to use on a clear visor?

I wish... I'm trying to find a blue mirrored finish for mine.

Well I've got a few pictures of my work for general opinion. Its still in progress so tell me what you think.

looking good! Can't wait to see 'em finished!

You could add matt clear to the navy and see how it looks? I like were this is going though so far so good

Wow! Makes me wish I had a cool younger brother!

I might try and do a flat navy blue and then do a gloss clear coat over top of that. that way it goes down smooth and I can possibly do some neat effects by glossing some areas and not others....we'll see. ordering the navy digital fabric today online, picking up some epoxy to attach the awards and quals, and picking up some RnB either today or tomorrow for doing the stalks and possibly some other tidbits.

YOu are not going to like this but you have the ACU pattern camo the wrong orientation. You need to turn it 90 degrees.

Yeah I'm aware of the orientation issue. Unfortunately the only fabric sample I could get yeilded enough to cut them out in the arrangment they are in. Plus they are on with countertop adhesive so they definitely arn't going anywhere. It at least gets the whole design of it going, but I will be sure to arrange the Navy camo in the right way. Luckily I ordered a yard of the stuff.......maybe I'll see about getting a new ACU bandana so I can get it right. Kind of bugging me now that you mention it.

well both helmets are built and ready to attach visors and awards. ordering some custom colored visors about $30 a pop. here I was trying to be frugal. oh well. pics coming soon! I want to get the visors installed first.

just like I promised. No visors yet, but the RF tops are good to go

Pretty cool designs. Probably the first time I've ever liked digital camo on a Mando helmet. Then again, these are special themed helmets so it fits. Can't wait to see them complete.

I've got the visors incoming, and will be purchasing some mirrored gold and blue window tint to complete my concepts. I want to see how they look with just smoke first though so we'll see. camo is also a possible, and if I order it, it will be here sometime next week most likely. still need to attach the awards and qualifications. can't wait to make some more progress on these!

Well after taking a little longer than anticipated to complete, the first helmet is done and has been given to my brother Jason now that he is back home on RnR. Here are a few pictures of it. The other Navy helmet is taking a little bit longer as I want to incorporate more variations of blue into it if I can't find a solid supplier for the new Navy digital camo design.

Another thought I had is adding a kill stripe for every tour they complete. An idea but I'll see how they like the helmets first