Clone Wars Mando Bucket

I really liked the look and paint schemes of the Mando buckets in the group shot of the Mandalorians in the Clone Wars trailer. So I started playing around with a damaged BKBT Jango bucket I had. At first my plans were to use an old motorcycle benie helmet as the dome to give me a narrower look, but it was too small. I ended up spliting the BKBT dome to decrease the circumference by about 1". I also narrowed the front visor, shaved the unwanted ear areas off the rf side, and will extened the bottom of the helmet by about 1/2"-5/8". Today I'll begin working on the two ear pieces and then start smoothing everything out with body filler. Here's the progress so far.:thumbsup

Enjoy,
Cruzer

Nice ! Your off to a good start on this. I was thinking of doing this to my bucket , I was just going to make it longer. You have taken this to the next level. I don't know if I have the patients for what your doing.

Looks pretty cool Cruzer.

cant wait to see the finished product

Thanks guys. I wasn't happy with the cheek areas being a standard Jango shape, so I've begun modifying those as well to try and replicate the cartoon version cheeks. Just waiting for a flat sheet of fiberglass to dry on a board, then I'll trim and glue in the cheeks. I also finished each earpieces. Each one required having to glue three similar pieces to get the needed length. The one on the right in the pic has the channel similar to that seen in the trailer.

Other than the sharp corners on the visor, let me know if anyone see something else that needs tweeking. :thumbsup

Looking good! Keep up the good work. Should the helmet be lying flat on the table? I'm just wondering cos I know that Clone helmets have a different rim shape than Mando.

nice, cant wait to see it finished.

Thanks guys.

Ordeyn, the bottoms of BKBT's Jango helmets aren't flat, so I'll continue that detail for this helmet.

I couldn't leave the cheeks alone because they were still looking too much like standard Jango cheeks, so I spent the morning working on them and have finally come up with a cheek shape I like. I'm hoping the high cheek area will help emphasize the elongated feel of the helmet and bring it closer to the look of the animated version. Here are some before/after shots comparing the check areas.

Also included the ref. pic I'm primarily using for design cues, borrowed with thanks from the Mandalorian Mercs site.:thumbsup

NIce work! I've been wanting someone to attempt one of these, and your work is always top notch! The bar is being set very high, people.

Thanks bro. One more update. The earpieces are temporarily being held in place with t-nuts and bolts. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the cheeks.:?

Giving it a light coat of rattle can primer allowed me to see some of the imperfections I need to change, as well as some of the design features:

1. Reduce the cheek area about 1/4".
2. Area around the visor bottom is narrower on the left hand side when looking at it.
3. Enlarge the bottom angled areas on both ear pieces.

I'll start there. I thought about the possibility of narrowing the entire helmet more, but I'm afraid it might make it uncomfortable/unwearable. Right now it has a good general feel as far as the size is concerned. I'd compare it to the size of a screen cast Jango...but longer.

Let me know if anyone sees anything else that could be adjusted to give it more of that "animated" look/feel.:thumbsup

Thanks,
Cruzer

Looking great so far bruv... :thumbsup

looks great

pretty good lookin so far :D

you are the Master of Helmet
Good Job

Tonight I finally finished all of the adjustments.:thumbsup

:cheering That looks awesome Cruzer!!! Are you going to paint it? mold it? sell it? ???

Thanks. I'd like to be able to make a cast where the silver parts are cold cast, so this weekend I'll be picking up supplies to begin making a molding of it. :thumbsup

Awesome work Cruzer... :thumbsup

I wasn't happy with the symetry of the cheeks, so I spent quite a few more hours working on them, as well as making the areas more level/flat where the earpieces go so they'll sit flat when glued in place. I then painted everything early this morning with a coat of professional auto primer and will post pics when it's dry and I've had a chance to sand on it.:thumbsup

that looking really good cruzer =)

i'm loving this! looking fantastic. i want :)

Initially this project was just going to be a Jango helmet repainted animated version!:wacko

Awesome work Cruzer!!!

wow, i just joined and i am amazed at how much skill and patients you guys have!

Still lovin this bruv... plans for copies? ;)

Thanks. I can see offering a few fiberglass copies in either gelcoat or cold cast finishes. :thumbsup

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mojo-Fett

Still lovin this bruv... plans for copies? ;)

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OH! I get it now. I thought you were doing a clone/mando cross. But you're not! Your'e doing a mando from the clone wars. I'm super smart....as you can see.

It looks awesome!!! Very precise to the pictures. :D Well done and good work.

Ok, here is the final version and comparison shot next to a BKBT cc Jango helmet. This weekend I hope to begin the mold. The ears will be cast separately just in case it turns out I don't have the placement correct once more ref. pics come out.:thumbsup

Awesome creation ! This looks great you can put me down for one.

Ok, time for a small update. The first layer of silicone is curing on the ear pieces. Additionally, the fiberglass jacket is curing on the helmet and should be ready for demolding later tonight.:thumbsup

You're amazing man, great work!

Ok, the molds are completed and I should have the first cold cast pull out by tonight. I'm hoping to have this assembled with a removable visor and the paint began by this weekend. So now I just need to figure out the paint scheme.:thumbsup

very very very nice!:cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cruzer

Ok, the molds are completed and I should have the first cold cast pull out by tonight. I'm hoping to have this assembled with a removable visor and the paint began by this weekend. So now I just need to figure out the paint scheme.:thumbsup

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I love it :)

I'm a bit surprised that we haven't seen the mandos yet. They are holding out on us! Do you have the Clone Wars Season 1 DVDs? In the book that's included, there is some mando concept art at least.

Looks great. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Thanks guys. I'll have to check out those concept pics if I ever buy the dvd. I'm very excited about how this helmet has turned out and really excited to try my hand at the animated paint scheme. One thing I can't figure out is if the mandible areas are one or two shades of blue?

That looks very nice. Keep it up!

Looking good! Can't wait to see your first cast. :D

done:thumbsup

How the heck did I miss this you are a mad man Cruzer. Outstanding work my friend.

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! :D

how much you selling these for cruzer?

I was able to steal a few hours yesterday to work on the helmet. Now I just need to pick up a new shade 5 welding visor today and install it. In the meantime here's a few sneak peak photos with a temporary visor tacked in place.;) :thumbsup

vey nice cruzer love it

NIce work!

Can one still see out of a shade 5 visor? I am working on a helmet and was thinking of getting a shade 3 because I was worried a shade 5 would be too hard to see out of.

Shade 5 are the proper screen acurate Fett visor is I remember correctly. I use them exclusivly in all the helmets I made and have no issues. A little dark indoors if the lightings dim otherwise no worries.

Great work Cruzer...!! very clean casts! :thumbsup

Awesome man !!!!!!!!!!!!! Gooooooooooooddddddddddddddd Work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leo

amazing absolutly awesome

Thanks guys. I think shade 5 is good for outdoor sunny events, and shade 3 is good for indoor or evening events.:thumbsup

I finally finished the visor this afternoon. I tried to stay with Jango'esque type colors for the paint. The back area around the key slots is painted with Krylon Short Cuts Ocean Blue. The lower cheek areas are a combination of Rustoleum Royal Blue as a base and then Krylon Ocean Blue misted along the top. The dome is painted with Rustoleum Dark Grey Primer. And the insignia is a mixture of white, camel, and yellow mixed together with a finger. It was weathered by misting it with the dark grey primer and then cleaned up and dulled with 0000 steel wool. The silver areas are aluminum cold cast.

Right on! I also put that MR pad inside my Jango helmet. I think it feels better than any liner I could put in and spaces it perfect. Is there a new suit in the works, or just building the helmet to sell?

very nice cruzer your work is awesome

Thanks. Yeah, the MR pad works well. My wife would kill me if I tried to build another suit, so this was just a personal experiment in helmet design and mold making. Plus I really wanted to try this paint scheme.:thumbsup

Managed to take a few shots outside when the sun came out for a few minutes today. Also included a few "clean" shot before it was weathered. I've had my fun with this helmet so look for it in the cargo hold very soon if anyone's interested. Thanks for the support in this project and I had fun sharing the progress with everyone.:thumbsup

very nice, very nice indeed

turned out awesome man!

i get to be the new owner of this bucket =)

I'm new to the forums and all I can say is WOW! Kandossi vod! Just WOW!

Cruzer, I can't believe I missed this entire thread until Brian pointed it out. Amazing job! I can't say I'm a fan of custom Mandos (sorry) but this one being a character seen in the new show isn't custom is it? ;-) Really well done and beautiful craftsmanship!

Excellent workmanship Cruzer! EDIT **Looks like an NEW category of Mandos will grow.

Double post, someone need to do the armor.

Just saw this thread.and WOW!Very nice. Are you selling these?

Thanks guys, glad you like it. I had a lot of fun making this helmet. I had so much fun that I'm right in the middle of painting another cold cast copy that I hope to have done for a get together with some fellow SW fans this Monday. I also have an extra cold cast one in the molds that I'll be pulling out this weekend. The one I'm currently painting has bascially the same rattle can colors and shade 5 welding visor as previously, but this time around I'm going to try and make a printable stencil for the emblem that can be cut out on tape. I've got the backside blue drying right now and can post a few pics when I get a chance.

Utopia, I've only made one other copy, but I do have the molds just sitting in my garage collecting dust. PM me if you think you might be interested.

Apparently these guys will be featured in the next issue of Star Wars Insider #115.

Thanks

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...NOV091072H.jpg

I'm already deep into my comic-style Fett or I might attempt thearmor. It looks really simple.

Dang it, do I dare take on another project?

I LOVE that helmet!

The Helmet looks awesome buddy. Can't wait to see it this upcoming Monday. Have a safe trip up here in The SF Bay Area. Lucas's backyard... :D ...hehe!!

That looks amazing. I really like the transformation. You did a great job on this project.

I was trying to think of a word to describe how awesome that looks, but I couldn't come up with anything. The shape combined with the color scheme makes the helmet epic win! Nice work!

PM Sent.

Pm sent bro.
Just finished the second helmet. I went a little different with the emblem on this one and tried to replicate the design seen on the SW Insider cover pic. The pics in order are clean, misted with Rustoleum charcoal primer, and weathered.
:thumbsup

Strictly awesome. wish they had announced this a month ago before I started Jodo. might have to try to do 2 projects at once. and this might go to the #1 position if I can work out some extra cash. that helmet the CW armor yeah would be cool like the holsters as well. I wanted to do a Custom with that same set up for the leg holsters.

Nice seeing this bucket up close last night at the screening!
Good to meet you to Cruzer. That’s a dope lid you have there.

Yeah, it was great meeting you too bro and getting the chance to hang together at LFL was awesome. Not to mention getting to meet Dave Filoni was surreal!;) Here's what happened when I handed over my bucket. :thumbsup

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...04220-Copy.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...04222-Copy.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...04224-Copy.jpg

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...04228-Copy.jpg

Great helmet Lorenzo! Whenever you get the chance, can you send the pic to either Dean or I, the one with us, Dave & Mary. Thx! How was the crazy drive back yesterday?

Thats amazing! Great job!

Hey Buddy! I hope you manage to have a safe drive back home with the weather and all. Wish you and your Sis could had stayed a bit longer in the S.F. Bay Area for a grand tour. Obligations (Work) comes first which I understand. I hope the helmet is now displayed in the living room without any hesitations if you know what I mean.......heheh..l :lol

Glad you manage to drive up here and hang around...."LFL"
Dude! That helmet is so awesome......It was also funny to see Dave Filoni expression "Eyes popping ou't when he scene it. :suprise Now You did it.....now everyone in Lucas Arts Dept wants a helmet...hehe!!:cheering

he sign it :O Oh Nooo! It's not screenacurate anymore :O !!!!!!!!! xD

Awsome ;)

so cool! i'm loving that helmet more and more. normally i'm not a fan of big signatures on props, but that bit of original art rocks.

helm looks sweet u could just pant it one 2 match ur curent armor and maby make those bracer pices (which i like better than the regular bulky ones btw) and u would have the look about right for the clone mando armor

cruzer lets trade bucks lol

Nice work on the Pre Vizsla bucket CRUZER, you should paint the next helmet the Death Clan color scheme, no symbol on top, the mandibles are blue with the metal shadow (opposite Pre Vizsla's bucket). Check the background guys on that front cover you have posted, you'll see what I mean.

that's pretty awesome, Cruzer:cheering

Well at least we know that not all mandalorian helmets have to have range finders LOL! Great helmet...it will be worth something seeing as you got it signed. Nice job!

Are you going to make a production run? Or even a limited run?

Very nice work on the bucket , well done

Great work on the bucket ner vod.

WOW Cruzer thats one great looking bucket, you did an outstanding job on it. Its great to see that DAve signed it for you as well. I got to meet Dave this past year at Disney for SWWs he's and his wife are both super nice people. I joined up over to start a Cad Bane but since have changed my mind on it. I got the new Insider before I seen this project on here. Then I seen the last 2 eps of The Clone Wars along with your work and now I wanna do the Mando outfit from the show. I really hope your planning on doing a run of this helmet, I would for sure be up buying one from you.

Again AMAZING work and skill Cruzer.

that looks sick. great work so far , wanting to see its finished product.

Thanks guys, glad you approve. There are no runs planned for this helmet, however, I'm more than happy to make one here and there when time allows.

PM sent....

Can you post a pic of you wearing one from the side? I wonder how it sits on the head in relation to the shoulders.

The trick was making it look enlongated and yet still wearable. This is with a 1/2" foam pad...
http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC04337.jpg
http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC04340.jpg

I think you mastered that TRICK! It looks really good.

Thanks. I wondered how it would sit.

Ok, Vadersblade was perceptive enough to point out to me the helmet's earpieces both have channels. So these new ear pieces will hopefully be molded this weekend.
To those members waiting on their helmets, all of your helmets are made as well as the one accurate ear pieces. Just give me till the end of the weekend and I'll get you the more accurate second ear piece.
Those two members that already have their helmets in hand, I'll start work on your new ear pieces as well.
Thanks, Cruzer
http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC04342.jpg

sent you a pm

PM replied to, thanks.

Ok, the silicone has been poured and the new ear piece mold will be done this evening.
This weekend I'll also be starting an Ep2 Jango armor conversion to animated for a member that's wanting to recreate this suit. I'll be tackling the cod and shins first.

Hey Cruzer, if you need any assistence with templates for the plates etc, one of our Mercs members has made templates. We also have a CRL written for it if it would help you any. Also, Woodchuck has the pistols!

Thanks bro, I checked out all of the info you mentioned and all of it was very helpful.
Here's the start of my experiment with trying to convert Ep2 Jango armor to animated Mando armor. I basically trimmed the tops and sides of the chest pieces, and rounded off the bottom of the collar piece. I'm using both the animated illustrations as well as pics of the upcoming figure as references, and trying to find a complimentary representation between the two. Next I'll move on to the shoulders.

I'll take all the constructive criticism out there.

http://i383.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC04349.jpg