Hasbro ESB Fett to ROTJ conversion.

[jhfagan]

Greetings all!
Well, here we go.
Got my BS Fett a few months ago, and shortly after, my EFX Fett arrived.
My EFX ESB Fett is already giving me the best authorized ESB Fett out there, and I don't need another ESB , so I made the deep dive decision to convert the BS ESB Fett over to ROTJ specs, as much as possible w/o tearing the whole thing apart.
The bones of the BS helm will serve up the base to a good ROTJ refurb.
I've already masked out and sanded the BS helm down a bit smoother, primered, and loosely followed NidofTyranid's pics of battle damage locations on the helm with my steady dremel tool, then applied the silver base.
So, this weekend, will begin the mask out process for the silver, and dark grey colors, ( according to the ROTJ stencils thread) and paint up of the helm with Rustoleum spray cans best matching colors according to the 501st recommended pantone swatches.

Costuming:BobaFett ROTJ Grunt Color Palette - 501st Legion Databank

databank.501st.com

Hunter Green, Moss Green, going to try Olive ( couldn't find Sage in stores, anywhere ), Navy Blue, Claret Wine, Rustic Orange, Metallic Aluminum, Matte Black, Flat Grey, and Satin Clear to finish.
I'm just going to do the small white and black and scoring details by brush after the rest is on since there is barely any there underlying.
I am going to leave in the original inside detailing intact, as there's nothing wrong with it, and no one's ever seen it on screen anyway, so who's comparing how it should look, right? : )
More to come as it comes! : )

 

[tykyu]

My God. You're moving incredibly fast.
I love it!
Saw some pics on fb of repainted BS helmets, but never an ROTJ. So excited to see what you come out with

 

[jhfagan]

My God. You're moving incredibly fast.
I love it!
Saw some pics on fb of repainted BS helmets, but never an ROTJ. So excited to see what you come out with

Thanks! Yeah, so am I! lol
Of course I love me some ESB Fett, being the first film introduction, and I like the design better anyway, BUT, ROTJ has it's charms, and no one has put out a licensed ROTJ Fett yet, and sorry...I'm not spending a month's mortgage for a fan made piece...no matter how good. My collectibles spending $ only goes to authorized, authentic products.
But, this is also very personally rewarding to do the work and have (hopefully) something nice to look at (until EFX or next licensee comes out with a good, accurate ROTJ ).
My BS Vader mod turned out STUNNING, so I'm confident that this will be just as good.
Original on left, and completed mod on right.

 

[jhfagan]

Feldercarb...I hope I didn't pull a noob no-no.
Can I post non Fett related pics in here? : )

 

[tykyu]

Thanks! Yeah, so am I! lol
Of course I love me some ESB Fett, being the first film introduction, and I like the design better anyway, BUT, ROTJ has it's charms, and no one has put out a licensed ROTJ Fett yet, and sorry...I'm not spending a month's mortgage for a fan made piece...no matter how good. My collectibles spending $ only goes to authorized, authentic products.
But, this is also very personally rewarding to do the work and have (hopefully) something nice to look at (until EFX or next licensee comes out with a good, accurate ROTJ ).
My BS Vader mod turned out STUNNING, so I'm confident that this will be just as good.
Original on left, and completed mod on right.
View attachment 192230View attachment 192231

Most impressive.! Excellent two-toned paint with the gunmetal. Do you accept commissions on custom paintjobs like this for BS helmets? ^^ hahaha

 

[jhfagan]

Most impressive.! Excellent two-toned paint with the gunmetal. Do you accept commissions on custom paintjobs like this for BS helmets? ^^ hahaha

Well, we'll see how this goes with the ROTJ Fett mod, to see if I just got lucky w/ the Vader. lol

 

[jhfagan]

Well, we'll see how this goes with the ROTJ Fett mod, to see if I just got lucky w/ the Vader. lol

The Vader did however, lend itself to upgrading the inside detail as well.
Not sure how the Fett will do with that.

 

[jhfagan]

Progress so far.
Lightly covered the Rustoleum Metallic Aluminum ( only used silver for the dent) on the dome and lower cheeks with flat gray , then lightly misted up with Tamiya NATO Green until the color got where I wanted it.
I think it's pretty much right on.
The Rustoleum Hunter Green on the back panels works great.
Gonna let all this dry next 24 hours under light fan air, then masking back up for the upper mandibles for Navy Blue.
Progress will be posted.

 

[tykyu]

Looking good!!

 

[ShortFuse]

Looks good. If you take off the rangefinder, it would make your life much easier.

 

[jhfagan]

Looks good. If you take off the rangefinder, it would make your life much easier.

I thought of that, but it's already a loose fit as it is ( being plastic ) and I've already taken it off and back on a time or two, and don't want to make it any worse. It's a HUGE P.I.T.A. to take off anyway....you think it's going to break, as hard as you need to pry it off.

 

[ShortFuse]

Yeah, I’m aware of how much of a pain it is and how crappy it is. That’s why I had no desire to keep mine. I’ve replaced mine with the correct size parts. Keep up the good work. Interested in seeing how yours turns out.

 

[jhfagan]

The NATO Green was just a little TOO green as I let it dry and checked under natural light.
Applied a fine mist of light grey to dull it down a bit, and then added a fine fine layer of Tamiya Olive Drab to blend in with the NATO and still retain a bit of the dullness from the grey.
Was referencing every shot of Fett on the 4K disc of ROTJ on my 65"UHD TCL, and allowing for the lighting variances during the film, the amalgamation of the color, along with references to the actual prop from the Magic of Myth shots online, I'd say we have our color.
I'm done F'ing with it for the evening.
Gonna let it soak in and will assess it again tomorrow to see if masking out for the upper mandibles will be next.

 

[jhfagan]

Daylight revealed much better results.
Just needed another mist of Moss Green for more "color", and a layer of satin clear to "wet it up" a little.
And yes....my Standard Ed Don Post Vader from the 90s is seen lurking below. lol

 

[tykyu]

Shaping up real nice.... We're getting closer!

 

[jhfagan]

Cheeks done.
Navy blue over silver, then a misting of BBQ Black over the blue, just enough to have a hint of blue present.

 

[jhfagan]

Again....daylight reveals all. : )
Subtle dark blue with a hint of black sheen.
Nice.

 

[jhfagan]

Got the upper mandibles visor and head band color on ( Claret Red for base, and VERY super light mist of Brown primer).
Upon inspection of the visor after removing the now caked on tape, found a visible knife line in the plastic of the smoke colored visor.
Soooooo.....
Having to have removed all the internal panels in the helm to get the visor out, I've been motivated to add some detail paint to the interior, and possibly search out proper ROTJ ear/rangefinder replica pieces and a darker tinted visor, or way to repair the knife line.
Base colors look good though.

 

[jhfagan]

Killstripes taped up, masked out, and ready to paint.

 

[tykyu]

!! Ooh, let's see how this comes out ^^