OBrotherRacing
Hunter
Wow! TRULY from "scratch!" Well done!!
Last edited by a moderator:
Scratch build McQuarrie concept Vader helmet.
- Thread starter OnnoHeesbeen
- Start date
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
Indeed, often scratch building leaves me more in control over the shape and materials then using existing parts.
- - - Updated - - -
Building the mask out of Polystyrol and adding details and refining the shapes.
It’s hard figuring out the shape of the mask underneath the helmet. After all it’s not rendered in the sketches. But that is also the fun of such a project to improvise. McQuarrie’s early Vader sketches had a lot of facial expressions in the mask compared to the end result in the movies which is more expression neutral and more machine like.
Also took a shot of both the Vader and Fett helmets for size comparison.
- - - Updated - - -
Building the mask out of Polystyrol and adding details and refining the shapes.
It’s hard figuring out the shape of the mask underneath the helmet. After all it’s not rendered in the sketches. But that is also the fun of such a project to improvise. McQuarrie’s early Vader sketches had a lot of facial expressions in the mask compared to the end result in the movies which is more expression neutral and more machine like.
Also took a shot of both the Vader and Fett helmets for size comparison.
Last edited by a moderator:
redkraytdragon
Active Hunter
Last edited by a moderator:
T
toolguy301
Guest
Absolutely awesome work.
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
It’s awesome you think they are could enough to re-produce them, but I’m not building these helmets with re-production methods in mind…for me it’s purely the fun of constructing them and have them on display at home.
- - - Updated - - -
While the mask progresses I started thinking of the “eyes” and how to create them. The lenses of a toy Vader helmet are too small. Lenses of sunglasses aren’t spherical enough, I even thought of heating a flat piece of transparent plastic over a large spoon (actually not a bad idea) Then I remembered a store that sells half transparent plastic spheres. I bought a set of 12 cm diameter and they fit perfectly in the eye sockets. Now it will be more easy to construct the cap of the mask.
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
Next update on the mask, I created the dome of the mask. Initially I also made a back part for a full dome, though it fitted on my head it was too big to fit inside the helmet. I cut the back part off the dome, visually it does not matter because it’s not in sight, so now I’m thinking of installing a couple of elastic bands on the back side so it will fit over and stay on my head.
Had a lot of trouble with the pipes on the sides of the cheeks. A complete pipe was not flexible enough to get it to curve, now I used a half “U” pipe which warps better, but I never expected it would be so hard to glue those pipes. Though bought at the same model store the pipes are from a different kind of plastic then the plates I used on the cheeks. I use Revell plastic model glue, normally it melts and hardens perfectly, but the pipes don’t and kept popping loose. Super glue worked “best” after adding multiple layers and a bunch of swear words. I’m satisfied with the result, now let’s hope they stay in place (dreading the time when I’m going to install the bottom pipes!)
Had a lot of trouble with the pipes on the sides of the cheeks. A complete pipe was not flexible enough to get it to curve, now I used a half “U” pipe which warps better, but I never expected it would be so hard to glue those pipes. Though bought at the same model store the pipes are from a different kind of plastic then the plates I used on the cheeks. I use Revell plastic model glue, normally it melts and hardens perfectly, but the pipes don’t and kept popping loose. Super glue worked “best” after adding multiple layers and a bunch of swear words. I’m satisfied with the result, now let’s hope they stay in place (dreading the time when I’m going to install the bottom pipes!)
Last edited by a moderator:
BlueMilkRun
New Hunter
Amazing to watch the whole process on this! Absolutely inspiring! Thanks! Already a beautiful piece of work.
Last edited by a moderator:
RichardJones
Active Hunter
great work, this is a very inspiring build. you have really done the original drawings justice!
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
Great to hear you all are enjoying the build, last weekend I have been focusing on the neck/bottom part of the mast.
Once the neck is finished I plan to cut the back part off, so It can be attached to the front part like a neck brace.
Once the neck is finished I plan to cut the back part off, so It can be attached to the front part like a neck brace.
Last edited by a moderator:
redkraytdragon
Active Hunter
Fantastic build! Just loving it!
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
A couple of busy weekends, so I had to put the helmet down for a while…not necessarily bad,
it made me reflect and decided to remove the neck brace and make a new one.
I wasn’t satisfied with the first one, it looked like it had no logical shape.
Now I rebuild one that flows more and fits the design of the mask.
Also took a little bit off the rim of the helmet. Now it resembles the illustration more.
Next I will add a layer of fiberglass and filler to the dome of the helmet, neck brace and top of the mask.
it made me reflect and decided to remove the neck brace and make a new one.
I wasn’t satisfied with the first one, it looked like it had no logical shape.
Now I rebuild one that flows more and fits the design of the mask.
Also took a little bit off the rim of the helmet. Now it resembles the illustration more.
Next I will add a layer of fiberglass and filler to the dome of the helmet, neck brace and top of the mask.
Last edited by a moderator:
This is AWESOME! Nice work buddy! :cheers
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
Thanks "Darth VoorHees" it's a fun project, translating a concept sketch into a 3D model.
--
first layer of fiberglass applied to the helmet and mask
--
first layer of fiberglass applied to the helmet and mask
Last edited by a moderator:
OnnoHeesbeen
New Hunter
First layer of filler applied, also sanded roughly.
Note: the helmet is positioned loosely on the mask, now it’s too low at the back.
Eventually it will be a bit higher so that the back side of the neck brace will be visible below the helmet.
Note: the helmet is positioned loosely on the mask, now it’s too low at the back.
Eventually it will be a bit higher so that the back side of the neck brace will be visible below the helmet.
Last edited by a moderator:
Absolutely amazing work ! Have you put any thought into the paint color ? I want to repaint a vader helmet the same. Most images can seem black but with different lighting the blue or purple tones show up. I'm really bad with colors so I'm hoping you can help
Last edited by a moderator:
redkraytdragon
Active Hunter
Man this thread just keeps getting better and better...keep up the great work and keep those pics comin'!
Last edited by a moderator:
