vader.html

Darth Vader

On This Page you find out information on where to get a Darth Vader Helmet Finished or Unfinished and all Parts to make a Complete Costume. How To paint your helmet, what type of paint and the difference between the Movie Helmets used in the film etc.

All you Darth Vader fans that are wanting a Licensed Darth Vader Helmet, there are several to choose from if you can find them On the net and Ebay. But Know the difference before you buy so that you are not disappointed when it arrives. The Darth Vader helmets can Be found made of Plastic or Fiberglass

1) Don Post Deluxe - Cast in Fiberglass this is the most screen accurate helmet available by license (no longer made try EBay).

2) Don Post Classic Action - This version is the same size as the deluxe model, but cast in vinyl (no longer made try EBay)

3) Don Post Standard - much smaller than the the other Don Post models, the same size as Ruby's (No longer Made)

4) Rubies - Small and poorly made even though it says deluxe it is the same size as the Don Post standard, there is also a one piece rubber mask called deluxe as well.

5) New Rubies Fiberglass Helmet Limited Edition, Looks about the same as the DP deluxe including the wrong paint scheme

6) Master Replicas Darth Vader helmet dual signature edition, Signed by both James Earl Jones and Hayden Christensen ($$$)

7) DARTH VADER HELMET AP (ARTIST PROOF) Working in partnership with the talented folks at Lucasfilm Ltd., Master Replicas ($$$)

There are a variety of fan made helmets on the market, you might want to ask around before you buy one of these on EBay. Including a reveal helmet that shows every part of the helmet as Luke took it off of his Father in the death scene of Darth Vader. (Be prepared to shell out some bucks for one of those.)

Episode IV - A New Hope
Helmet Information

Rounded points on the tusks,No black area above the upper shin tube on the right side.

Dusted appearance in paint finish.

Slightly larger dome and Thicker edge.

Pronounced Widows peak. Sharp and narrow center stripe.

Helmet mounted with only three stripes of Velcro.

Small triangular chin vent. Smaller mesh size in the mouth/chin Vents single layer. One tusk is black, and one is silver.

Red Lenses

More Info when looking for a ANH Vader helmet

V or Widows Peek at the bottom of spin of helmet's dome
Correct two-tone paint scheme.
The ANH helmet was not as shiny as the other versions, thus not as noticeable. It had a more dusty or semi gloss appearance not exactly a flat finish. Optional
The right tusk is "tarnished" this is one that is left up to however if you want it screen accurate right tusk is black see pics below.
Chin vent is very small in the ANH version.
The ANH lenses were tinted a dark red....not an effect of lighting. According to the insider issue 77 in the ask the master section someone asked if Vader's eyes (the lenses) were red in ANH or were the eyes playing tricks on them. Insider confirms the lenses in the ANH helmet were suppose to be red in appearance. And its not just in the cockpit scene the magazine shows Vader in an earlier scene also with red lenses. This is optional costumers.
Black vent material behind openings

Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
Helmet Information
HERO
Dave Prowse.
(The ESB helmet/mask is believed to be a retooled ANH Helmet/mask

Both tusks are silver. No Widows peak. Softer and wider center stripe. Gloss appearance in paint finish.

Large triangular chin vent. Large mesh size in the mouth/chin. Vents dual layer. Black area above the upper shin tube on the right side appears.

Rounded points on the tusks. Slightly smaller dome than ANH. Thinner edge than ANH.

STUNT.

Bob Anderson.

Both cheek areas are cut out and replaced with lexan see thru cheeks to allow Bob Anderson, better visibility during the fight with Luke on Cloud city.

STUNT.

View of Stunt Helmet from behind.

REVEALED.
All though the ESB reveal helmet only appears for a few seconds on ESB, it’s clearly to see that it’s different from the ROTJ reveal. The neckbrace is the same as in ROTJ with the exception of the base, which is not a mesh, like the ROTJ Neckbrace has. The mask is cut above the upper tube, and not between the tubes like the ROTJ.

Helmet mounted with two types of mounting systems. Type A or 1

Type B or 2

Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi
Helmet Information
HERO.
Dave Prowse.
(The ROTJ helmet/mask is largely a new sculpted mask/helmet.)

The “eyes” are rounder& larger than the ANH/ESB “eyes” Same paint scheme as ESB. High Gloss appearance in paint finish.

Large triangular chin vent. Large mesh size in the mouth/chin. Vents dual layer. (upper black and lower silver)

Both tusks are silver. No Windows peak. Softer and wider center stripe. A bit wider that ESB. Same size dome as ESB. Thinner edge than ESB.

Cone shaped points on the tusks. Fatter “lip” The area where the chin meats the mouth is flat.

REVEALED
The revealed mask consists of four pieces: Helmet / Upper mask / Lower mask/chin / Neckbrace.

The reveal mask in ROTJ, is clearly different from the ESB reveal.

The mask is cut just above the lower tube, and not above the upper tubes like the ESB.

Helmet mounted with two types of mounting systems as ESB.

The neckbrace is the same as in ESB with the exception of the base, which has a mesh.

Thanks go out to Darth Blade for some of the Above Information.

How To Paint

Below the Dark areas are painted Black and the white area is Gunmetal Grey on the Facemask and the helmet All Gloss Black.

Paint

Paint Used On the Unfinshed helmets if you do it.

I am Using Dupli-Color Sandable Primer #1692 (Gray Hot Rod Primer) or The Better stuff to help fill in the imperfections better use Dupli-Color Filler Primer (High Build Formula) #FP101 Grey Filler

I will be doing 4 to 5 light coats and wet sanding with a 800grt.st time then1000grt. 2 times and last 2000grt. sandpaper after each application allow atleast 30 min between applications

After that I will allow a week for the last coat of primer to harden.

Then I will apply 3 to 4 coats of Dupli-Color #T177 Gunmetal Gray to paint the Face plate with. I will 2-tone the face plate it is not all black or all Gunmetal grey

Then Allow the Face Plate to dry and the paint to harden for a week after the last coat

The Dome I will Paint it with 3 to 4 Coats Of Dupli-Color #DA1600 Gloss Black

* Darth Vader Tusks *

These are a set of ANH / ESB Tusks

These are a set of ROTJ Tusks

If you need a Set Of Tusks for Your Darth Vader Helmet

Contact Russell at : cambareng@hotmail.com

Darth Vader Helmet Lenses

There are several different color lenses from Amber, Red, Darker Red and Smoke used in Darth Vader Helmets.

Just make sure what color for what Movie helmet you have.

The Darth Vader Mesh Screen used inside The Helmet.

This Section is for the Different Makers Of Darth Vader Helmets

Note: More will be added soon.

Darth Vader ANH Style Casting

* The SGT-F Darth Vader Helmet *

Contact Sarge at : SgtFang@aol.com

This is a Resin Type casting of the ANH Style Vader helmet.

This also comes untrimmed in my pictures I already trimmed the mask and dome.

This is a Very Good helmet and less expensive than a Fiberglass one.

Not heavy,Very light weight Helmet so Great for Trooping in or Just as a Display.

You will still need to make some kind of mount for the dome to fasten to the face plate or do it like they did in the movie (Velcro)

You will also have to get Lenses, Tusks,Paint, Primer and sandpaper and lots of time (Always Go Slow)

This helmet comes with Mesh Screen for the mouth and little plates for the strap system you will make for the mask to hold it to your head.

(Finished Pictures of this helmet)

If you want information on getting The SGT-FANG Vader Helmet

Contact Sarge at : SgtFang@aol.com

Best Of The Best is SPFX

The Most Movie Accurate Helmet found on the net and the Most sought after by Collectors for it's accuracy.

SPFX makes 2 Styles the ANH and the ESB. Both are in Unfinished form but for extra he will finish it and It looks Fantastic. You Can see the Picture Below of the Finished ESB Style Helmet.

If you are a Collector Or just want a Display or to Troop in and are Looking to Get One Of these Fantastic SPFX V2 Helmet Castings.

Contact Scott at: kosmickustomz@gmail.com

Darth Vader ANH style SPFX V2 Casting

This is a great project to make and paint your own Darth Vader helmet

The helmet is made if sturdy fiberglass construction

The casting will need a bit of prep work (sanding, filling, priming etc.) so that it can be painted....

(Below are 3 Pictures of the Darth Vader ANH style)

Now if you want a Close to Movie Accurate Helmet as Possible Look at this one

There Is No Other Helmet Found That Is This Fantastic Found On The Net........

Darth Vader ESB Style SPFX V2 Casting

(Note: This one is My Favorite)

This is a great project to make and paint your own Darth Vader helmet

The helmet is made if sturdy fiberglass construction

The casting will need a bit of prep work (sanding, filling, priming etc.) so that it can be painted....

Again His work Is Perfection and Speeks For it's Self, That's Why I searched For him for some time just so I could get one of these before it was too late.

Don't settle for junk like you fine on the net most of the time.

These Helmets only come Once in a lifetime so don't miss out.

The ESB Style SPFX V2 Casting

You will not find a 100% More Movie Accurate Helmet Than This.

Now My Work In Progress I hope it turns out as Good as SPFX does them But I dought it.

(Below are 3 Pictures of My SPFX V2 Darth Vader ESB Style Casting)