InfinityLord
Jr Member
Thanks for the help!
Black Series Darth Vader Helmet Mod Thread!
- Thread starter Jennigirl
- Start date
InfinityLord
Jr Member
Though I might have to wait a while with getting the helmet because money's kind of tight at the moment. Does anyone know how long they will be available?
JesusKeanu
New Member
Probably for a while. No one can give a concrete answer.
Everything is transpiring as I have foreseen
Everything is transpiring as I have foreseen
InfinityLord
Jr Member
Stunning work, JesusKeanu! The helmet looks so much better with the edited dome and cheeks. What an easy change, but what a difference it makes. If only that was Hasbro's actual sculpt... Can't wait to do some mods on mine when it arrives. Hope it turns out as good as yours!
InfinityLord
Jr Member
I watched that, and I agree, but with mods it would be a great display piece, and normal people wouldn't see the difference between a movie accurate Vader and the BS. Most don't know it has a two-tone paint scheme
Just got notified that BBTS is getting the new Hasbro Vader helmets in stock and shipping soon!
Sean
Sean
JesusKeanu
New Member
Imo you are better off buying an ANH helmet off Etsy than modifying this. I saw one for a little over 350 dollars for a finished piece and saw positive reviews.
If you have a Black Series already, absolutely go for it. You've got nothing to lose, really, as long as you know what you're doing.
But my professional advice, and take it with a grain of salt, is its more cost effective to buy a better looking replica than buy it to turn into something. Definitely don't just waste 1,000 on a helmet, if you have the money and the will go for it, but there are cheaper helmets that look nearly as accurate or just as.
The Black Series lineup really was never intended to be a super accurate prop line. It's just a line of expensive toy helmets type of collection. Some masks look more well made and accurate, like Boba or the Mando helmet, but others like Vader are in the uncanny Valley of "that's definitely Vader but there's so much wrong about it." That's my two cents.
Only reason I modified mine was because I genuinely screwed it up bad when I got it.
I do agree about the angle view. It looks atrocious from the front. The reason is because the mask is more wide than long, which the original cast helmets weren't. You can even see it in the thumbnail.
Sure, they added the two tone paint color and they extended the neck, but they didn't fix the dome. It's too thin and too curvy and doesn't have the right proportions. They slapped the old Black Series dome on the new mask with no thought. They also didn't fix the width of the mask. You can clearly see the mouth vent is extremely wide where it should be longer. There is zero way to fix this and will always be 100% noticeable. The eyes are also too wide and bulgy and stick out too much.
I'm not saying you can't do what you want, but even if you make modifications to your helmets, it won't change the fact the mold of the mask is different than the original mask, and it cannot be fixed. I'm also not saying the mask is horrible because they definitely did a good job, and any improvement is a good one.
I just want to put it out there that there's no proper way to make this mask accurate because the flaws are within the molds themselves. It's a cool prop piece for sure, and I'm happy with mine. However, I'm buying a cheaper accurate ANH helmet rather than going through the pain and money to modify this into something that might look better but not be accurate. 
sorry for the rant xD
If you have a Black Series already, absolutely go for it. You've got nothing to lose, really, as long as you know what you're doing.
But my professional advice, and take it with a grain of salt, is its more cost effective to buy a better looking replica than buy it to turn into something. Definitely don't just waste 1,000 on a helmet, if you have the money and the will go for it, but there are cheaper helmets that look nearly as accurate or just as.
The Black Series lineup really was never intended to be a super accurate prop line. It's just a line of expensive toy helmets type of collection. Some masks look more well made and accurate, like Boba or the Mando helmet, but others like Vader are in the uncanny Valley of "that's definitely Vader but there's so much wrong about it." That's my two cents.
Only reason I modified mine was because I genuinely screwed it up bad when I got it.
I do agree about the angle view. It looks atrocious from the front. The reason is because the mask is more wide than long, which the original cast helmets weren't. You can even see it in the thumbnail.
Sure, they added the two tone paint color and they extended the neck, but they didn't fix the dome. It's too thin and too curvy and doesn't have the right proportions. They slapped the old Black Series dome on the new mask with no thought. They also didn't fix the width of the mask. You can clearly see the mouth vent is extremely wide where it should be longer. There is zero way to fix this and will always be 100% noticeable. The eyes are also too wide and bulgy and stick out too much.
I'm not saying you can't do what you want, but even if you make modifications to your helmets, it won't change the fact the mold of the mask is different than the original mask, and it cannot be fixed. I'm also not saying the mask is horrible because they definitely did a good job, and any improvement is a good one.
I just want to put it out there that there's no proper way to make this mask accurate because the flaws are within the molds themselves. It's a cool prop piece for sure, and I'm happy with mine. However, I'm buying a cheaper accurate ANH helmet rather than going through the pain and money to modify this into something that might look better but not be accurate.
sorry for the rant xD
Last edited:
InfinityLord
Jr Member
Wow, very insightful. But just to clear this up, are you still continuing your ongoing mods? Because they look fantastic. I believe you are right. The BS will never be screen-accurate, but for my budget Vader build, it's perfect.
JesusKeanu
New Member
I'm not sure if I'll do anything else in the future apart from finish the dome. Leaving it silver leaves the possibility open in the future to create an accurate paint scheme, but the silver just looks more interesting, not only to myself but friends. So for now I think I'm done with it. I still have the display stand to do though which I'll post eventually
7-11 Jedi
Sr Member
I bought the new Kenobi BS helmet purely for a display piece. It’s not bad for what it is. My only real complaint is the dome is just so thin, it looks funny. I whipped up a quick three-tiered stand for it out of some scrap wood the other day, just for giggles. The last pic is it displayed as one piece.
JesusKeanu
New Member
It looks good from an angle I'll say thay but I just noticed the mold seam running down the neck piece. As it is, it's a good addition to what looks like a really extensive collection. Well done.
That neck seam-line is just a linear reflection in the plastic.
I've seen other's do the exploded/tiered view as well, and I think it's the BEST way to display this helmet.
How did you make the widows peak?
Some great stuff going on here. Nathan's props helmet looks great. I plan on doing my own very using a BS Vader.
One thing that needs to be done is that someone needs to 3d print the scarred Hayden head and get an insert on the go, or maybe even the whole head for the real completists. Coofunkurly and RMFX did this with Heath Ledgers Joker bust and it is probably the best around - in my opinion anyway, that's why I bought one.
Can't wait to get cracking on my build. I waited 40 years to see that scene and it didn't disappoint
One thing that needs to be done is that someone needs to 3d print the scarred Hayden head and get an insert on the go, or maybe even the whole head for the real completists. Coofunkurly and RMFX did this with Heath Ledgers Joker bust and it is probably the best around - in my opinion anyway, that's why I bought one.
Can't wait to get cracking on my build. I waited 40 years to see that scene and it didn't disappoint
Brothervader
Well-Known Member
Exploded display is the best!
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zjunlimited
Sr Member
Agree. Exploded is the only way this helmet will look good.
I just finished up a stand for my helmet. Will tackle the helmet itself later or maybe never but I put together a brief build log if anyone is interested.
Build Log - Vader Reveal Stand
I just finished up a stand for my helmet. Will tackle the helmet itself later or maybe never but I put together a brief build log if anyone is interested.
Build Log - Vader Reveal Stand
Dloder214
New Member
I used a repurposed 'demo' switch from a Halloween sound activated prop, added some length of wire to go from the neck to my hand and used a plug connector from an old RC helo. I made a hole in the undercarriage of the neck, so it is out of sight, and I just plug in when wearing it, and unplug when done. so now I can discreetly use my thumb/finger to activate the effect. just need to now fill in the space around the button and repaint
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