Home of the Sovereign Protectors

So I have undertaken the episode I helmet and we are nearing completion, just the hardest parts left!!
The robes and boots I already have set to go and a forcepike rather than a senate rifle. I may build a rifle later, the resin cast kit I got was way way too heavy.

The helmet I got was full of imperfections and weak spots. It needed extensive work before we could even tackle the spine and crest, the spine also needed alot of work.

After spending a good bit of time hunting down and purchasing horsehair, then teaching myself to make horsehair crests, I opted out of using it for practicality. I troop ALOT and we have alot of rain and humidity in florida. It was proving unrealistic to get the crest to stay in form, especially at the angle it should be. Storing should be done upside down and that wasn't fun either. After much debate, I decide to go with the broom ends which won't look as nice but will be much more durable and functional.
The first two pics are as I recieved it:




These pics are of the helmet all cleaned up, with spine attached, with notch cut, and finally with the grooves that I will be inserting the crest into after it is painted:

That looks amazing Rebecca!

Really looking to seeing how this one comes together and would love to know how you got those grooves done (angles and material etc!) and if you don't mind can I 'borrow' your idea for mine if I can indeed use it!

Don't forget to post up lots more pics when you get the chance!

Paint is finished, took it to an autobody shop around the corner from me...it is a ford motors underhood color, can't remember the exact name right now...

Next is the crest (i'm so nervous) then a little work in the interior and some foam padding on shoulder area then done!

That looks amazing! I so want to get my bucket painted at a body shop.

I do have a 360 view of the crest of this one.

LuciousTalvloinne wrote:I do have a 360 view of the crest of this one.

Would love to see that when you get the chance please!

Hi Phoenix!

Any chance that you can give us an insight into how you did the grooves please!

Iain, for the grooves we just made a pencil line approximately where they should be on each side of the V then used a dremel tool to carve them out...inhaled a TON of dust adn chewed through some dremel bits but it cam eout, the hard part was the angle and now that I am working the crest in I am not as happy with it but will just deal...it's hard to get that deep V

the biggest part I am having a difficult time with now that I am inserting the crest is the curve, the material seperates out over the curve and I may have to find some way to go back in and fill it out. Otherwise, let me know what you think.

Very nice indeed Rebecca.

That is going to look awesome when its done.

I know what you mean about that 'infamous' angle and like yourself I'm just going to go with it if I reckon I have it looking right.

Keep those WIP pictures coming.

Next round of crest added, only a little bit left to do and then the really hard part...cutting it down properly to size. I haven't figured out a plan for that yet.
Still wish I could have made the horsehair work but the plastic broom parts are much more forgiving to storage, moving the helemt around, and holding shape...as well as the hot glue!
Look at the difference in the color of the helmet with the camera flash off vs on!