I find it amazing that so many accurate helmets have now come to the forefront. This is the first time in the Vader community that there are, not one, but five accurate helmets; there has never been such an educational opportunity to regular folks.

This, understandably, is highly disconcerting for some.

With such a large amount of information that has been made public - along with study tools in the form of photographs and hi-definition screen captures - what his means is that anyone with good powers of observation and patience can learn many things about mask and helmet features that were once closely-guarded secrets.

What we are seeing here is more than jealousy. We're seeing a gale force of winds of change - the likes of which Vader community has never experienced before. What's happening is powerfully positive and can only improve the community for years to come.

This is not directed at any individual.
I see helmets here being claimed to be things that they aren't and people swallowing the fantasy hook line and sinker. I do realize and believe that it is not intentionally done. More of a case of wishful thinking about an item's pedigree, provenance, lineage, etc.. Especially when they have a financial or emotional investment in a piece.

The ugly truth that these owner's don't want to face is that any helmet taken out of an authentic mold or a helmet recast from another helmet taken from authentic mold COULD be indistinguishable from an unfinished production original. Even if the helmet was made a few years ago, it could easily be made so that you could not tell the difference.
"This one is .004" smaller so it must be further down in lineage."
Oh please make it stop. Do you realize how ridiculous that is? You can argue helmets like the TM, and Thomas' helmets all day, when in reality there is no definitive proof that they are what you HOPE they are. It troubles me greatly to see these kinds of bold claims unquestioned into fact. You think you know, you really want to believe you know, but you really truly have no idea and in the end wishful thinking becomes your reality. Then you go posting that reality as facts when you are really just hoping, and people get seriously misinformed.

The only thing that prevents authentic vader castings from being passed off (AND PROVEN) as original screen used or production pieces are their inability to duplicate all the finishing touches (the work done to finish a helmet ie lenses, grill, foam, straps, attachment mechs, paint method, etc..) That is why I am so reluctant to just make insider info public knowledge. Not with the way things are now, especially here. Maybe one day when all the BS goes away.

Just wanted to share my thoughts based on recent times.

Stop questioning?????

There'd be little reason for this forum to exist if we stopped questioning these things.

I wrote in another thread how much I was enjoying the Vader community lately and especially The Prop Den with all the excellent helmets showing up recently and the great discussion threads.

I also noted how civil the forum was.

I clearly cursed things

Cheers Chris

I'm sorry Midnight Trooper, but you are not really in any position to make demands about anything, least of all about the questioning or not of one person's helmets - not GINO's or anyone else's.

This is a discussion forum - deal with it.

Going back to the original idea of this thread;
I agree with Gino that people should be careful about how they label their helmets.
I am not calling anyone's research into question as I am not privy to that info.

But all you people questioning Gino's Vader helmets, Stop.

He is not shoving his helmet down anyone's throat and if you dont want to believe that his helmet is the best, dont.
He cant say "cast from an original UK helmet owned by John Doe" without revealing private info and frankly you people wouldnt believe anything he said anyway.
So please stop wanting to know so badly. Move along.

I love the authentic casts shown here. But I also see some shortcomings as well.
But its not a big deal to me.
I feel well informed enough to make my own choice of what I feel is the more authentic.
But those casts with the shortcomings, just make sure you dont glaze over those shortcomings too much so people wont be confused.

With such a large amount of information that has been made public - along with study tools in the form of photographs and hi-definition screen captures - what his means is that anyone with good powers of observation and patience can learn many things about mask and helmet features that were once closely-guarded secrets.

What we are seeing here is more than jealousy. We're seeing a gale force of winds of change - the likes of which Vader community has never experienced before. What's happening is powerfully positive and can only improve the community for years to come.

Thats not really what I meant. I'm saying that if Gino has made the choice to not answer questions about his helmet, stop asking them.

Everytime one of his helmets comes up in conversation it is put down in an attempt to goad Gino into sharing about it. He wont.

So call it a VP if you want or take his word for what its worth.

Mac, everything I've done from the RPF to here is to encourage people to do the research for themselves...I will show something...a comparison or something, and it might not always be perfect, and hope that collectors will say ok I'm going to look into that and make up my own mind....every time I've made a point I try my damnest to illustrate it...and I state my opinions as best I can and if I know something is the case I will state it with certainty.

We Scots have the inversed equivalent of Irish Luck!