It is currently Wed Dec 04, 2024 4:12 am

All times are UTC


THE PROP DEN is primarily a Darth Vader Prop Discussion Board, but we also deal with other Star Wars Props as well as Prop Replicas from other movies. If you do not yet have an account, set one up, sign in and jump into the Vader Prop Discussions!


Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Enter your Message here
 Post subject: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 12:00 am 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
Introduction

The Rubies plastic helmet is known as the Rubie's Deluxe Darth Vader as per its name on the box. It is more commonly known as the "Rubies Supreme" as part of an entire costume (MSRP ~US$800.00) which was an nearly full costume (you wore your own shoes/boots) and which included the Rubies plastic Vader helmet (in a box that still called it the "Deluxe").

Rubies Costume Company licensed the LFL molds that were used by the original Don Post Studios. However, certain liberties were made with the master - possibly to make it not only easier to remove from its molds (as these were made by an injection molding process) but so that recasters would not simply recast a Deluxe/Supreme in fiberglass and try to pass it off as Rubie's Fiberglass Limited Edition (street price approx US$799).

Such liberties include softer dome/helmet detail as well as idiosyncrasies to the facemask (tusk tubes, teeth hole shape, nose bridge shape, eyebrow shape, eye socket depth shape, dome mounting system, etc.)

Original Promo Photo

The original photo was photoshopped to look symmetrical like the ROTS screenused Vader.

Image

Retail Photos

Eventually photos showing the asymmetrical nature of the Rubie's were used by retailers:

Image

Image

Image

CSMacLaren File Photos

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Commentary

Hidden Costs of Rubie's Modification - Infographic (April 18, 2013)
Image

Image


Last edited by CSMacLaren on Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:54 pm, edited 5 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:03 am 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
In case you ever wondered, how much Photoshopping was done?

Here is the original promo photo again:

Image

Here is a promo photo that was later released, perhaps in response to fan observation of the original promo photo being docotored.

Image

You can see that both photos have similar reflections in the (viewer's) right lens and the left dome surface.

Here is an overlay shot of the two. The red image is how the Rubies looks in real life.

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:19 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
Comparison Studies with Screen-used ESB

I'm using photos of the ESB Movie Vader (right) because of lighting and helmet positioning. As you can see, there are some striking differences between the Rubies and the screen-used.

Rubies is left.

Image

Image


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 3:43 pm 
Random avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:26 am
Posts: 9
Thanks for posting this thread. I'm doing some extensive mods to my Rubies to get the ESB style and this really helps.
I understand the whole nonsymentrical Vader thing...but... still can't figure out why the mount on the top of the Rubies helmet was molded so off center....looking like it's sliding off the top of the mask.


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 5:19 pm 
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:58 am
Posts: 10916
Location: Denmark
Most likely from the original tour helmet that was molded to make the Don Post Deluxe helmets and carried over to Rubies.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 8:06 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
Added "Hidden Costs of Rubie's Modification" Infographic to Post #1.

Image


Last edited by CSMacLaren on Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:59 am 
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:07 pm
Posts: 67
Location: Zurich
Just great all your advice!

Specifically the mention of the gumming tendency when Dremeling the ABS is indeed very important and helpful.

I am also one of the disciples, which just modify a Rubies (just for fun as a "stunt-helmet" for some occasions),
It is certainly a good opportunity to learn about the Vader helmet and types of modification.
But you can also go crazy if you try to make this helmet as accurate as possible.

Thanks again for this thread :thumbsup


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:55 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:46 pm
Posts: 5241
Location: San Jose, CA
Thanks to T-VIRUS who contributed that paint polishing needs a series of sandpapers ranging from 800 grit to up to 2000 grit depending on degree of work and level of finish. Infographic updated.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Rubies Supreme a.k.a. Rubie's Deluxe (Plastic Edition)
PostPosted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 4:50 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:51 pm
Posts: 533
Holy cow...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAR-WARS-James ... SwNphWbbfx

This is almost heart breaking. :eek


Top
 Profile E-mail  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Blue Moon by Trent © 2007
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Hosted by Freeforum.ca, get your free forum now! TOS | Support Forums | Report a violation
MultiForums powered by echoPHP phpBB MultiForums