The Prop Den
http://thepropden.aokforums.com/

The Don Post Standard Vader (Pic Intensive)
http://thepropden.aokforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=402		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  The Don Post Standard Vader (Pic Intensive)
Image

I managed to purchase this off eBay for around $20 loosely. I bought this as a study piece initially because now that I'm older I wanted to actually touch and look upon something I could have owned when I was younger but either didn't have access to it or couldn't afford it.

It's very scuffed and there is a crack in the rim. The previous owner may have tried to fix it... but failed miserably.

I have poured over the web for large photos, and just couldn't find any. So now that I own one, here are some reference photos for you to enjoy.

Image

This shot above is probably the most flattering angle.
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
Image

Here he is, iconically looking up. You can see the massive letters stamped into the inside flare, "DON POST STUDIOS" etc. etc.
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:31 pm ]
Post subject: 
Image

Not very screen accurate at all, but there are a few things going for it.

This shot above shows that the facemask size may be good for someone smaller in size. However the helmet is small and isn't realistically proportioned.

Image

Nobody on eBay ever posts good side shots. The skullcap or dome of the helmet is very short. The flange doesn't conceal the rear of hte neck too well.
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:32 pm ]
Post subject: 
Image

Image

Here are the last two shots.
Author:  Too Much Garlic [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
EEK... I had the horrid misfortune of owning one of these for a few days before getting a refund. Pretty much identical to this one. EEK.

Seem you got a later version DP Standard helmet - not one of the earlier ones.
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
So here is some commentary. You can see the neck flares out to the left (as yo'ure looking at it) and the head hilts to the left.

Again, I feel that from a modification standpoint the facemask has potential. The eyes are similar to how they did the Rubie's Supreme and the Don Post Classic Action where they provide a flat area for the externally mounted lenses to lean up against.

Here, it's been hot gluged. I can pull them out easily.

The mouth grill is part of the plastic.

The neck is long -- possibly longer for small sized individuals.

The helmet is basically fashioned after an ANH configuration.

Modification thoughts

I've already begun modifications and will post them in the "Work in Progress" forum. But here are some thoughts I'd like to share.

I've already removed the lenses and used a Dremel to cut out the flat areas. I've used QuikPlastic to build the eyes out. I've basically widened them to a more realistic and screen-accurate shape (the frown, of course,, is important -- it's a great source of Vader's menace) and I've deepened the eyesockets. I've also begun filing out the mouth.

I've also used a heat gun to flatten the dome somewhat. When you look directly at it, it will look like the helmet's bigger. The downside is that this would be a tight fit. Right now it just fits my head like a second skin, but I don't intend to wear this as my costume helmet. Perhaps it'll have a new owner -- one who is small and who has had a hard time finding a helmet his/her size.

I do plan to extend the helmet's flange. The problem is the skullcap isn't extendable but I have some very risky (or risque -- ooh la la) thoughts concerning how to enlarge the dome, but it may impact how it can be mounted.

Yes, lots of projects and it's still way cold so I can't use my PC-7 right now as it won't harden under these temperatures.
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:39 pm ]
Post subject: 
NoHumorMan wrote:
EEK... I had the horrid misfortune of owning one of these for a few days before getting a refund. Pretty much identical to this one. EEK.

Seem you got a later version DP Standard helmet - not one of the earlier ones.



Interesting... what does an earlier one look like?
Author:  Too Much Garlic [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
CSMacLaren wrote:
I've already begun modifications and will post them in the "Work in Progress" forum. But here are some thoughts I'd like to share.

I could simply move this topic to the WIP section!?
Author:  Too Much Garlic [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:43 pm ]
Post subject: 
CSMacLaren wrote:
NoHumorMan wrote:
EEK... I had the horrid misfortune of owning one of these for a few days before getting a refund. Pretty much identical to this one. EEK.
Seem you got a later version DP Standard helmet - not one of the earlier ones.

Interesting... what does an earlier one look like?

Pretty much similar, but it had tusks and not just a flat area painted silver. Perhaps had other differing details as well, but that is the one I remember...
Author:  CSMacLaren [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
NoHumorMan wrote:
CSMacLaren wrote:
I've already begun modifications and will post them in the "Work in Progress" forum. But here are some thoughts I'd like to share.

I could simply move this topic to the WIP section!?



I am planning a new thread but I haven't begun documenting yet. The purpose of this thread, however, is more as a reference. Being that this is TPD, people are naturally going to think about modifications. Perhaps just leave it here until I actually begin posting regarding the modifications.

Your call.
Author:  Too Much Garlic [ Sat Jan 27, 2007 11:57 pm ]
Post subject: 
Would like to keep stuff neatly together, so people don't have to search the entire forum for topics surrounding the same item. I'll move this topic and then you can do your WIP thing here... and I'll move it back, once the WIP is over. :thumbsup
Author:  T-VIRUS [ Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:25 pm ]
Post subject: 
This could be pretty cool. Being a star wars OG..( which in my case is starting to stand for old guy)...I got an original don post when I was a kid.

Up until 1995 there was nothing on the market but these. We thought this was vader in all his glory. I was the freakin coolest kid in town because I had one. With that helmet I killed alot of jedi and blew up a crap load of planets. :toothy

I'll have to look the original might still be in the parents attic.
Author:  banthapoodoo [ Sun Jun 19, 2016 7:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The Don Post Standard Vader (Pic Intensive)
I'm shooting for the 2016 award for oldest resurrected thread with this post. But I must say of all the licensed Vader helmets ever made this lowly creature got the downward angle of the nose droop and overall shape of it closer than any other licensed helmets to date. And the shape of bottom of the right eye socket doesn't look too bad either, from this angle at least. The amber lens color was pretty close to ANH as well. Too bad couldn't see squat out of them!

Image
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/
Hosted by Freeforum.ca, get your free forum now! TOS | Support Forums | Report a violation
MultiForums powered by echoPHP phpBB MultiForums