There has been some that have thought that the SL ANH doesn't have the original paint on its surface as seen on the original ANH helmet as in the Tantive IV scenes. A lot of the focus had been on discussion of the C-scar, and justifiably so. However, that is just one detail. What of, for example, Vader's left front cheek face? Is there detail there that indicates the original paint surface was preserved at the time Rick Baker molded the original mask? The answer is yes. There is a complex imperfection on the left front cheek surface that initially detectable by virtue of some black paint showing beneath (or on top of?) the gunmetal. One of the most identifying features of this imperfection is a ring-shaped detail. The comparison below shows a closeup of the original ANH check (left closeup image) and that imperfection along with the ring which shows up better if one reduces the intensity of the LUT somewhat and applies a bit of sharpening (center closeup image). That ring is also clearly on the SL ANH in exactly the same location as on the original (right closeup image). Interestingly, by the time of the Chorbis photoshoot, that detail is completely gone, as there was some touch-up paint work by then in specific areas. This is but one example indicating how early the mold had been taken off the original ANH mask by Rick Baker.

Mac asked me to post a front view comparison with the eFX on the RPF so I'll post it here too....

this circle/ring doesn't appear on the TM face casting. Any idea why?

Hi Tom & other Vader enthusiasts.
Do you have any reference photos that show whether the bigger or smaller dome top is accurate?

Happy to be corrected, …. Please set me straight if I’ve got it wrong!
Thanks from the “newbie”
mike

Would still be interesting to see a fully untouched UK mold cast - from that original first mold made of the screen used ANH. THAT would pretty much be my dream cast.

Hi Mike,

I think Thomas explained that the domes on the two helmets were sitting at different angles when he took the photograph which is why they appear to be so different.

Welcome to the madhouse!

Dave

You mean, a stripped-down TD ANH?

Yep

Incidentally, the left and right sides of the nosebridge should be silver/gunmetal, not black as on the eFX ANH. They seemed to extend the black paint on the inside of the eyes of the eFX to the sides of the nosebridge.

This is for Gynoboy who seems to think the SL ANH is warped (ie: http://www.therpf.com/f79/efx-anh-vader-helmet-got-mine-have-questions-193532/), even though he's neither seen one in person nor been able to compare one first hand with an EFX. This also shows how much larger the SL ANH is than an EFX copy. There's no "suffering" except for those who got an EFX Legend and hoped to see more detail.



Here are views of the EFX next to the SLANH from both closer and further away to show different perspectives.



It is the EFX dome that is misshapen and the mask and dome lacking entirely in terms of detail. Yet to this day Gyno has offered no explanation as to why there was so much cleanup, or why the dome front flaring was reworked and the incorrect shape.