Endor trooper - Helmet wip help!

[CloneHeart ()]

Hello friends, I'm working on my Endor trooper and a RL member of our Italian Base helped me for the helmet/donut: he provided me both soft part and donut. But maybe there are some problems I'd like to resolve before submitting the application. Please, help me identifying what's wrong and needs correction, I'm in serious trouble...
Thank you very much for your help!















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Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[kman ()]

I wouldn't say that soft helmet is exactly 100% correct, but I don't know that the small variances would prevent approval. Obviously the donut needs more sanding and smoothing, and paint. What specifically are you concerned about?
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[CloneHeart ()]

Hello and thanks for reply:-)
Even if I read a lot inside and outside the forum, I'm uncertain about the details of this helmet: at first sight it is very beautiful, but:
- Isn't the leather part too much extended?
- Is it correct/approvable the ribbed part extended in the rear?
- Has the donut the correct shape or is it too "bold"/"high" in the mid rear?
- Is the visor too big? Is it better to unsew it from the soft part and screw it to the donut?

It's an important part of the costume, and I don't want to do mistakes with it!
Thank you!
_________________
Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[kman ()]

Well, there are two different questions and considerations, here:

1) Is it 100% perfectly screen-accurate?
2) Is it approvable, even if not 100% screen accurate?

The answer is, no, it's not perfect. There are definitely differences comparing to the screen-used assets.

As to approvable or not, though, frankly I would *guess* that it's approvable, but I can't say for sure, only a judge can. JUDGES: CAN YOU WEIGH IN, IF SOMEONE IS READING THIS THREAD?

SOFT HELMET:
Again, I think the basic shape of the soft helmet is in the right ballpark, although it's definitely not exact. I suspect it is close enough to be approvable.

I base my guess on the many varied hand-made copies I have seen posted here (copies of the actual AN-H-15 soft helmets that were modified for the on-screen versions), which have been approved, even though they're not perfect matches.

You can see some pretty good photos of the actual AN-H-15 helmets here:

https://www.militaryuniformsupply.com/ww2-summer-flying-helmet-an-h-15

There are also usually a couple up for sale on eBay at any given time that may have good photos included, for more photo references.

LEATHER:
As you can see, looking at those photos, the leather is very different compared to the version you were given. (Note that these AN-H-15 helmets come with either 3 or 4 snaps on each side, and in black leather as in these photos, in more of a medium brown similar to what was used on your helmet, and in a sort of taupe / light brown: ALL are acceptable and all were used onscreen in various places in ROTJ)

RIBBING:
The ribbed top itself, for the screen-used helmets, was actually attached to the donut / ring, not directly to the soft helmet. But both options tend to be approvable. I point this out, however, to note that the ribbed portion should definitely NOT extend down below the back of the donut. That's the part that worries me the most, as far as approvability is concerned. But again, only a judge can let you know for sure whether they'd be ok with it.

BRIM:
The brim itself almost certainly falls into the "close enough" territory. Again, for screen used helmets, I believe the brim was actually attached to the donut, and not the soft helmet. But when worn, it's nearly impossible to tell the difference, and both ways are definitely approvable. Size-wise, it looks like it's in the right ballpark to me, so I wouldn't worry about that.

EARCUPS:
The earcups themselves look pretty good. I don't think you have anything to worry about, there. That said: Have you actually tried this on yet? Are these your photos of YOUR helmet, or stock photos from the vendor? I ask because those ear cups look a little low to me. Are they actually over your ears? If so, no worries. Might just be the way it's sitting on the foam head. But it looks a bit low to me.

DONUT / ARMOR RING:
As for the donut itself, IMO it's in the right ballpark. I think I'd agree it comes down a little low, in the back, particularly the part that appears to extend about an inch down from the indentation rows along the back? BUT I suspect it's close enough to being in the right ballpark that it would not be denied. AGAIN: Only a judge can say for sure, but that's my take on it. Based on the other varied donuts I've seen approved, I think this donut is close enough that it would likely be approved as well.
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[jthatcher (Jim Thatcher)]

I'd say sand the seams on the donut and paint, then it should be good to go!
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Jim Thatcher
RAID: Endor Commando, Rebel Marine (Scarif) - 307th Desert Rats
COR: Captain Rex - Anooba Squad
KJO: Luke Skywalker (Death Star Duel) - Temple Arkanis

[kman ()]

There you go. As I suspected, approvable. (once finished, of course).

Go go go!
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[CloneHeart ()]

Thanks for all your replies!
Kman, you're very exhaustive. I try to add something...

-These are pics of my wip helmet, all handmade by a friend and member of Italian Base; he used as reference the pictures found in the book "Star Wars - Costumes - The original Trilogy" (Brandon Alinger).

-The helmet is very comfortable, it sits perfectly on my head and the earcups are perfectly centered on my ears. At this time the leather part has been modified following the book I mentioned above.

Looking at the helmet on my head, I feel happy with the proportions of the donut...the pics I've posted didn't look like that.
I'm in trouble with the ribbed part in the rear, I know...at this point it means to destroy the soft cap just to remove that portion of ribbed fabric, I don't know how to do it...

Tomorrow I'll start to paint the donut, but the big question about that ribbed part remains...
_________________
Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[kman ()]

[CloneHeart ()]

...I understand, but I know that my cap has a noticeable mistake...we will see...
Yesterday I started to paint the donut, but the color I prepared was totally wrong, I need to replace.
I also have to find the correct dimensions of the red/yellow simbol on the donut's side...
So, let's work, quick...
_________________
Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[kman ()]

[CloneHeart ()]

...I did as you told me, it just worked fine!
Today, I'm happy to say my costume has been finally approved!!
Thank you for your support friends, I really appreciate!
Thanks again!!


_________________
Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[PArmstr (Patricia Armstrong-Krauss)]

Congratulations!
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RAID GRRRL-Squad-Leader 2019 - present

Costumes: Jawa, RFT ANH, SIT, Rebel Vanguard, female DRT, R1 Senior Officer A, YOO, YOT, Scarif Marine

WIPs: Tatooine Specialist, female Bespin Trooper, 2nd Scarif Marine,

Wishlist:Scarif Specialist and Rebel X-Wing pilot

[kman ()]

Congrats! Now get out there and send some biker scouts into the trees! LOL
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[CloneHeart ()]

Thanks!
Yeah, I'll spread panic among imperial troops!!!
_________________
Member of COR Detachment
Member of KJO
Member of RAID

- We clones were bred for combat -
Cpt. Rex

[wabbit89 ()]

Woo! Congrats! I have been following your progress but not posting bc kman had you covered. Well done!

Endor forever!
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It matters which side we choose. Even if there will never be more light than darkness... For every life we touch, it matters. I don't turn toward the light because it means some day I'll win some sort of cosmic game. I turn toward it because it is the light.

Qui-Gon Jinn, Master and Apprentice, Claudia Gray