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Index:
Helmet
Chest Armor
Chest Computer
Belt with Boxes
Cod Piece
Shins
Lightsaber
Gloves
Gallery Of First Year Photos
Here I have a photographic listing of all componants utilized to create my costume.
This project began in 2000.
I began wearing the suit in 2001 and continue to modify it to this day.
Pictures seen here journal my progress from day one. See what I began with, see changes I made over the years.
For further information regarding any componant of my costume, please choose "F.A.Q." from the navigation menu.
Darth Vader Deluxe Fiberglass Helmet
This helmet was an affordable find. The helmet had a surface crack and many scuffs on the finish. As can be seen in these photos, I made the required repairs an applied a Gloss Black finish. As seen in the Gallery Section, the mask has a foam liner, earphone, microphone and CPU Fan inside. I used black foam-filter material (as used for window air conditioners) on the inside, behind the mouth grills. Also seen here is a Don Post Classic Action mask. It is unpainted and these two photo's are published upon request to show their comparisions.
   
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1-Piece Fiberglass Chest Armor
The chest armor USED to consist of three pieces. The two shoulder bells were attached via leather straps. The leather straps used to secure to the chest armor by nuts fabricated into the fiberglass. From there, they were bolted on. I have since fiberglassed the bells permenantly to the chest piece. This gives consistancy to the look of the shoulders and no more worries of chipped paint. I closed the original cape hook hole and re-located it upwards about an inch. I used Gun Metal Grey and Gloss Black to paint the scheme. I added a strap to hold the armor against my chest and it hooks in the rear. I have also changed the way my chest computer is worn. Previously, the computer was worn with several straps, and quite uncomfortable, restricting my breathing if too tight and getting it in the right spot each time got to be a real pain. So, I added a couple "D" rings, shortened the two upper straps of the chest computer and now it is a part of the chest armor. No more guessing where it fits and much more comfortable to wear. Plus, the problem of the chest armor bumping into the computer and chipping paint is now gone. As a final touch, I added black felt to the bottom side of the armor.
  
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Cast Resin Chest Computer w/working Electronics
The Chest Computer is cast resin. The coin slots and switches are milled out of alluminum as well as the side rods. The computer has a PC Board with LED's that produce the red lights along with the blue light. The computer used to be held in place by a unique leather straps system, which now as mentioned in the chest armor section, is mounted to the armor. I have my voice amp in a wool pouch that I wear on the torso strap, keeping it under-cover of my inner robe. The coin slots do have red plexiglass in them to hide the diodes...they just didn't show up very well during the photo shoot and I didn't want to enhance the photograph or mis-respresent the item.
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Belt with Life Support Boxes
Design of the boxes was pretty straight forward. Here is a list of componants:
2" Leather belt
(2) Enclosure Hobby Boxes (Radio Shack)
(6) # 272-340 Subminiature Lamp Bases (Radio Shack)
(6) # 272-1176 E-5 Midget Screw-Base Lamps (Radio Shack)
(2) # 275-406A Submini Slide Switches (Radio Shack)
Clear Hose with Nylon Reinforcing
(12) 1/4" Cap Nuts and bolts
(4) Green Lamp Holder's
(2) "C" Cell Battery Holders
Belt Buckle and Saber hook GalaxyTrading
Click Here to View Detailed Assembly
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Non-Flexible Vinyl Cod Piece
The cod piece is similar to an actual boxer protective garment. It is constructed of sheet metal, vinyl and foam. It has a leather belt in the rear to attach it to your body.
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ABS Shin Guards
My first pair of shin guards were made of fiberglass. They were very uncomfortable to wear and dug into your legs. I have since replaced tehm with vacuum-formed ABS shin guards that are near screen accurate.
 
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Lightsaber
The first saber picture is a hilt made by ParksSabers. Once Master Replicas created the Master F/X swords, an upgrade was a no-brainer, I sold my Parks. The Master Replica swords light extremely bright and feature built-in sound effects. Make sure to click the movie thumbnail below for a video of the sword in action!
    
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Leather Gaunlets
The leather gloves are a custom-made product. They are made from the ground up unlike some sellers just adding gauntlets to biker gloves. The detail is incredible.
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Copyright 2001- 2005 CG Designs LTD.
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