Funny how this stuff goes in waves, huh? three months ago it was Smart Gunners, now it's pilots. I'd really put this on the backburner until J2H's post got me thinking about it again. I'm a Ground Pounder for life, but this helmet is going to look great on my shelf and might just be how I (finally) get my wife to throw on a costume. She has a German flight suit that she looks fantastic in, so maybe I can get her to add some patches and join me for a drop.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

I am still piecing stuff together, just got my vest, and boots on the way

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Jeffrey Hughes "Huggies"
Corporal, USCM
UD-4 "Cheyenne" Pilot
Dropship Argonne

I bought a microphone tip off eBay, and then at a flea market today I found the whole damn microphone set with the arm, wires and everything. So, I have a spare microphone tip

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Very nice find. thats something i need to start doing is flea markets. some kids at the CM< launch said they got a welder there once.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

So here's the boom arm and mic attached to the helmet. It's funny that before I can make this thing screen accurate I'm having to make it, um, "life accurate".

I was thinking of trying to tint the clear lense I got on eBay, but now I think I'll just keep an eye out for one. They aren't that rare afterall.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Man thats crazy how you found that arm at a flea market. All I can find at my local ones are arts/crafts and rusted tools! If there is anyone with military surplus, they are the type that thinks their crap is gold and wants big bucks for obscure foreign military stuff.

Great job on 'life accurizing' the helmet!

I should have snapped a photo before dismantling it but it was the earphones and everything, all ready to go! I'll take them off the headband and mount them inside the helmet shell eventually, I'm just waiting until the greeblies from Stephen arrive as I know I'll need to cut the helmet up to fit them in first.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Something awesome just arrived from Stephen! I can't wait to get started on this, but I've got to take my time and not mess it up!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

i was just talking to myself the other day.(yes i can only trust myself) about i wonder if some1 was smart enough to mold and sell casts of these parts. i may need to get some for later.

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SGT Chris Kraemer "BIRD"
S/N: A07/TQ0.0.82154G1 Sgt Kraemer

That kit is sweeeeet.

But, if you don't mind my saying...I'm guessing that you can probably remove the "micro" from the thread title at this stage, eh? (and maybe even the "budget"?!?)

You appear fast tracked to a thing of beauty though!!! Very jealous.

Ha! Too true my friend. Amending it now...

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

There came a point during the hacking and sanding where I wished I'd just left it alone. My hands were sore, my fingers were bloody and I really wasn't sure why I'd decided to bother with such a minute detail.

But the second I cut into the first flange (wing? outrigger?) it was a done deal. I'd paid too much for the knob to just chuck it. So I kept at it and with a bit more sanding I'd say I've got it done.

Yes, it's a small detail, but I have the opportunity with this build to really get the details right for a change. I enjoy being a bit liberal with my builds, but this helmet is shaping up to be a pretty accurate recreation and that is very satisfying.

If two flanges was good enough for Ferro then by God, two flanges is good enough for me!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

LOL. I know that exact feeling. Keep at it! Good work so far!

Charlie

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

One ear cup cut out (following the template from Stephen), one to go. For some reason I imagined the helmet would be more difficult to cut into, but really it is quite easy to work with. Nice!

I contacted a local helicopter rental company and low and behold they had recently upgraded their SPH4 helmets for the dual visor system. They had some spare parts kicking around including a smoked visor, ear pad and the visor lock mechanism. Previously I'd only had the knob and was trying to make my own lock with bits I had on hand. Quite a relief to get the real deal!

Noble sold me a webbed helmet liner too, but I need to find a tutorial on installing it as I can't seem to figure out how it goes in. I'm missing some hardware which further complicates it, but I know I'll sort it out soon. By my count there are twelve slotted screws on the exterior of the helmet that I am missing. The liner has five latch points, so that leaves seven screws unaccounted for. Finally, the photos of the original helmet show a cloth section between the ear pad and the ear cup section of the helmet (like a Mad Bomber helmet). I don't have that component, nor do i know what to call it. Any help?

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

I don't think I have that part on mine (the cloth cover), I have the inner headband, ear phones and a styrofoam liner.

I must have taken that whole thing apart six times while working on it, complicated little bugger. Leave one part out and you have to break it all back down.

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"Awww, someone tell me that's a boot!

It's a boot!"

III drops

Olive Drab Field Coat pockets!



L.L. Bean Field Coats have pockets on the front that are only sewn on at the top, so they hang like a flap (no idea why). I'll need to add the snaps, but the curve of the pocket is perfect for simulating the cloth interior of the helmet.

I love free solutions!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Progress! I need to make the hole larger for the greeblies though. No problem really.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Looking good Buddy

Ill be watching this with intrest as I've got to do the same soon with Birds SPH-4

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Sgt Dan "Coop" Cooper
A03/TQ1.0.72144E1
UKCM 501st Regt. 1st Batt. The Bucketheads

"Civies We are Leaving"

Good work Retro.

Sorted out the liner and my L.L. Bean pockets:



Right ear:



Left ear:



Front plate with smoked visor and customized knob:



Lots more cutting and trimming to go (especially on the left side, the right is *almost* done), but it is really taking shape.

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Painting all the various bits for both ears:



Filling in the gaps on the left ear cup and trying to blend it:



Gluing the left side together:



There will be more gap filling I'm afraid, but it's coming together pretty well!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Indeed it is! Project has been a long one, but I bet your all jacked up seeing all the pieces fall into place. Very cool.

I can never seem to have just one project, so I jump back and forth between them depending on my mood and available time. I had a solid two hour block today so I really worked hard on this one. The other side will actually come together faster!

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751

Looking great!!

Charlie

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"There is a clause in the contract which specifically states any systematized transmission indicating a possible intelligent origin must be investigated. On penalty of total forfeiture of shares. No money."

More work! I've filled a bunch of gaps in since this was taken and given it a coat (always a good way to see what's wrong).

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My entry-level prop and costume tutorials: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12751