Superjedi's FPH2 for Rnbuda

[superjedi]

Happy November, Fetters!
I'm beginning another ESB commission for our very own Rnbuda. It's a beautiful FPH2 helmet, which I've painted several of, and here
are just a couple of shots of the kit. I received it with some of the prep already done, but I spent some time on it thinning the visor
opening a little more, drilling out the holes in the ear platforms, and making an opening in the cheek for the Borden connector.

The helmet was shipped with a visor, but it's not shown in these pics.

After finishing up with the prep, I gave the helmet a good wash with some dish soap and warm water to clean up the sanding dust.
Once everything is dry tomorrow, I'll begin working on the rear panels just like I always do.
This will be my 22nd ESB paint up and I'm excited to get started on it! Much more to come.

 

[Artakha]

Very exciting! Will follow with anticipation

 

[BudaFett]

Can't wait for the legend to be finished with my helmet!

 

[Jesster]

Wow Eric. Your amazing! rnbuda will not be disappointed.

Subscribed...

 

[Scott Kaufmann]

I can't wait to see this completed.

 

[superjedi]

Back panels are well underway. I did the Concrete late last night, and everything was nice and dry this morning.
I stenciled on the damage, then used my Winsor & Newton masking fluid. I airbrushed on the dark green in a medium
translucent layer first, then went back to darken certain areas according to the reference pics.

After removing the liquid mask, I went back with a small brush to tweak the edges of the damage areas where needed. There's always
a few touch ups I like to do. I also added some patches of the dark green where it appears a little more uneven in the reference shots.
I use the same green to do this, but applying it with a brush gives it a denser appearance, so it winds up looking just a hair darker.

Now that this is done, I can begin with the gray and silver damage.

 

[BudaFett]

Yes yes yes!

 

[rubio95]

It looks like some parts are missing in the picture besides the visor. Was everything included?

 

[mainst69]

Holy crap! There's paint on that thing! Buda is not used to this type of service!!! I think you should probably let the helmet cure for about 4 months in a dark corner.... then maybe get back to it. OK< sorry for being that guy!

Glad for you Buda, you have a helmet in top hands!

 

[superjedi]

It looks like some parts are missing in the picture besides the visor. Was everything included?

In short, no. The upper RF ear "base" and the Borden weren't there. I let Rnbuda know the day the helmet arrived and the parts are
supposed to be heading my way soon. It won't impede my progress at this stage.

 

[BudaFett]

It looks like some parts are missing in the picture besides the visor. Was everything included?

Yes, you're correct. Fortunetly these pieces should be arriving to Eric early this week.

 

[superjedi]

We're having some fun now!
Got the left panel done. I did the silver and gray detailing, as well as just a touch of drybrushing and physical scratching.
Here's an overall shot.

A couple of closer angles.

I'll begin stenciling the damage on right panel next.

 

[BudaFett]

It keeps getting better and better!

 

[Viper]

Loving this so far. Just look at the detail...

 

[the_man_with_the_ee3]

Your work is phenomenal. How do you accomplish the physical scratching?

 

[superjedi]

Thanks, guys!
For the physical scratching, I use an old dental tool that I filed into a sharp point. It has kind of a tiny hook at the end so I can see very clearly where the tool is contacting the surface.
By varying the pressure, I can get very "bright" scratches, or "dull" faded looking scratches.

 

[superjedi]

Several sessions later. . .

I got the big damage area done on the right panel. This is such a relatively small percentage of the whole paint job, but it's
really detail intensive! Here's an overall pic.

A closer view shows some of the tiny chips and scratches within and around the silver.

Here's a different angle to show the contrast with the silver a little more.

I'll start working on the remaining sections of the right panel this weekend.

 

[BudaFett]

Damn, Eric looks awesome! I'm going to keep saying that this entire paint up!

I'm getting spoiled with all these updates too!

 

[Jesster]

I'm getting spoiled with all these updates too!

Welcome to the world of superjedi!

 

[superjedi]

Thanks, guys.

The rear panels are all done now. I finished the rest of the right panel this morning.
Doing the rest of it took less time than just doing the big scrape! An overall look.

A couple of closer angles showing the damage and physical scratching.

This will all get masked off and I'll lay down the base color and first weathering pass on the dome and cheeks.