TIE Pilot Tips

Begin by acquiring a Don Post Classic Action TIE Pilot helmet. These helmets are becoming harder to find because Don Post lost their Star Wars License. You may want to try eBay.

You can use the fiberglass Deluxe version, but these helmets generally run several hundreds of dollars. On the bright side, the Deluxe versions come with the chest box.

Depending on your tastes, you may have to slightly modified it. You can add a few paint accents to resemble are a higher ranking pilot, or just to give it a different look as pictured to the right.

Since the Classic Action helmet has solid aerators, you'll need to cut holes for the hoses.

The Classic Action helmet will probably need a new paint job.

If you want to paint the helmet yourself, visit the Automotive section at Wal-Mart, or any auto parts store to pick up a few cans of gloss black Duplicolor. Plasti-Kote works well, too.

They also have the primer as well, which adhered to the vinyl and allowed the helmet to flex a little without cracking. For the helmet pictured to the left, one can of primer and two cans of paint (5 coats) were used.

Before priming, remember to lightly mask the area you don't want painted, like the lenses and the Imperial logos. Lightly sand the helmet with 400 grit sandpaper to give the primer a nice hold on the vinyl.

Remember to use controlled bursts of paint so you don't have runs or blotches. If you want to add custom paint details, be sure to do it before you clear coat the helmet.

Here, silver details were added to the sides of the helmet where the "ears" are.

You just need two washers, two screws and matching size acorn nuts. Drill a hole and put it all together.