THIS TUTORIAL IS GRAPHICS INTENSE!
Welcome to the Imperial Gunnery Corps "How To" page. If you are interested in constructing your own gunner helmet, this page may be of service to you. There are as many ways to skin a womprat as there is to achieve a custom constructed helmet. The following tutorial may guide you in the construction of your own helmet or help you to improve on your already existing helmet. This tutorial will cover one of several basic gunner kits that can be obtained from select private makers.
BEFORE WE BEGIN:
Please use caution when working with all drills, saws, knives, razors, epoxies, paints, thinners, adhesives, heating elements, and so forth to prevent possible injury or death to your person or any other persons who may be around you when you work with the aforementioned materials. DO follow all instructions posted with these items to prevent harm to you and/or your creation.
DISCLAIMER:
The producer/s of the Imperial Gunnery Corps in no way endorse, promotes, or profits from any materials mentioned in the following tutorial. All items pictured within this tutorial are copyrighted by the appropriate producers of the said product.
Contents: How To, Main Page
Now that all of the formalities are out of the way, lets get started on creating our masterpieces!
Step 1 Have a plan on what you wish to accomplish and don't deviate from that plan unless the outcome will be more enjoyable either esthetically or for comfort or both!
Step 2 Gather the necessary items to complete the job at hand. It is tough when you are in the middle of something and you have to stop, get in the car, drive to your local supplier, and make additional purchases. As mentioned in step 1 above...HAVE A PLAN.
The image below contains the materials I use when constructing the Gunner Helmet. Similar items are available and may be preferred by you, the user.
Image 1 (Materials) Band saw, belt sander, palm sander, cordless drill, Dremel (with assorted bits), spring clamps, phillips screwdriver, common screwdriver, razor knife, ruler, Goop, Gorilla Glue, Plastic Welder, black automotive primer, automotive poly-filler w/hardener, acrylic glazing putty, assorted colored markers (found that metallic silver works best), candle or heat gun, 1/8" pop rivets (aluminum) and washers, ABS, PVC, Styrene plastic sheeting, assorted lengths of self tapping wood screws, assorted grades of sandpaper (i.e. 180, 220, 400, 600, 1200), silver Testors paint, spray paint (red, white, blue, black), smoked acrylic (similar smoked plastic for lens), 1/8" steel rod (for antenna), wood for... ...well, you'll see. Don't forget the beverage of your choice and some music to help pass the time; as if building the helmet will not pass the time for you.
Whew...you are now probably winded just from reading that? Lets proceed, shall we?