Best Way to Shorten 1/6th Darth Vader?

[kl241]

WG, did you replace the dome with the Hasbro one or is that the Sideshow dome?

 

[Cocoboloboy]

The helmet mod, although very slight, really makes a big difference in hand. I may lower mine just a bit more.

 

[PJB-1138]

I'm pretty sure that's the original Sideshow dome. I realized soon after I modified my own Vader helmet that its size isn't as much of the issue that many have made here as its position to the head. Vader's helmet should be low enough to cover the tops of his eye lenses as well as come close to his shoulders in the back. Once that's done, you'll find that the Sideshow dome looks just about right.

 

[Cocoboloboy]

I agree. The shape of the dome isn't the problem. It's where they placed it on his head.

 

[Chakaman]

Wor-Gar, CB those helmets mod looks great. Nice job guys.

 

[Wor-Gar]

WG, did you replace the dome with the Hasbro one or is that the Sideshow dome?

That's the Sideshow dome. I quite like it. Even though it's missing the widow's peak.

Wor-Gar, CB those helmets mod looks great. Nice job guys.

Thanks!


Here's a good comp to show the helmet mod improvement --

Darren Carnell's Vader (of whose silhouette I've always been envious), mine and the real Vader:

Pretty damn close...

 

[PJB-1138]

Since the new Emperor has rekindled interest in modifying Vader's height, I thought I'd post new pics of how it looks next to some other SW 1/6 scale figures.

Again, I can understand most folks' hesitation with monkeying around with figures as costly as these. But, if there's anyone reading this who's on the fence about doing this modification & they already own a Stormtrooper or Sandtrooper figure, what are you waiting for? You have all the parts you need. If you aren't absolutely THRILLED with the results, you can change your figures back to the way they were. No harm, no foul.

 

[Wor-Gar]

if there's anyone reading this who's on the fence about doing this modification & they already own a Stormtrooper or Sandtrooper figure, what are you waiting for? You have all the parts you need. If you aren't absolutely THRILLED with the results, you can change your figures back to the way they were. No harm, no foul.

How much taller does the stormtrooper end up? The same 3/4"?

I think my lowered Vader is find now, but if I raise the trooper as well it might start looking off again?

Is that pic above a stormtrooper with Vader's torso and Vader with the trooper torso?

 

[PJB-1138]

How much taller does the stormtrooper end up? The same 3/4"?

I think my lowered Vader is find now, but if I raise the trooper as well it might start looking off again?

Is that pic above a stormtrooper with Vader's torso and Vader with the trooper torso?

No, that's a stock, unmodified Sideshow Stormtrooper, albeit on a whole other armored Prometheus body I got from Toy Anxiety after cannibalizing the original one for those abdominal parts (body on that first Trooper was too floppy, anyway). He only looks a little bigger because he's standing in front of Vader, or next to the slightly shorter Medicom Boba Fett.

Besides, Vader's abdominal parts are too big to fit inside the Trooper body, so doing the reverse of the Vader mod for the Trooper figure won't work.

And, WG, may I say your modified Vader is looking particularly fine. Seeing all your before & after pictures just warms the cockles of my heart! ;-)

UPDATE: I added another photo of Vader with two Stormtroopers for better comparison.

 

[Wor-Gar]

And, WG, may I say your modified Vader is looking particularly fine. Seeing all your before & after pictures just warms the cockles of my heart! ;-)

Ah, shucks... thank you.

But you da man! I wouldn't have done the torso mod without your instructions and you taking the reins on this. If my pics help others, or help convince them to give it a try, then its all about paying it forward.

 

[PJB-1138]

One big group photo.

Imagine seeing a police line-up like that!

 

[Wor-Gar]

Nice, all villains.... love that.


For those interested in the "PJB torso mod" to lower Vader a bit, here's a comp that shows the difference:

Might be helpful to see what you get. Approximately 3/4"+ is taken off. He was above 14.25" and is now 13.75"

Comp was taken prior to the follow-up helmet mod in case you guys wonder what happen to my dome.

 

[shocktrooper_au]

right gonna give this mod a go, I'm a bit worried his legs will look long, but Coco's looks brilliant

 

[Kuzeh]

I just did the "PJB torso mod" as well last night!
It works perfectly!!
Vader looks so much better now!
I'll post some pics tonight...
thanks PJB for the tutorial!
!

 

[Kuzeh]

Here are a few VERY crappy pics!!

Comparisson Pic, left is original, second modded...

A few more:

I'm not sure if I should slide the belt and codpiece down a bit...

 

[shocktrooper_au]

Looks great, Vader's a bit of a Harry High pants in the movie as well , just the way the cod piece fits me thinks..
I just spent the money for this mod on a new body for my T1000 though

 

[PJB-1138]

Always glad to help out a fellow Freak, Kuzeh. Although, I can't help but wonder why you haven't gotten around to doing the chest armor modification with your Troopers.

 

[galactiboy]

Very late to the Vader modification party... but I did finally do the PJB height mod and it really does make a huge difference.

I'm planning to tackle the helmet next, but I was curious if anyone had opinions on using either the Sideshow dome (lowered) or the Hasbro dome?

I have both, but didn't find a comparison between the two. Also if anyone has used the Hasbro what did they do to make the two work together?

 

[wax murderer]

The Hasbro helmet is generally better;it's fuller at the dome and flares more. The only real mod you need to make is to either 1)drill a new hole in the mask for the mounting spike, or2)remove the spike and seat it with plasticene(an under-rated material more figuresIMHO)...PS

 

[galactiboy]

Thanks for the info I think I'll go with option 2 as I'm not positive where the new hole should be.