Tutorial – Making a Mark V Helm
Here’s a quick tutorial on how I make my version of the mark V power armour helmet.
The items and tools used are a mark 7 helm (I use the one with two breather tubes on either side), greenstuff, Grandt Line plastic rivets (0.81mm), a small chisel ended clay shaper and a sharp scalpel.
Start by cleaning up the mold lines. I mounted this helm on the end of a drill bit just to make it easier to hold, but you could just as easily attach to the figure. Take a small amount of greenstuff, two to three times more yellow than blue to ensure it’s nice and soft, and roll it into a ball. Push the ball directly onto the helms forehead and flatten it a little.
Now using the wet clay shaper gently spread the greenstuff left and right around the curvature of the forehead, keeping the mass of the greenstuff symmetrical. If you have too much carefully slice away small amounts with a wet scalpel blade. Once you have a nice smooth curve going across the forehead, take your wet scalpel blade and trim away the excess greenstuff covering the eyes, leaving a square tab over the nose. Finally clean up any rough edges with the wet clay shaper.
Allow the greenstuff to cure. Because of the greater amount of yellow I usually allow at least 6 hours, but you may be ok to handle it gently before then.
Trim the rivets from their sprue using a sharp blade. You’ll need at least 12 but it’s best to cut off a few extra. Note: these are Grandt Line Rivets.
Place a drop of superglue on a piece of scrap plastic.
Now using the point of your scalpel blade (or the point of a pin will do) pick up one of the rivets and carefully skim it across the surface of the drop of superglue. Because of surface tension you’ll probably end up with too much on the underside of the rivet so carefully brush it against something to remove the excess without actually gluing the rivet down.
When ready push the rivet into place giving the glue a moment to dry before carefully pulling the scalpel blade away. Rinse and repeat until all rivets are applied. This takes a little practise, but once you get the hang of it doesn’t take long at all to do.
