Rebel Pilot Helmet Tips
The Rebel Pilot helmet is based on t AP-H6 flight helmet . The "mohawk" design was the basis for the TIE Fighter Pilot helmet as well. These helmets can be found at Army Surplus stores, or through military surplus catalogs.
Don Post makes a great looking Rebel Pilot helmet. There are no modifications necessary, unless you'd like to weather the outside a little more.
Rebel Pilot Jumpsuit & Vest Tips
Begin by buying a Dickies brand long sleeve orange work suit. Be sure to get two of them so you'll have some extra material for additions, such as the oddly shaped pocket on the upper left sleeve and the thigh pockets.
The vest is made from some scraps of white vinyl. You should be able to find them at any major fabric store. The front and back are two layers are stitched together at the corners. The front and back pieces are held together at the shoulders by some white 2" wide elastic. The "ribbing" is several lengths of curtain batting, sewn onto the vinyl vest.
Rebel Pilot Chestbox
This was made from a plastic paint tray, the kind that comes with those "pad painting" kits. First, paint it gray and used some thin styrene sheet (painted black) for the overall surface.
Next, add small squares of blue and white plastic for the buttons and strips of self-adhesive vinyl for the stripes.
The rocker switches are available at hardware stores Just trim them down a little so they'll fit onto the face of the box.
There is also a fitting on the bottom for the hose that you always see coming out of this piece.
Boots
German riding boots were used in the original films. A less expensive alternative would be to get some plain black work boots from a local store.
The gray details were made from vinyl and stitched in place right onto the boots.
Gloves
There were two different kinds of gloves used in the films. There was a white/grey pair, used in the Hoth scenes, and a black pair, used everywhere else.
For either pair, gloves, find some garden type work gloves, in the color of your choice. Then. sew vinyl "gauntlets" onto the gloves to increase their overall length.
Flare Belt
The Flare Belt is worn around the lower leg. Begin with a shotgun shell belt. These can be found at K-mart, Wal-Mart or any other sporting goods stores. Cut the belt to the proper length and sew on velcro to close it.
The flares themselves are just some silver plastic toilet paper rolls, pulled apart and inserted into the individual enclosures. These plastic rolls can also used on the waist belt.
An alternative to toilet paper rolls would be to grab some CO2 cartridges from your local sporting goods store.
Control Rods
These were plastic pourers, used to stick into liquor bottles. Paint them chrome and super glued them onto lengths of acrylic rods of varying sizes. These rods should be placed in the left upper sleeve pocket.
Belt / Leg Straps
Simply several lengths of 2" wide elastic, painted gray with fabric paint. All the closures are velcro, so the buckle on the front doesn't really buckle.
Pictures
Helmet
Pocket Diagram 1
Pocket Diagram 2
