Royal Guard Helmet Tips
Don Post makes a great looking Royal Guard helmet. There aren't many modifications to be made with this helmet. Begin by removing the red visor and cutting the opening larger. Since the visor goes in from the front, be sure to leave enough room for the visor to sit properly.
Breathing Apparatus
This mask doesn't have much ventilation. You may want to rig up some kind of snorkle apparatus. After a few minutes of walking around your exhales will start condensing inside the helmet and leak out onto your costume. A flexible tube connected to a snorkle mouthpiece will solve that problem if the tube runs down through the robes and out from under the helmet. A sweatband is an excellent accessory, otherwise your eyes will soon begin stinging from perspiration running into them. You can use some anti-fog on the visor that won't alleviate the effects of not having a proper breathing tube.
Repaint?
Depending on your tastes, you may want to paint the helmet a brighter color. The Don Post helmet is a deep maroon color while bright red is more acurate.
Royal Guard Outer Cloak Tips
The outer cloak is attached to the left shoulder with either a snap or rivet. The cloak hangs down in front of the mask, exposing the maroon undersuit and snaps on the right shoulder. The material seems to be a heavy velvet or similar material.
Royal Guard Undersuit Tips
The Royal Guard undersuit is a very straight forward design. It is simply a robe underneath the outer cloak. The color should be maroon.
There is a simple sash that runs across the waist line and you'll also need gloves. Neither are visible in the picture.
The costume will also require shoulder pads, similar to Boba Fett. While they aren't visible through the outer cloak, the shape of the shoulders definately requires them. You can make your own out of pretty much anything.
Force Pike
Total Cost: $15
Items Needed
1 - 3/4" x 4' Copper Tube
1 - 7/8" x 4' Wooden Dowel
1 - Chrome Bathtub Drain Plug
1 - Aluminum Color Spray Paint
1 - Roll of Electric Tape
Building Instructions
Cut the wooden dowel into a 6" piece. Using a sander, shape the wooden into a spike looking shape. On the other end, shave down the wood so it will fit snuggly in the hollow tube. Using 200 grit sand paper, sand down the spike so it is smooth as possible.
After getting the wood piece firmly in the tube, take another piece of sandpaper and sand down the copper tube completely. Remove all the glue from strapping and any discolorations.
Spray paint the tube and wood piece completely. The butt end of the tube doesn't need to be painted because it will be covered by the grip. Give the Pike a couple of good coats and let it dry overnight.
After it has dried, use the electric tape and make a black grip handle on the base of the tube. My Pike grip is about 12". Push the over lap tape back up inside the tube. Use the bathtub drain plug and shove it up the tube. The rubber will make a very nice seal. Use another piece of tape and put it over the wood and copper joint.
When carrying the Pike, it is imperative that you be aware of everyone around you. The copper tube can hurt someone if swung around. Be careful, unless of course its Rebels.
Heavy Blaster
This is an easy one. Head to the local Toys R Us or Target and pick up the Droid Blaster from Episode 1. It works very well and is different than the Trooper blaster.
The only modifications I recommend is rip off the Star Wars sticker and repaint the orange muzzle to a flat black.
