Gallery: Diehard Fans Are Bringing Astonishing Prop Replicas to a Garage Near You
01rpf-iron-man-armor
Summer movie season kicks off this weekend with the release of *Iron Man 3*, the perfect inspiration to build your own suit of power armor and recreate iconic superhero scenes. If that sounds crazy, it's only because you haven't spent enough time at the [Replica Prop Forum](http://www.therpf.com/), aka The RPF, where makers transform foam mats, styrene sheets, and their passion for pop culture into miniature Millennium Falcons, oversized Autobots, and other box office bling. The RPF began in 1995 when teenage prop maker Brandon Alinger was looking to talk shop with like-minded, crafty cinephiles. Inspired by Star Wars and the creative ways George Lucas turned everyday items into movie magic (e.g. using an old time camera flash as a light saber handle), Alinger wanted to make it easier for enthusiasts to find the parts to create their own props. He got busy coding and the site was born. Today, the RPF hosts thousands of projects in its galleries and message boards. Some threads are just fans admiring new props and potential projects from movie trailers. Others feature experienced builders discussing the proper way to tailor Captain Picard's maroon uniform for a snug fit, and the hidden jewels of the site are conversations between pro prop makers and the fans paying homage to their work. "For decades, the staple of the community was just a few franchises; *Star Wars*, *Star Trek*, *Indiana Jones,* *Aliens*, etc.," says Art Andrews Jr, the owner of the site since 2009. "Fans were fiercely loyal to those franchises, building any and every prop and costume seen in them, no matter how insignificant and tiny." Andrews notes that the dedication to a small group of movies and shows is beginning to change. More videogame-related projects have been popping up. The flow of projects has also become more fashionable — a huge spike of projects will coincide with the release of a new movie or game, but quickly change when a shiny new show or movie appears. Andrews is thrilled to see a balancing of demographics as well. "This has been extremely exciting as female fans bring a new interests, approaches and projects that we would have been unlikely to see without them," he says. Making copies of *Star Trek* costumes might sound a tad geeky, but Andrews is quick to dispel the stereotype that the members of his site are geeks living with their parents. The RPF counts doctors, lawyers, and even a *[Mythbuster](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SopXQfc_s&feature=channel)* among its members. "The single, unifying element that is seen in our membership is a passion for and appreciation of the powerful creative forces behind the art in movies, tv, video games and comics," says Andrews. "We have never stopped loving the things that thrilled and amazed us as children and those things continue to inspire and drive us as adults." For many, sharing their fanboy designs serves as a stepping stone to the professional end of the market. An RPF member named [Tom Spina](http://tomspinadesigns.com/home-and-news.html) had a passion for making *Star Wars* props, especially ones from the iconic cantina scene. He built up a side business selling his creations to clients who wanted their own memento from Mos Eisley. One day Volkswagon showed up and asked him to recreate the iconic hive of scum and villainy for their [SuperBowl commercial](http://youtu.be/QT3nehkPyg4?t=42s). Two other members teamed up and created a studio called [Anovos](http://anovos.com/) and their work became so popular that they ended up buying licenses to *Battlestar Galactica* and *Star Trek* which allowed them to sell officially sanctioned props. While the commercial rewards are nice, Andrews says it is not the primary reason people join the community. "Many of our members create props as a physical manifestation and reminder of the stories and characters that fire their imagination," he says. "Others create and collect them because of their appreciation for the artistry and creative talent behind those pieces or create because of the burning creative spirit within themselves. The thrill of the hunt and the challenge of it all is quite addictive and rewarding." __above__ Iron Man Armor -------------- Maker Shawn Thorsson has a long history of making [impressive props and costumes](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/design/2012/07/warhammer-spacemarine-costume-diy/), but it wasn't until he won a 3-D printer from Instructables that he could unleash his inner Tony Stark and craft *Iron Man* armor. The availability of CAD files and the precision of Objet's 3-D printers have allowed Thorsson to take on increasingly complex projects, but they key tool is still his ingenuity. *Photo: [Shawn Thorsson](http://protagonist4hire.blogspot.com/2013/04/rapid-prototyping-and-mkiii-ironman.html)*
02harrison-krix-skyrim
*Skyrim* Axe and Shield ----------------------- Harrison Krix is a legendary member of the RPF which helped propel him from being a humble graphic designer to an in-demand FX artist who produces screen worthy props for a variety of entertainment companies. Krix undertakes a wide variety of projects that allow him to stretch his creative muscles — as well as gallons of Smooth-On rubber. Recently he's created alternate history medieval weaponry from the *Skyrim* universe, pistols from *Halo*, rifles and costumes from *Bioshock*, and swords from a variety of video game properties. *Photo: [Harrison Krix](http://www.volpinprops.com/portfolio/)*
03rpf-darth-malgus
Darth Malgus Costume -------------------- *Episode VII* isn't going to hit movie theaters until 2015, but RPF member VaderJeff1744 has [built replica armor](http://www.therpf.com/f24/darth-malgus-costume-wip-finished-pics-page-8-a-175398/) for one of the Sith Lords from the video games. His cinema-quality build took three months and utilized almost all prop-making techniques: Sewing, casting, scratch building, and painting to name a few..  *Photo: [Kamil Krawczak](http://www.kamilphotography.com/)*
04rpf-ripley-aliens
Silicone Ellen Ripley --------------------- This [impeccably sculpted 3-D portrait](http://www.therpf.com/f62/silicone-sigourney-ripley-portrait-full-figure-almost-done-p8-157208/) started as a clay model, was turned into a mold, cast in silicone, and painted to a photorealistic finish. As with many of the recreations of humans, the in-process stages, such as the hairless Ripley, are downright disturbing with "is that real" levels of detail.  Photo: [Steve Scotts](https://www.facebook.com/SteveScottsSculptingStudios)
05Screen Shot 2013-05-02 at 7.13.17 AM
*Predator*/*Terminator* Combo Helmet ------------------------------------ The members of the Replica Prop Forum often aren't content with just recreating props and costumes from their favorite movies, they want to add to their mythos. Maker007 did this by designing a mask that combines the [Predator's hunting instinct](http://www.therpf.com/f62/terminator-bio-helmet-144353/index5.html) with SkyNet's total disregard for human life. *Photo: [Maker007](http://www.therpf.com/f62/terminator-bio-helmet-144353/index5.html)*
06Aliens Specimen Container
Specimen Containment Unit from *Aliens* --------------------------------------- What make the RPF community so interesting is that they explore every nook and acid blood filled cranny of their fandom. In this case a member didn't want to make a Colonial Marine rifle or a Xenomorph costume, but instead focused on a humble [specimen containment container](http://www.therpf.com/f9/alien-weyland-containment-case-inspired-adam-savage-178502/) that wouldn't have been more than a background prop in the movie. *Photo: [Valor Design](http://www.therpf.com/members/valor/)*
07walking-dead-arm-bruce-d-mitchell
*Walking Dead* Arm ------------------ The fan made examples of Merle Dixon's bayonet arm from *The Walking Dead* (real version shown above) get pretty close in [terms of quality](http://www.therpf.com/f9/walking-dead-merle-dixons-prosthetic-bayonet-arm-lil-merle-165607/index4.html). The version below utilizes clay and resin in place of the fiberglass construction used for the actual piece. Both versions feature well-executed leatherwork that captures the kind of weathering you'd expect to see in a zombie-infested post apocalyptic wasteland.  *Top photo: [Bruce D. Mitchell](https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151165711358509.451099.610823508&type=1); bottom photo: [Auzorann](http://www.therpf.com/members/auzorann/)*
08scratchbuilt-star-destroyer-wired-design
Scratch Built Star Destroyer ---------------------------- A [1/2222 scale Star Destroyer](http://www.therpf.com/f11/scratchbuilt-1-2222-star-destroyer-avenger-69795/index12.html) built with simple sheets of styrene, super glue, and a whole lot of patience shows the level of dedication and craftsmanship that RPF members bring to their projects. Also, look through the thread to find the cutest AT-ATs you've ever seen. *Photo: The Replica Prop Forum*
Darth Maul emerges from a lower corner.09CC-2224
__CC-2224 Helmet Mod__ The ingenuity of RPF members is on full display with this helmet. The orange visor transforms a generic Clone Trooper helmet into the property of clone [CC-2224](http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/CC-2224). The impressive part is that the visor was constructed out of a used Pizza Hut box, a liberal amount of Bondo, and a bit of ingenuity Photo:[Evo3](http://www.therpf.com/f24/wip-commander-cody-helmet-conversion-completed-pics-p-5-a-56964/)
