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TE2 Helmet and Armour |
| Updated 2008 - The TE2 Stormtrooper is best described as the new
production of helmets and armour made by a new owner, using a set of "TE's"
(aka "Anon") 2nd generation moulds taken from two original ANH Stunt helmet.
If that sounds confusing its because it is! These new helmets (and armor)
has impressed a great many people in the hobby with its quality and
accuracy. |
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| As its such a contentious issue, suffice to say that the
moulds used to create this helmet, the Gino/CRProps, the GF and AP helmets
have all derived form the same original Stunt helmet below - owned by Brian
R (see more pics of this Brian's original helmet in the
Real/ANH Stormtrooper section). Thanks to
Mike(TK-4510) and Smitty for the pics, comparisons and Info. |
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| Its fabricated using .090 gauge High Impact PolyStyrene
(HIPS) plastic. This styrene does not have a glossy finish to it so has to
be sanded, primed and painted. However after this the finish is superb! |
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| Its based on the same composition/parts as the other
screen-accurate Stunt helmets, namely: Face plate, Bumpy cap &
back piece, Ear pieces, Screen-accurate brow and neck trim (imported from
the U.K.), all bolted together with the Green acetate lens material. |
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| The bumpy cap and back is a key point. Many collectors like
their replica helmets to be as close to the originals as possible, and as
you can see the original Stunt helmets were NOT smooth and shiny. Hence the
TE2 helmet has a bumpy appearance to the back and cap, just like the
originals since the producer has not cleaned up the surface bumps on the
moulds. Since its cast from an original (on the inside) there were numerous
bumps caused by Andrew Ainsworth's vac-forming process on the originals. |
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| Above and below some new shots (Jan 2009) from
Rolf of his weathered TE2 Helmet and armour - fabulous! |
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| I really love these shots as they really look like "location" shots of a trooper patrolling
round the back streets of Mos Eisley. |
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| This rear shot shows how superb the ensemble
is, most especially that back-pack. |
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| These next three shots (including the one above) are all
from Rolf of his new TE2 armor (pre helmet weathering)- from his ever-expanding garrison of
trooper armor. |
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| Rolf's accessories for this set are absolutely superb - as
is the weathering and really compliment the TE2 armor giving that "just
swept in from a Tatooine sandstorm" kind of finish. Thanks for the great
pics Rolf! |
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| The next two are Smitty's TE2 helmet, which he used high
quality decals and Keith's version of the "Hovi mix" mic tips. |
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| The use of HIPS plastic lends itself to sharper details on
both helmet and body armor and the finish fully demonstrates this. |
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Below
some great comparisons of an original (known as "Dave M's") on the left and
the TE2 on the right. Note that this is not the actual helmet it came from
(which was the Brian R seen higher up), although the ears did derive from
it, to confuse things! Also note that the helmets below are NOT actually
sitting next to each other - its a Photoshop comparison, hence scale, lens,
distance, focal length etc. are most probably different - but nevertheless its a
good comparison. |
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That's another great helmet - thanks to Mike and Smitty for
their help. Below, some more shots of the TE2, this time from
Andy, who's painted his up in Mos Eisley Sandtrooper style! |
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| Andy bought this helmet back in the summer together with
another helmet direct from the TE2. The helmets are made from a matt HIPS
plastic
and each helmet is signed and numbered by the maker on the inside, just behind the rear
trapezoids. |
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| Also quoted on each helmet is a Biblical Scripture:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ( the Armour of God) a nice touch I thought. |
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| Below a pic of the Sandtrooper half finished next to a raw
helmet as it arrived. Nice work Andy! |
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| Below, three pics of my new TE2 helmet. The guy
who makes these has done an absolutely superb job - as has Mike TK4510 who
assembled and painted mine, adding his new decals |
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| The new decals are a fantastic copy of the Set
for Stun helmet featured higher up the page. |
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| Its a really cool helmet and the bumpy cap,
showing all the markings of the HDPE original it came from has given it a
real "on set" used look about it. Well done guys. I'm assembling my armour
now so will post more pics when its all done. Having not had armour for more
than three years, its nice to have a set again! |
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| Finally a really useful photo from TK-2416
from Denmark showing the AP (with Black ESB frown), next to a TE2 in the
middle and the cheap MR "CE" lid to the right. Really useful comparison. |
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