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TIE Pilot Helmets, Armor and Costumes
 

 

SW Movies Character Appeared in - ANH, RotJ  
Brief Prop and Costume History
All TIE helmets used in the original trilogy movies were made by Andrew Ainsworth at Shepperton Design Studios in 1976. Cast from vacuum-formed black ABS they're essentially a combination of a (black) Rebel X-Wing Pilot helmet - with the face mask from an Imperial Stormtrooper. Such a simple combination yet one that produced one of Star Wars' most impressive characters.

Replicas:
Don Post were the first licensed company to produce a replica TIE Pilot helmet, which though undersize was still a fairly nice looking vinyl helmet. Later on Don Post added the Classic Action and fiberglass Deluxe versions which were significantly more accurate and more importantly, "actual"  size. When Rubies picked up the license following DP's demise, but disappointingly only produced their smaller standard helmet. Altmanns produced a couple of versions, the first (licensed) was pretty shocking although the less well-know second version was certainly better.

In the non-licensed space there have been a number of excellent replicas with Shepperton Design Studio's  helmet, chest box and bust probably the cream of the crop - although is not available for sale in the US.  However in close 2nd is The Laws Archive kit which is also very impressive - and importantly available in the States.

 


Now Click below for Original Screen Used, Lucasfilm Licensed Replicas, or Non-Licensed/Fan-made Replicas...

 

 

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