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Fan-Made Scout Trooper Helmets
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LoneWolf Scout Trooper
Helmet |
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| Our thanks to Sergiu from Romania
for reaching out and sending us these great photos of his LoneWolf Scout
Trooper helmet. Sergiu was blow away when this helmet arrived as believes it
is THE most accurate Scout Trooper helmet out there - to the extent now that
this is his only Scout helmet now! |
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| ...so the key thing is whether this
will STILL be his only Scout Trooper helmet when EFX finally release their
ABS plastic "Legend Edition" Scout Trooper helmets late 2014/early 2015. EFX
will also be releasing a more sanitised "Limited Edition" version, made form
the more robust but less accurate fiberglass. However in the meantime we
have the LoneWolf helmet to enjoy.... |
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| Like the screen-used original Scout
helmets (see
them here), the LoneWolf is made from vac formed ABS. Like the originals
it's also formed in two halves (L and R side) which have been glued,
filled and sanded together - and then painted. Though a more complex way of
assembling the helmets this was precisely the same way the originals were
constructed back in 1979 - so its absolutely right that the best replicas are
made this way. |
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| The key reason the originals were
made this way was it was the only way the you could manage the undercuts.
The undercut is especially evident in the visor section where if it was
vac-formed in a single piece it would require the shape to effectively
undercut itself by over 180 degrees - not really possible in vac-forming
back then (and probably almost as difficult now - hence the difficult
decision EFX has to make on its upcoming Legend replica).. |
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| Again, like the originals, the
LoneWolf is finished off inside with a 3M Speedglas interior headband and
grey external bolts, just like
the screen used ones back in 1982 for ROTJ. The helmet looks really great
but from the back we're not sure about the bulbous curvature of the dome -
although it could be the photo's angle. |
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| Below a close-up shot of the
nose/snout area showing the decal detail and that Tamiya Yamaha recast
engine part - superb! |
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| We love the fact that the LoneWolf
has gone all the way on this prop and included the proper screen-accurate
helmet-liner. If you look at the shot beloew you can also see how the two
halves have bee attached together. We ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT when producers of
replica helmets make the effort to replica EVERYTHING as best they can - so
respect to LoneWolf for doing that with this helmet.
EFX - the challenge is most certainly on! |
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| Finally, we've mocked up this shot
of the Original Scout helmet we reviewed a few years back (see
full review here and
YouTube
video here) with the LoneWolf (on the right) placed alongside the
original on the left so you can compare the two. Note that this is just done
in Photoshop so scale etc. has been approximated (as has focal length,
colour etc. etc.) However as you can see its a pretty good comparison
and one that certainly lays down the gauntlet to EFX with their forthcoming
Limited Edition and Legend Edition helmets due late 2014/early 2015. |
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Kropserkel and LoneWolf Comparison
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| ...and Sergiu also sent the
following great side-by-side comparisons of the Kropserkel and LoneWolf
ScoutTrooper helmets. For all of these shots the Kropserkel is on the left
and the LoneWolf on the right. |
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| Sergiu's views on this are that the
LoneWolf is overall the more accurate helmet and specifically a more
accurate snout section and an overall more sharper appearance. However
replacing the Kropserkel's snout makes it great for trooping, especially for
guys with big heads due to its larger internal dimensions.. |
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| Sergiu reports that there were some
problems with some deliveries of the Kropserkel - with some arriving with
casting issues to fans - however his was fine. Overall though he feels
that the LoneWolf to be the superior helmet as is "significantly" more
accurate. |
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| The great thing about the LoneWolf
is that its made from vac formed ABS - formed in two halves which are joined
together just like the originals. That really gives it the edge over
the Kropserkel - which is still a great helmet in our opinions. |
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MLC v3 Scout Trooper Helmet
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| AS the title suggests this is the third
iteration of MLC's the Scout Trooper helmet. Its always a good sign when
prop makers are prepared to go back to their old designs and work on the
to further improve their accuracy. |
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These great shots of the MLC are by Scott (aka SpookyMuFu on Rebelscum)
- and he's taken the "off the shelf" MLC v3 helmet and then tailored it
to further improve its accuracy. |
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Unlike the original and most of the replicas out there,
the MLCv3 is made of fiberglass. It's
constructed from two pieces, the main helmet back and cap section and the
front faceplate/visor. The MLC does come with a chin cup and a nose piece - although Scott
decided to replace those including a more accurate "DVH" nose piece. |
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Furthering his quest for accuracy, Scott went for Trooperbay decals and finished
the helmet off with authentic bolt
covers from a screen-accurate 3M Speedglas headband. |
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| The front of the helmet does raise up
like the originals although Scott believes the visor is slightly too
flat to be completely screen accurate - and visually perhaps the
only negative of the MLC. |
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MLC v1 Scout Trooper
Helmet |
| These next two shots below from a few years back of
MLC's version 1 of the Scout Trooper Helmets. If you compare it with v3
above you can see the subtle but important improvements he's made to the
design over the years - like the snout detailing. |
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| These two photos from contributor Jonathan, who explains, I had the helmet
colour matched to my Armor and painted/Clear
coated at an autobody shop. Hand painted ALL details on the bucket
including the 'fishhook'. I then cut off the fiberglass moulded
aerator and replaced it with a screen accurate metal aerator from my local
hardware store. I cut a 3/4" hole into the chin of the helmet where
the aerator sits to allow for a miniature speaker system and vent fan!
Note the unique "chin lip" in MLC's design. |
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Biker-Scout - Scout Trooper (RotJ)
Helmets and Armor |
| Below, Justin's fan-made Biker Scout ABS
helmet. Definite improvement over the DP as it doesn't have the squat
appearance of the DP, and look more like the Altmann's. |
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| Below these photo's are of GA's Scout trooper kit which
again looks very nice. |
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| The helmet too looks very nice and I'd like to see an independent
review of the kit as it looks to be a great option for any
Biker-influenced Troopers. If you've got one please let us know your views. |
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SeaTrooper (Expanded Universe) |
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| Above and below, we don't normally do Expanded Universe
- but this "Seatrooper" looks really good so thought we'd include it. |
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