STORMTROOPER HELMETS:http://www.starwarshelmets.com/MR/eFX = Master Replicas/eFX Collectibles - licensed Star Wars helmets
AP = Authentic Props - because it's being pulled in ABS, the detail is not as sharp as the TE2
ATA = Affordable Trooper Armor - Is it made by SuperTrooper (Terrell from FISD/501st) from a CAP mold
CfO = Cast from Original - ROTJ helmets with special liners inside, but they are making other helmets, even non-Star Wars props
FX/GT= is a fan sculpt but not accurate at all. Many 501st members still wear this type of armor. The helmet is notorious for it's over-sized, bobble-head look.
Gino = very accurate helmet.
SDS = Shepperton Design Studios (Andrew Ainsworth - the guy who pulled the helmets back in 1976) - a lot of controversy here, but the helmets themselves are cool, and a bit more sturdier than the regular unlicensed lids.
SiMan/RS Props = the latest Stormtrooper helmet produced from a movie used prop (this is the ultimate Stormtrooper Stunt helmet and keeps ALL the details and bumps from the original ILM helmet)
TM = Trooper Master - a 100% fan sculpt but probably the most accurate armor in the world (for not having been recast from screen-used items).
TE/TE2 = Trooper Expert - TE has sold his molds and the new owner is going by the term TE2. Very accurate.
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The various types of armor and where to find them
http://forum.whitearmor.net/index.php?showtopic=11538There is no one 'best' armor. There is a 'best' armor for *you* depending on a few factors:
1) Your budget
2) What your body size is (yes, different armors lend themselves for different body types) *
3) How experienced are you at building armor
4) It's not the kit, it's how it's fitted to the wearer that counts *
While FISD does not endorse any particular armor maker, below are sellers who have proven themselves time and again in terms of customer service, honesty, and quality.
All makes below can be made to be both 501st and FISD acceptable.
MATERIALS
Armor is made from either HIPS or ABS.
HIPS
--- Pros: generally less expensive, easier to trim.
--- Cons: needs painting or serious polishing to look shiny. Most HIPS will not be as durable as ABS or take the stress of ABS
--- Suitability: will hold up fine for regular trooping
ABS
--- Pros: no need to paint, high durability
--- Cons: may lack the detail of HIPS, usually harder to trim
--- Suitability: will hold up fine for regular trooping plus take a lot of abuse
OTHER TERMS
Untrimmed: means the kit comes untrimmed and you'll have to trim the parts before starting assembly.
Trimmed: parts are pre-trimmed and you can start assembling right away
ANH Derived: traces back to a screen used helmet. Armor came from an incomplete ROTJ suit that was supplemented with parts from a tour suit, with this base being modified to be more ANH accurate in detailing. Parts will need to be butt joined with a finishing strip glued on top.
* ON SIZING
ANH Derived armor (TE2, AP) was sculpted for a typical UK actor circa 1976, e.g. 5'10" and 165lbs. While good for smaller body types, it has been successfully made to fit people as large as 6'4" 235lbs though requires a bit of shimming to pull this off.
1. If you are taller or larger in frame/girth, you may want to consider AM, RT, or TM armor makes for easier fitting.
2. If you are shorter, while ANH derived armor may lend itself to your size, even FX armor has been made to fit and look good on people as small as 5'6" and 115lbs (and smaller!).
3. RT has upsized his helmet by 4-5% which makes it equivalent to the size of the old FX but is more accurate in appearance.
So, while it's true that every kit has a certain ideal body type, every make has been made to fit every body type and still look good.
Who to Avoid
1. Be aware that this site -
http://www.stormtroo...s.com/home.html - is not considered commercially available. It is run by a person selling recast parts, and at a healthy premium over what you can buy direct from vetted sources. You've been warned...
2. Do not buy from e-bay - kits are over-priced, the quality is often dubious, and always recast.
VETTED MAKERS
While there are many other sources for armor, the list below only contains those who have proven track records of honest business dealings, quality craftsmanship, and that are free from recast debates. You are certainly free to buy where you will, but if you vary this list we strongly encourage that you at least do your due diligence inquiring about the seller's quality and reputation before parting with your money.
Type: TE2
Country: USA
Contact: HDPblues on FISD
Kit: HIPS, untrimmed, ANH derived
Availability: Very limited. Only produces set numbers in runs.
Assembly: Armor needs to be trimmed, parts butt joined with finishing strips, then painted.
Comments: Helmet is considered the most screen accurate available, though some don't like the bumpy cap and back.
Type: Authenticprops (AP)
Country: Canada
Contact: authenticprops@hotmail.com
Kit: ABS, untrimmed usually but can also be ordered trimmed and ready to assemble. ANH Derived. Helmet is screen derived but cleaned up with a smooth cap and back. Armor similar to TE2 but with some parts being different. The left inner shin is actually a duplicate of the right outer shin. The arms (Bicep, forearm and shoulders) are the same, there is no unique left and right arm. The AP helmet comes with sink faucet aerators, which are not acceptable for EIB use. The lens material is a thin light weight acetate like material.
Availability: No known problems obtaining this, though there may be a waiting list.
Options: un-trimmed, fully trimmed, fully built- ready to wear. Options for helmet upgrades, belt upgrades and other options. Contact for a detailed set of pricings. Actions have been taken to reduce packaging scratches, and the ABS is bright white and has a semi-gloss finish like the originals. Now you can order a fully built helmet with advanced upgrades. upgrades include:
chinstraps, cloverleaf helmet foam, and darker lenses. Upgrades cost extra. Options must be ordered when contacting.
Assembly: Seams are overlapping joints making it a reasonably easy build, though one can use finishing strips instead.
Type: ATA (Affordable Trooper Armor)
Country: USA
Contact: Supertrooper on FISD / ATAworks@yahoo.com
Kit: HIPS & ABS, untrimmed, ANH derived
Availability: No known problems though there may be a waiting list.
Assembly: armor needs to be trimmed, parts butt joined with finishing strips, then painted.
Comments: The quality of HIPS material is such that it is the most durable of all HIPS armor makes. ABS is a custom color match very close to the original suits.
Type: T/MC
Country: USA
Contact: tray@traynichols.com or PM Tray on the FISD boards
Kit: .090 ABS, untrimmed, ANH Derived. Helmet is screen derived. Armor similar to TE2 and AP but with some parts being different and others being modified. The left inner shin is a duplicate of the right outer shin similar to AP. The arms (Bicep, forearm and shoulders) are the same, there is no unique left and right arm. The helmet comes with resin cast hovi mic tips, which are acceptable for EIB use, and all assembly material excluding paint. Comes with your choice of Smoked gray bubble lenses or flat dark green lenses. This is most comparable to AP with some slight changes.
Availability: No known problems obtaining this. 4-8 weeks for delivery and sometimes sooner than that.
Assembly: Seams are overlapping joints making it a reasonably easy build, though one can use finishing strips instead.
Comments: The armor is ABS, not bright white and glossy like FX. Due to material thickness lines are a little softer than some other makers. Should shine well with Mr Sheen.
NOTE: available in black too!
Type: RT-Mod (RT)
Country: Canada
Contact: trooper7@shaw.ca
Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt. More accurate than FX/AM but not as much as TM/TE2/AP. Ears lack bumps, but can be added if you ask.
Availability: Available to order, but there can be about a 2 month wait.
Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together. Helmet comes assembled.
Comments: Designed especially for taller/larger body types and has more capacity to fit these troopers (without shims) than TM or AM. Arm and legs molds can be adjusted up or down to custom fit measurments supplied by trooper.
The helmet is 4% larger than an original helmet. The difference is subtle but better matches the scale of the (RT)suit.
Type: CFO - note this is for ROTJ armor only (ideal for ROTJ, TK Commander, or Incinerator Troopers).
Country: UK
Contact: PM Sskunky on FISD
Kit: ABS or HIPS untrimmed. Kits can come in lite, full, assembled and weathered please inquire for prices and custom orders. ABS is standard and screen accurate. We can make the armour in any colour HIPS with a 25% deposit. Kits come complete with all plastic parts.
Helmets come with resin mic tips cast from an original, black rubber trims, decals and lenses all subject to availability and stock.
Availability: Kits available at all times with approx 4 week turnaround time. We have a US distributor who will be able to ship kits within the USA.
Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together - along with RT is the easiest kit to make.
Comments: These suits are cast from original therefore there will be warps, lumps, bumps etc. present on the plastic. The original suits were made to fit actors in the region of 5'10" and 180lb.... there is some flexibility as with all armour which is down to assembly. This armour is no way sanitised or idealised, it is a true representation of what is seen on screen in STAR WARS "The Return Of The Jedi".
Other Notes: Hand guards O2 canister/detonator detail and end caps, belt, knee belt and shoulder straps are own sculpt. Necessary/minimal sharpening was done to the moulds to attain the correct level of sharpness lost from the original fibreglass moulds obtained from Cameron Oakley. The original shape and contours are intact and the details and edges have been sharpened as documented in various threads on the F.I.S.D and other prop forums.
Type: Troopermaster ™
Country: UK
Contact: Please see info contained in for sale threads when posted.
Availability: Limited.
Kit: ABS, untrimmed, fan sculpt. Reputedly the most accurate fan sculpt. Seams on legs and arms are butt-joins with capping strips.
Availability: As slots become available, for sale threads will be posted. Kits are very limited and offered infrequently.
Comments: This is really beautiful armour and extremely movie-accurate. It comes at the price of being pretty tricky to assemble though, with potentially a long wait for supply. TM now supplies all his armour in acrylic-capped ABS. His ABS suits are incredibly glossy and, if assembled with care, look fabulous. Not for very tall troopers. Armour is more generous than SDS or AP, but not as large as RT-mod.
Type: Armor Master (AM)
Country: USA
Contact: troopergear@gmail.com and tupperwaretk@yahoo.com are the two reliable, lowest cost, and best vendors of this armor. Both lite (helmetless) and full kits are available.
Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt. More accurate than FX and the armor is Expert Infantry ready out of the box. Availability: No known problems though there may be a waiting list.
Assembly: Parts are trimmed and designed to be easy to put together - along with RT is the easiest kit to make.
Comments: Armor is good accuracy though the chest and back tend to be larger and sharply defined. Very durable. Helmet is a bit larger than scree-derived, and the face is the least accurate acceptable (though the dome is fine).
Type: FX
Country: USA
Availability: FX is not currently being sold. Do not buy from e-bay - kits are over-priced, the quality is often dubious, and always recast.
Contact: N/A
Kit: ABS, trimmed, fan sculpt. Comments: It's good, robust armour that will hold up to a lot of abuse. While the helmet is fading away, the armor continues to be popular and will be in the Legion for some time.
Type: Shepperton Design Studios (SDS)
Country: UK
Availability/Contact: http://www.originalstormtrooper.com/
Shepperton Design Studios (Andrew Ainsworth - the guy who pulled the helmets back in 1976) - a lot of controversy here, but the helmets themselves are cool, and a bit more sturdier than some other unlicensed lids. You can get finished armor/helmet or kits. He also makes other helmets and armors like TIE Pilot, Gunner, Death Star Trooper, Rebel Pilot etc.
CfO ROTJ suit:
TE2:
SDS:
TM:
