butcherbird

I've got a set of Gino's sandy armor (with the V1 helmet). Most of it still needs finishing up but I'll try to get some photos when it's all together. Don't hold your breath, though, because I'm as lazy as I am stupid. It's killing me to think I have to willfully defile and dirty up this helmet, too! -Todd

I don't even like hero helmets and I love that. Great work Paul!

I'd like to convert my SDS back into the money I spent for it. But that's beside the point. I agree with the others, you should leave it as is and get something else to do your sandy with.

Yeah, come on Nathan. Now you're just being cruel.

clutch - any update on the resin plan? Anyone know if the V2 Hyperfirm MG-34 is ever going to see the light of day? Haven't seen anything on ebay lately. It's like my white whale. I always seem to miss them when they come up. I've held one at a prop party but just can't seem to actually own one.

The second photo you posted is just footage from ANH that got spliced into ROTJ because they needed another "Oh s--t they're going to blow up the Death Star, let's all run around the halls!!!" scene and just threw the ANH footage in there instead of filming new stuff.

Ugh. Looks pretty weak. Painted gums around the teeth is a big pet peeve of mine (it always looks like a big sappy frown rather than skull teeth). Brow trim looks like FX style foam. Bubble lenses ain't where it's at! I've never understood people wanting idealized, cleaned up versions of any SW props...the whole premise was a "used universe" look. It's supposed to look dirty and wonky and scuffed.

Awesome! Thanks BB! Pictures 092 and 093 are really good shots of those weird alternate hand plates on the trooper to the left (also never noticed he's holding his MG-34 upside down).

Well, the answer is right there in your question: "screen accurate".

I was the one who bought the sandy kit from Gino on ebay. The helmet was already finished by him and it's the best helmet I've seen to date (as far as build and attention to detail). Since we're on the topic of different makers, I guess I'll offer my opinion on the ones I own/owned. I'm not much of a trooping trooper, more of a display guy. But of course I like to suit up occasionally and walk around the house like any good trooper dweeb. And I'm a total stickler for detail. Here's my takes (these comment aren't intended to stir argument, just my personal observations): Armor FX/GT TK suit - My first armor, bought from GT back in the 90's. Loved it at the time (it was really the only game in town back then), but have since become a hater. They just look like cartoon bobble-heads to me now. I know there are a million of them out there and many people love them, but I'm just not one of those people. Sold it off, and good riddance. Though I must admit the ABS was very good quality and looked as white on the day I sold it as the day I got it. AA/SDS stunt helmet - What a soap opera that whole thing turned out to be. I have ANH Stunt #128 and was one of those people who believed the "original molds" hype before all the drama started (and before I found the RPF). I also dug the fact that it was made by the original guy, which I still think is cool, all else aside. Now, after all these years and discussions/revelations/arguments (and after doing a lot of trooper research myself) I personally doubt this helmet is from original molds. That's just my gut feeling, I have no concrete facts either way. In hindsight I wish I would've had more information before I ordered one. If I could return the helmet now and get my money back I would. Meatsock stunt helmet - I got this off ebay back before I'd ever heard of TE or knew about recasting. This helmet was pre-built and done in ABS, while most of the kits he sold on ebay were HIPS. I still have no facts about whether or not it's a recast (other than TE's ranting), but I can say that it's an absolute piece of crap when compared to any other helmet I've seen. Sloppy build and soft details. I had to do extensive reworking to make it look halfway decent. It looks great in photos but up close you can see how shoddy it really is. Wow, that sounds just like a screen used helmet! If anybody wants to buy it PM me. TE "glossy" TK suit - These were the later ones Matt made with high gloss styrene. Both the armor and helmet came finished. The helmet is very nice, but sadly after only a year has already started to yellow in some spots and small hairline cracks have appeared on the ears. I've never even worn it or trooped in it, and have kept it carefully stored out of the sun. The helmet also had the wrong neck trim (details, details). AP stunt helmet - Bought this as a kit. Plastic quality is excellent and it was fun to build and paint one for myself. It's a little smaller than the other helmets I own. I think the small size is due to how the sides of the faceplate were trimmed. The cheek tubes seem shorter (from mouth to ear), so there isn't enough space for all the tube stripe decals to fit before you hit the ear stem. But it's a good looking bucket. Gino TD suit - As I said, his stuff is the best I've seen. His helmets are flawless. Every piece of trim is accurate and the paintwork is superb. The armor was a kit I still haven't finished trimming and assembling yet. Very nice quality styrene. Someday I'll finish it. I think I just need a Hyperfirm MG-34 to motivate me! -Todd

Well I just noticed this little quote while surfing an auction on ebay: "Hyperfirm MG-34 v2 available after January 1 2007!!" Happy new year indeed. -Todd

Thanks guys. As you can see I'm a sucker for ANH stunts. Rolf - you're right, the angle of the photo can make size comparisons appear misleading. Also, the way it's trimmed and assembled can make a big difference. The AP is a bit smaller overall than the others. Gino's helmet is truly a work of art (not that he needs the ego stroke). Now all I need is one of Paul's for the top of the pyramid! -Todd

Here's a couple shots of my buckets. All by different makers. -Todd

Not even a clue? a wild guess? a shot in the dark? I'm desperate for a Hyperfirm MG-34. It's the last piece I need to complete my Gino sandy (with SB/MH pack). If anyone has inside info on the availability of the new Hyperfirm guns please PM me. -Todd

Sweet nipples of Vader!!! . That looks incredible. An accurate ANH suit is definitely my trooper holy grail. Excellent work Paul! -Todd

Very very cool of you to provide this helping hand, Mike. Your efforts are much appreciated! Can't wait to get started. Now I'm off to play Texas Chainsaw Massacre with this boy scout frame... -Todd

I had some Hovi tips with just flat plastic backs. I got a couple threaded posts (basically a threaded screw shaft with no head) and some nuts to fit them, then drilled slightly smaller holes in the center of the Hovi backs and screwed the posts into them. Very solid. You can even add a bit of glue to the post before you twist it into the tip if desired. Then just install them on the helmet like normal with the nuts on the inside. I don't recall the exact size of the threaded posts, just go to a hardware store and you'll find something suitable. -Todd

That looks killer. Nice weathering job! The photo with the BBQ party in the background cracks me up. You look slightly out of place. Like "WTF am I doing here?". You should photoshop a Death Star background in that shot or something. -Todd

That's about as good as it gets. Really excellent job, dude! Throw on a good backpack and you'll be perfection! -Todd

Ah, I must have misread it. Guess we'll find out in 3-4 weeks. -Todd

I saw a blurb on an ebay auction (for a Hyperfirm Lewis gun) last week that said something like "now taking orders for the MG-34 Version 2". It had an email contact of sales@sci-fire.com, so I sent an inquiry email but have not received a response yet. Anyone have further info about this? I'd love to get my hands on one of those guns! -Todd

I've been registered here for awhile but haven't posted very often. This place is a great source of information. I've learned a ton and have picked up some cool pieces. When I'm not geeking out on Star Wars troopers I work in biotech and play in an indie rock band called...funny enough...butcherbird. I've currently got a set of Gino sandtrooper armor and a set of TE glossy stormtrooper armor. Still working on putting together an accurate sandy backpack and really, really, REALLY hoping to one day score a Hyperfirm MG-34. Here's an older photo of my trooper lids. They're all ANH stunts but from different makers. The Gino sandy (top left) hasn't been dirtied up yet. -Todd

Looking for this piece, too. edit - nevermind, I guess Mike/TD-1536 will be offering these soon with the MH pack parts. -Todd

Paul - That suit is truly a thing of beauty. You've done an incredible job, many kudos to you. An accurate 1977 trooper suit is definitely the "dream" for many of us. Gotta do something about that curtains and couch backdrop, though! -Todd