trooperexpert

The 2 set helmets are both beige and they are identically built to the location helmets. All the helmets, regardless of where they came from that I have seen but one has a name in it. I have seen other helmets that are beige and they are all built with the suspension system inside as well. It IS possible what you have is a helmet from another suit... My suit was used in one scene only when the emperor arrives. I do know LFL did not make the suits in the US as bermans and nathans made them.. so anything they used in the UK was shipped over. They did it for the ewok costumes and others.. so it had to be more cost effective than making all new stuff. I have seen pics when the suit you have was offered to me and a buddy in 1999 and the pics show someone wearing the suit in front of a fence in backyard. In some of the shots we saw the strapping system. At that time the suit was being offered by someone and we were told up to the point where you got it that it was being offered by the person that had a promotional company back in the day.. passing on what we know and were told is all. Again, we may never know, but I am talking to people to find out what the 411 is on all ROTJ stuff. As for the inside, no clue. Since all the helmets I have seen are both beige and white and are made the same way. So, I would not call this a decideing factor as being real, but more like a factor that all three share at this point. Matt

It is a great thread! Thanks! The info on your suit is based on the detective work I did at LFL last year and my findings on all the ROTJ suits in the archives and also the helmets. The lower legs are not assembled the way the screen used ones are, and NONE, I repeat NONE of the helmets there had foam. I held and examined all 19 helmets in my hands while there. I know you have said that the stage helmets had them.. I do not support this theaory as I have seen and hand;led 2 stage helmets and they had the suspensions syetems in it. The most likely theory that I and others subscribe to is this: Since the suit you got came from a promoter, and LFL was vehemetly against loaning out screen used or selling screen used costumes back then after ESB, it is more than likely a tour suit. Now, here is the cool part. The suit coming off of the same molds means it is identical, made and assembled by the same people means a lot too. But one former LFL employee has said he wore a screen used suit and the strapping does not match and I was able to verify this while at the archives. Your suits is bettter and more involved. My only guess is that they had to make 100% certain the suits stayed on the actors and pieces did not shift while in public. We may never know, but I am investigating this more with LFL right now and trying to find an answer, if one exhists. I hope it turns out to be, but my experience, the different way it is assembled, lack of markings in the legs and also helmet and paint variances says otherwise. And again, taking nothing away from the suit, it is a killer piece. The quest for knowledge continues. Matt/STE Hhmmmm.... I'm not sure where you're getting your information from on this one... I'm the proud owner of this 90% ROTJ costume (missing the forearms and handplates) and whilst there is no proof that it was screen-used, the same can be said of ALL ROTJ trooper helmets / costumes as NONE have been screen-matched in the way that some of the ANH and ESB helmets have. As my trooper costume is a background studio veriant, created for the Death Star docking bay scenes in ROTJ, the interior of the helmet is different from the 'location' helmets used in the Crescent City / Smith River location filming for the Endor scenes. However I can confirm that the interior of my helmet is a 100% match for the other 2 known background ROTJ trooper helmets in the UK (both owners were kind enough to supply me with detailed pics of their helmets' interiors to assist me in authenticating my helmet when I went to view it) In a nutshell my costume may or may not have been screen-used.... the costume's origin and helmet's interior would lead me to believe that it was, but I guess we'll never know Cheers, John[/img]

Here is a list of the known helmets and suits out in the world (collectors hands). I do know peoples names but to be nice, I will not name them. ANH: Standard helmet (TE #1) "set for Stun' helmet (TE #2) one stunt helmet in the LFL archives (5 holed version) One Jason Joiner restored (BADLY should not have been done) One ANH Hero in LFL archives (NOT Mark Hamill's helmet) One ANH helmet (0wned by Mark Hamill Not sure of version) Stop that ship sandtrooper helmet (screenused.com) Move along helmet (bought at Christies auction) Suits: LFL has 6 suits and one IS Mark Hamills suit, as it is cut down and smaller for the chest and other parts. I found this one while at the archives with the other 5. to date, no suits or parts have surfaced. Sad.. ESB 2 helmets known to exhist sold via auction One ESB head to toe suit sold at Christies auction house in 1998. Owner is unknown and has never been able to be identified ROTJ 19 helmets and suits in the LFL archives. I found, handled and identified all of these for them while there this last year. Most of the helmets are white, maybe one or two beige ones. The armor is all white that we found. there are at least 3 known in the LA area. There is one in NY One in Maryland There are 2-3 in England one in the US at an undisclosed location There are more but the ROTJ helmets change hands so often it is hard to keep track sometimes. I did know where 10-12 were once, but that was a while ago. ROTJ Suits There was one sold in minnesota of all places in 1999 and it has never been seen since. I had the pics of it and lost it in a hard drive accident. There is the one I used to own at an undisclosed location and I may be buying it back! WOOHOO! There is the one in the UK that is not screen used, but still considered real since it is mostly identical to how the originals were assembled and strapped. Taking nothing away from it, it is still a great piece and worth having. Robert Watts production designer and 2nd unit director of ROTJ has a head to toe suit in his collection and it can be seen behind him on the empire of dreams dvd. So, thats basically it.. if we find more, nice to add them to the list. So buy them when you find them! Matt/STE

you saw photos from the new DVD (captures) and shows 3 guys walking away from the camera with the packs and helmets, some arm parts and some legs taken off... Matt/STE

I have seen both used in all three films. Their are also other detail plate variences as well. I dont think there is a right or worng part, just what you like and what you prefer. Keep in mind to make 56 costumesas fast as you can, and also the 'miraculous molds' surviving a fire ( sorry, destroyed) they may have had to re-do some parts and make all new molds of some pieces. Sadly we will never know as AA keeps lying out his cornhole at every chance he gets. So, some are smaller, like the ROTJ canisters and some larger and they do have different plates. Matt/STE

well, that explains why she is late.. dang.. well, back to the old message boards.. Thanks for trying Seth.. Make sure to give her food and water next time too... I like them not TOO skinny.. Matt/STE

I was thinking of a founders gift: I like Russain women, 5'3" to 5'6".. blonde and speaks some english, not a lot. More mystery that way. Or if that is too tall an order, how about a nice steak.. 16oz. NY with flaming peppercorn brandy sauce, garlic mashed and frsh cut green beans with a nice bottle of Cabernet, Kendal Jackson. Yeah baby! Thats about all I would like.. Matt/STE

got you beat, EVERYONE calls me $#()@#&@*%)- head... I will let you fill in the first part... Matt/STE

Guys, all the items except a smittering of parts is already made. The hamburger storage set is made still but only available as a promotional Item. I can get access to these as I am in cahoots with a local dealer. Also the meat keeper is made as well as the ice cream keeper. The blue milk containers and cups are what is called a sweet saver and these are no longer made. ebay has them all the time. The idea is nice, but let me do some research with the local dealer and get a price list going for the parts we all need. Matt/STE

Better shoot me some pics of the inside. and also the right profile. If there is not a signature in it, then you got screwed. JCF was aslo the one that showed off the meatsock helmets to everyone sayng a new helmet was made. hmmm.. he lives in new york and so does meatsock.. hmmm... Are the tube stripes painted??? Matt/STE

too right.. off to ride in my lorry! Pip pip cheerio Guns! Thanks for setting me straight! WHEW! Matt/STE

Oh yes, the dome is a milk dud. ROTJ helmets, almost 90% of them are total crap. The lenses are individual and are glued in with silicone caulking. My pleasure to share with you guys! Mat/STE

The original helmets were supposed to have 5 per side, but due to a bad form or in this case, crappy mold ripp-off, he did not get all the detail and lied and ripped people off with a crap product and shoddy craftsmanship. Matt/STE

Meatsock all the way. A total rip off artist that claimed he molded a helmet in switzerland and did not take pics and then the guy died so he could not go back and get photos of the real helmet. I left a 'tell' in that helmet he cast and it is there to this day. Even on the recasts of the recats of the metsock.. his is a 3rd-4th casting. A real loser and a total POS. A side shot will show the tell and also his really horrible trimming jobs he did to the helmets. Matt/STE

well, time to reveal this. This is what the interior of an ROTJ helmet looks like... enjoy! Make sure to use a vintage hard had to have the stupid adjustment knob absent for fitting movie sized helmets better. The tabs are expoxied to the inside of the helmet and then nylon cord and a simple nylon webbing added to create a suspension net. Cannot get more cheap or simple than that! Matt/STE

I do. The second helmet is scanned from the 2nd ANH helmet I owned. It is the set for stun helmet and it is vastly different. We have found the helmet in the film in 4 places. It is a really well detailed and angular helmet and is in the forefront of a ton of shots. The difference is this helmet was a great pull and very detailed and when it was put together was given a slightly wider look to it due to how it was cut (cap and back) as well as the angle the face was placed into it and then heated to fit. So yes, it is different and you will be able to tell the differences immediately. Matt/STE

and where they are made.... Otherwise, same molds... same skill.. new hands making the magic happen... Matt/STE

Believe me, I would like to have the originals still That I have owned, but the deicsion was not all mine on both accounts. I just got lucky is all it was guys. I did my homework and I knew what to look for and what to ask when presented with them for sale. Yes, they are beaten, but worth every penny since so many were destroyed and re-used and changed for ESB.. Funny thing. In the end it was a decison for the amount of money I was offered for the 'SFS' helmet that made me let it go. I wont disclose how much it was, but being the only complete ANH helmet in collectors hands made the price skyrocket. I am glad you all like the TE series. It took a long time to get there and even longer to convince people.. but in the end, I thank you one and all that wanted an item that was identical and made with love for the costume. Matt/STE

No worries Matt I only ask because I have been tracking down original helmets. I have found 6 ROTJ so far, but ANH helmets are pretty elusive. No wonder as they are the best! Joe I know where all the ANH helmets are and one of the ESB helmets are now. I knew where both were, but alas they were sold. I used to know where 13 ROTJ helmets were but they chnage hands alot... I do know where 19 more are though! Matt/STE

Looking nice! Matt/STE

I am not at liberty to say who owns it. They are anonymous and believe me people that think they know, dont. The owner does not wish to be mentioned at all. Thanks! Matt/STE

No need for fiberglass armor.. Not to worry, the helmets will be fully wearable and also comfortable to boot. Since the stunt helmets in ANH and ESB were painted, these will stand out far and above as the best helmets ever to come to light. Well, excpet for the originals that survived the filming of course! Matt/STE

Sorry, only way it could be done. The wife would not let me take it apart and mold it. She said I aleady did that with the first helmet and since the foam was still glued inside, I could hardly argue that fact. I was not about to destory the only known original and complete helmet in collectors hands. The fiberglass we are using is a very special cloth and it will weigh slightly more than a plastic helmet and be a ton stronger. They are almost ready to roll so stay tuned! Matt/STE

This is a photo I forgot about until today. It is the screen used 'set for stun' helmet and the old unrestored TE armor, taken about 3 years ago. Reason I show this is so people can see what the fiberglass copies will look like once they are done (SOON!). Have a gander! and Matt/TE

I have cases of these things. I will try to get them down here to me next time I go to WA. You can also use the target or Wl-Mart el cheapo generic metamucil bottles and they are aout 5-6 dollars each. The real ones I have no clue about. Matt/STE