An original Stormtrooper helmet screen-used in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Lucasfilm Ltd., 1977). This helmet recently has been exhibited as a highlight item at the "DEFENDING AMERICA AND THE GALAXY: STAR WARS AND SDI" exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library from February 2 - September 30, 2024.
After extensive research, examination and analysis conducted by leading Star Wars helmet authentication experts who have consulted with Lucasfilm Archives, as well as Julien's in-house Hollywood memorabilia specialists, it has been determined that this helmet is an original stunt helmet used during the production of Star Wars: A New Hope.
This helmet is believed to be featured in scenes on Tatooine as a "Sandtrooper" helmet (though some helmets from Tunisia were later reused on other sets for non-Tatooine scenes).
Only six stunt helmets are known to have survived and are accounted for in private collections - this being one of the six. This specific example was gifted to a film crew member who worked on Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (Lucasfilm Ltd., 1980).
Due to the unpredictable vacuum forming casting methodology employed by Shepperton Design Studios when fabricating the Stormtrooper helmets for Star Wars, and the face's eyes and "teeth" needing to be hand-cut, one at a time, each helmet resulted in unique and distinctive individualized facial features. These features have historically become determining factors in authenticating original screen-used Stormtrooper helmets.
The material used on this specific helmet is the original, vintage, khaki-green HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) vacuum formed plastic material used by Shepperton Design Studios in 1976. During its restoration, this helmet also exhibited the original off-white / ivory white colored paint utilized during its original fabrication at Shepperton Design Studios within its crevices.
This helmet had previously undergone some form of apparent restoration at one point, following the production of Star Wars: A New Hope, but not to its full potential.
This helmet was carefully restored by renowned Star Wars historian, motion picture prop & wardrobe restoration expert and artisan Gino Sabatino. It was meticulously brought back down to its original muted khaki-green HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) vacuum-formed plastic components produced during the pre-production of Star Wars and underwent a complete and more faithful restoration.
During the original rushed construction of this specific helmet in 1976 at Shepperton Design Studios the vacuum formed plastic faceplate was cast thin and two sections had been constellated and were subsequently trimmed, either prior to production by an artisan at Shepperton Design, the Star Wars Art Department or the Costume and Wardrobe Department, or some point later, which resulted in spacing that required a stabilizing plate to be installed, which was cast from a mold taken directly off of another screen-used stormtrooper helmet faceplate.
The faux ear communication devices on either side of the helmet, also cast from molds taken directly off of an original screen-used helmet ears, were affixed akin to the originals.
The helmet was then custom sprayed with red primer which was matched from an original paint sample. Next the recognizable off-white / ivory white painted topcoat, also as per the originals, was applied. Authentic hand-painted details, based upon those featured on original screen-used helmets preserved in the Lucasfilm archives and in private collections, were added. Using matched paint samples, this detailing was meticulously added to the exterior of the helmet, including on the vocoder direct speaker, "teeth" and frown area (natural air vent), temples and rear of head "traps" (faux heat dispersion vents and osmotic filters) and "tears" (faux heat dispersion vents located under the eyes), and tube striping (simulated exhaust filters), and on the auditory sensors located on the center raised portion of either ear.
Proper helmet accessories were installed next, including screen accurate black rubber brow and neck trim, aerator "Hovi Mix Pa2" mic tips cast off a vintage original. authentic green acetate gel lens material placed in the eye area, accurate elastic chin straps and micro-foam lining was methodically installed within the interior of the helmet.
