Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back production made prototype "Darth Vader" helmet. ...

Description

Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back production made prototype "Darth Vader" helmet. (TCF, 1980) A production made Darth Vader helmet made between the production of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and The Empire Strikes Back. The Helmet is believed to be a transitional test production piece, with production tells of both the A New Hope and Empire screen used helmets. Constructed of fiberglass, the chin on the faceplate still features the small triangular cut out, unique to the A New Hope helmet yet the dome to face plate male/female attachment ring is of Empire style. The inside is unfinished, with no padding apart from a loose section of foam, although the inner cross grills and eye lenses are correct to the screen used versions. The outer dome's edge is thinner in width to the final screen used versions. These cosmetic differences compound it was not intended for screen use by the production but nonetheless it would have played a significant and important role in the developmental progression of Darth Vader's helmet.

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