In 1976.....
Andrew Ainsworth and Shepperton Design Studios created the original helmets and armour for the greatest sci-fi fantasy film of all time.
Now, almost 30 years on and for the FIRST time ever, YOU can own a perfect 1:1 collectable replica of the original movie helmets made by the original prop-maker from the original moulds.
Produced and endorsed by Andrew Ainsworth at Shepperton Design Studio's, these unique props offer collectors a rare opportunity of owning one of the most iconic designs of modern cinema.
These unique collectables are the only helmets ever produced from the very same moulds used to create the original screen-used helmets back in 1976. Andrew Ainsworth and Shepperton Design Studios have gone to extreme lengths to ensure that they perfectly replicated the original designs and matched materials in appearance and colour as the screen-used originals.
Technical Details
Made by the Original Creator Andrew Ainsworth.
From Shepperton Design Studios, the original Company.
Cast from the Original 1976 Moulds.
Made of white 1.5mm Styrene matching the original colour tones used.
Brow trim made using original dyes and tools.
Ultra thin decals perfectly replicate the original designs.
Mic tips cast from original piece.
All other detailing hand painted.
Each helmet is uniquely numbered and signed and includes a stand incorporating a numbered brushed metal plaque.
Further details from the manufacturer.
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Made of white styrene, its colour matching exactly the screen-used helmets we made in 1976. |
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A helmet thats designed to be the pride of any collection, exact to the originals in every way. For example we've used the same extrusion dye we used in 1976 for the black brow trim so to be assured of a perfect match. |
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The harsh lighting shows just how sharp the features of this helmet are. But then it comes from the original moulds so they should be! |
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The mic tips are cast from an original hovi-mix cast and a new injection mould made. They're actually a 3-part design with Black outer section, white interior and silver gauze. |
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Here leaning forward the supplied stand allows the helmet to be positioned in many ways - including this aggressive look! |
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No helmet has ever looked this close to the originals. And we are absolutely confident that no others will! |
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A close-up of the ear and cheek tube area. |
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A close up of the mic tips. |
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A comparison shot of the inside of one of our original 1976 screen-used helmet (left), and its 2004 "brother"(right). Though the original is missing its base trim for this photo you can see we have finished these helmets internally just like the screen-props, apart from the elastic strapping.. |
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The decals have been precision-made, matching every aspect of the original on-screen helmets. |
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The eyes are cut the same as our 1976 originals and the green Acetate is the exact hue and thickness. |
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The helmet comes complete with display stand and brushed metal plaque, designed to match other movie props you may already have in your collection. |
You now have the opportunity to own a perfect 1:1 hand-made replica which is in effect a "blood-brother" to the screen-used helmets. This is the closest reproduction of a real Helmet EVER!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What/who is Shepperton Design Studios and Andrew Ainsworth?
Andrew Ainsworth established Shepperton Design Studio's in 1974 and we produced a range of products and designs for the British film industry in the late seventies, early eighties. He sculpted, fabricated and produced the original helmets used for the first movie in 1976 and using the same moulds and processes are doing the same again almost 30 years later.
How accurate are these helmets?
These helmets are the most accurate replicas of the screen-used helmets ever produced. Each helmet is hand-made by the original prop-makers using the very same moulds from 1976. in addition, many of the same materials have been used although where necessary, more modern plastics have been used taking advantage of the improvements in this field over the past 28 years.
These helmets are exact 1ST GENERATION facsimiles of the on-screen designs, and therefore they feature exactly the same idiosyncrasies as the original helmets. For example the "Stunt" helmet eyes effectively had imperfections around the eye "sockets" which were not as cleanly cut and finished as the hero's, and again this has been faithfully reproduced on these replicas. We have reproduced true reproductions of the screen-used helmets, not sanitised toy versions which have made them in effect "blood-brothers" to the screen-used helmets.
What's the difference between Hero and Stunt Trooper Helmets?
Physically, the helmets have subtle differences as the Hero helmet (used predominantly for close-up work) incorporated a number of different facial characteristics to the Stunt.
The Hero helmet features "bubble" style brown lenses, a smaller "frown" and a lower brow, whereas the "Stunt" features flat green lenses, a much longer frown (with extra "teeth") and a higher brow.
For the original film the majority of helmets produced were "Stunt" helmets (over 50) with only a few "Hero's" made (approx 6).
What condition are the original moulds in, after all these years?
Due to the specific materials used and storage techniques employed, the moulds are in the same condition they were in when last used in 1976.
Due to their importance, these moulds have been well looked after over the last 28 years! We've carried out some minor renovation work and this has mainly been cosmetic cleaning in advance of the new production run. Because of this the helmets which we are pulling from these original moulds today look exactly the same as the originals in 1976!
Are you going to also provide Armor?
That decision has not been made yet and will be reviewed in the Winter. Hero Trooper Helmets and Black Pilot Helmets will be the next products we will be producing.
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