Original Stormtrooper Armor - Signature Edition
Linus Tech Tips
·Linus Tech Tips
·2014-05-07
·
1,651 words · ~8 min read
0:00
like so many of you admit it I've more
0:04
than once burnt the Midnight Oil looking at stormtrooper armor online and
0:07
waffling over the purchase it's either quite expensive or it's a lot of work
0:12
usually both and one of those things where you're unlikely to make the
0:16
decision
0:22
lightly with its Factory tuning and data center DNA an Intel 730 series SSD is an
0:28
amazing choice for Gamers and performance enthusiasts personally I
0:33
couldn't justify it for cosplay since I really just don't get out that much
0:37
which means that the wearability of the armor was less of a concern for me than
0:42
the collectibility of it but I'd also feel stupid for buying a full life-size
0:47
kit of collectible armor that I can't actually wear so in an Ideal World I
0:52
would want both and the place I always ended up at was original Stormtrooper
0:57
tocom which is run by Andrew answorth of shepperton Design Studio
1:00
yes the makers of the stormtrooper costumes among other things from Star
1:06
Wars A New Hope they've got affordable stuff in their battle spec lineup but
1:11
the one that I always really lusted after was the original line the website
1:15
boasts that the original line is made from the highest quality materials and
1:19
is suitable for display or for trooping but most importantly to a collector the
1:24
original line is Handmade by the original prop maker himself Andrew
1:29
answorth wor oh and they're signed too so having spent a fair amount of time on
1:34
their site when those guys reached out to me out of the freaking blue and said
1:39
hey we'll send you a full set of everything armor helmet boots
1:43
Blaster and all you have to do is film a guide on how to put it on I just about
1:48
crapped my pants which is nothing compared to my reaction when it finally
1:52
arrived something we actually had the pleasure of capturing live I can't
1:57
promise that on that occasion no pants crapping occurred so having cleaned
2:02
myself up and calmed down a little bit I've collected everything together and
2:07
it's time to get started now I've
2:10
unboxed a lot of really cool stuff in my day but in spite of the DIY packaging
2:16
this was among my best unboxing experiences ever the meticulous care
2:21
that went into protecting each piece the
2:25
discovery of each signature as I went through the packaging and even the
2:29
manual itself was an experience I mean
2:33
do you guys remember when manuals were one of the most fun things about getting
2:37
a new video game they'd have instructions some great illustrations
2:41
and concept art they'd have some cool lore and maybe a note from the lead game
2:46
designer well this one really took me back I think the inkjet printing and
2:50
handbound construction actually add to the experience of reading about the
2:54
humble origins of the project and help you appreciate the preservation of of
3:00
the original molds that these pieces are made from even more the armor was made
3:05
for a 165 lb 5' 10 in person but the
3:10
website says it can fit anyone from about 56 to 62 I'm at the very bottom of
3:15
that range and I weigh about 145 lbs so we'll see how it goes suiting up can
3:21
sort of be done alone but if you have a friend to help you it's a lot faster and
3:25
easier you start with the black bodysuit
3:28
and at this point I would recommend laying out all of the pieces where you
3:31
can reach them easily without bending over if you're going to gear yourself up
3:36
the abdominal front and back have adjustable straps that go over the
3:39
shoulders and cross over in the front with velcro straps on either side for
3:44
narrowing the gap between them for shoes
3:47
the pimp 50 model from fantasma is
3:51
popular because shepperton Design Studios doesn't actually provide shoes
3:55
um and I'd recommend putting these shoes on now before the Caff and thought armor
4:01
starting with the calves for each piece open the velcro at the back identify
4:05
which side of the body it goes on red dots for the right green dots for the
4:10
left then clamp them onto your legs you should adjust the velcro overlays for
4:14
the tightest possible fit the thighs are
4:17
then attached to the abdominal front with the included snaps that hang down
4:23
the chest and upper back comes assembled in the box so you just slide it over
4:27
your head then fasten it at the sides with the velcro straps the shoulder Bell
4:31
and bicep molding are suspended from the chest piece with two more snap Fasteners
4:35
on each side again you're going to want to make sure that you're watching the
4:39
color coding or it's not going to fit together correctly the forearms clamp on
4:44
like the legs but make sure that you're optimizing the velcro here for comfort
4:48
as well as tightness the kit includes gloves in my case rubber dishwashing
4:53
ones that have hand armor on the back but I think I'll get some leather gloves
4:57
to use for this instead in the long run and the good news is that because
5:01
they're just attached with velcro you can easily swap the armor pieces onto
5:05
something else the shoulder straps can now be adjusted to ensure that they
5:09
overlap the front abdominal section well and now it is time for the finishing
5:15
touches wrap the belt around with the two hanging pieces down then cover the
5:20
overlap at the back by clipping on your thermal detonator canister the finishing
5:25
touches are the Blaster and the helmet the Blaster is an authentic replica made
5:30
in the same way as the Stormtrooper blasters from a new hope it uses
5:34
castings from Sterling submachine gun parts includes a power pack and is
5:39
personalized with a unique serial number it's made from lightweight Composite
5:43
Materials so carrying your E11 around all day is no problem when you're not
5:47
keeping it on the display stand that comes with the collector
5:50
edition the helmet is available in a few Styles I opted for the Hero version worn
5:56
by the leading actors that is handmade and detailed and comes signed by Andrew
6:01
answorth but the other premium option a signature regular trooper helmet that's
6:06
actually cast from the original molds
6:09
and also hand detailed is a fine Choice as well there is a more value oriented
6:15
battle spec one that isn't handmade or sign but is able to be delivered at a
6:19
much lower price while maintaining sheron's quality standards but I I
6:24
wanted the collectibility so I opted for the signed one time to put it on
6:30
if you have a large head you may find it easier to put the helmet on Sideways
6:35
than twist it into the correct position for me I found the helmet very big and I
6:40
had to get a little bit creative with some foam pieces in order to get a more
6:44
snug fit so this is the part where I talk about the overall fit and finish
6:49
out of the box and during the gearing up process I was excited but I had a hard
6:53
time picturing how these pieces of I mean well plastic could really make me
6:58
feel like a stormtrooper once it all comes together though it's hard to
7:03
imagine they were wearing anything else on the set of the movies which you won't
7:07
have to because this is pretty much it I
7:11
had one complaint about my experience with the armor and it was that for the
7:16
first time in my life you know I don't really have any self-image issues or
7:20
anything I wished that I was about 4 Ines taller and that it fit me perfectly
7:25
but if I can't feel more like a stormtrooper at least I can feel like
7:29
Mark Hamill getting burned by Carrie fer or something like that and that's all
7:33
right by me now some of the stuff I'm showing here is extra like the bust The
7:38
holster the neck guard and actually the E11 Blaster but that's the beauty of
7:43
what original Stormtrooper docomo their stuff is all made to go together so your
7:48
battle spec line armor will still color match your more expensive original line
7:52
helmet if you want to mix and match if you do decide to take the plunge guys
7:56
let me know and post a picture on the lineus tech for of you kid it up in your
8:00
armor because at that point you are a certified geek badass you can find full
8:05
pricing and availability for all this stuff on original Stormtrooper tocom and
8:09
I'd like to extend a huge thanks to the folks there for sending me this amazing
8:14
piece of memorabilia I will absolutely treasure it forever and thanks to you
8:19
guys for watching the video like it if you liked it dislike it if you disliked
8:23
it and leave a comment letting us know if you think we should do more stuff
8:26
like this maybe it's I mean it's a little bit less techy but it'sin
8:29
definitely geek stuff oh and we have a new t-shirt design it's uh Holy balls
8:35
and it's got like cats on it and stuff so you should check that out at the merch store and the support link below
8:39
the video and as always guys don't forget to
8:45
subscribe we can't use the real sound effect so I have to be
8:52
like but don't worry I missed you it's okay cuz the
8:58
Stormtrooper
9:58
oh