Stormtrooper - Heavy Weapons Trooper
Model TK 10963, Photo by Joseph Pedigo
Description: Stormtrooper, Heavy Weapons Trooper (HWT)
Prefix: TK
Detachment: First Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment
Context: Star Wars Battlefront
Heavy Weapons Troopers ( A.K.A. Shock Troopers) are an elite unit of the Imperial Stormtrooper Corps, specializing in the use of various non-standard weapons and equipment. Their armor is extra heavy plated compared to the standard Stormtrooper armor. Some, equipped with rocket launchers, act as anti-vehicle units on the battlefield. They are trained to hit hard targets and to guard strategic locations. The Heavy Weapons Troopers operate as splinter units, backing up standard garrisons and fulfilling unique roles on the battlefield.
This Visual Guide has been reviewed by the detachment staff and the LMO team and is certified for use as a minimum approval guideline for GMLs. GMLs are free to approve this costume type.
This is a visual guide used for 501st costume approval, not a how-to for construction. Construction details are found at the costume's Detachment website. Measurements provided here are are generalized, and not criteria for approval. All 501st costumes are proportionate to the wearer in terms of size, fit, and scale. During evaluation, both text and images (CRL and Reference) must be considered. When in doubt about a feature of a submitted costume, GMLs should post questions in the Legion forum's DL/GML peer review section.
Required Costume Components
The following costume components are present and appear as described below. For 501st membership only the requirements in black need to be met. This Detachment defines additional, optional costuming details listed in blue and red. Please visit the Detachment website for more details on these options.
Helmet
- Traps (trapezoids on dome of helmet) and tears (area beneath the corners of eye lenses) are gray.
- Rear traps and tears have vertical black lines.
- Lenses are flat material, green in color, sufficiently dark enough to obscure the costumer's eyes.
- The "ear" bars have three or four bumps and are gray or painted gray, with a black outline. Painting the bumps with rank stripes (highlighted) in black is optional.
- Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area. Eight total teeth on the frown are cut out.
- Tube stripes are medium blue, numbering between 9 and 16 per side with the curve bends extending backwards.
- Vocoder (vertically ribbed chin detail) is painted black.
- Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips (cylinders on either side of the vocoder) are black or painted black.
- Tears, traps, and tube stripes may be hand painted, decals, or decals that replicate hand painted.
- Mesh may be used behind the frown to obscure the face of the wearer.
- Note: The helmet is accurate in detail and proportion to official references.
- Many commercially available helmets or those considered disproportionate in size or shape are ineligible.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Ears have three screws used per side, one above and below the ear bar and one at the base of the helmet.
Ear bars have four bumps only, not three.
Traps/tears and tube stripes have the correct ANH TK details.
Correct Aerators/Hovi-MIX tips.
Helmet and details/paint is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Ear bars have only one bump painted in black (rank stripes).
Neck trim has a s-type profile rather than a u-type profile.
Tears/traps are hand painted or use decals that emulate hand painted (with correct ANH TK details).
The vocoder must be integrated into the helmet, and not a separate piece.
Neck Seal
- Black with horizontal ribs, fitted to the wearer, and extending from the base of the neck to conceal the entire neck.
Under Suit
- Black non-textured material, either one-piece or two-piece construction with no visible zippers or logos.
Pauldron
- An orange ornament made of leather or a leather-like material, worn over the right shoulder.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Pauldron is of the padded "puffy" variety.
Pauldron is lightly scuffed (battle worn) but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
Shoulder Straps
- Shoulder Straps are securely mounted in front and may free float in back. They may be affixed with rivets, Velcro, or adhesive.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
No visible rivets are allowed.
Shoulder straps are lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Shoulder Straps are glued in front.
Shoulder Armor
- One on each shoulder. The shoulders are considered effectively symmetrical; they may worn interchangeably on the left and right shoulders and have a black elastic strap that wraps around the inside of the bicep.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Shoulder Armor is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
Upper Arm Armor
- Biceps are fully closed.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Biceps are lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Biceps are constructed using the butt joint and cover strip method. Overlap construction is not allowed.
Forearm Armor
- Forearms are fully closed
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Forearms are lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
No return edge on the inside of the front of the forearm is allowed.
Forearms are constructed using the butt joint and cover strip method. Overlap construction is not allowed.
Hand Plates
- Roughly pentagonal in shape, the hand plates are mounted securely over the back of the glove. As an alternative to plastic, these may be made out of latex or latex-like material.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Hand plates are lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Hand guards are latex or latex-like, painted white, affixed to rubber gloves in lieu of plastic hand guards.
Gloves
- Black gloves, made of either rubber, nomex, leather, or leather-like material.
- Gloves have no visible straps, logos or designs.
- Fingers are enclosed and non-textured.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Black rubber or rubber-like chemical gloves.
Chest Armor
- Chest Armor overlaps the Abdomen Armor.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Chest Armor is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Chest and Back armor is connected with a white fabric or preferably elastic strap at the shoulders.
AM V1 chest armor is replaced with a more screen accurate version.
Ammo Pouches
- Belt Pouches
- Two three slot German MP-40 style ammo pouches shall be worn on the hips with one on each side of the belt.
- Pouches are black in color and made of leather or leather-like material.
- Pouch stitching must be black.
- Shoulder Pouch
- One three slot German MP-40 style ammo pouch on the left shoulder.
- Pouch is black in color and made of leather or leather-like material.
- Pouch stitching must be black.
Back Armor
- Back Armor contains a "O II" design.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
The Back Armor is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Back Armor has no, or minimal overlap of the kidney armor.
AM V1 back armor is replaced with a more screen accurate version.
Backpack
- Backpack must be styled after and closely matches the backpack seen in the Battlefront series as seen in reference photos. No video monitors, extra greeblies. lights of any sort or attachments not seen in photos can be visible..
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Backpack is lightly scuffed and battle worn, but not heavily weathered or dirty.
3-D printed backpack components can not contain visible print lines and must be sanded smooth for a more realistic appearance
Abdomen Armor
- The Ab armor has a button area that matches the color pattern shown (3 blue + 6 gray); buttons are approximately 7/16" (11mm) in diameter.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Any gap between the ab and kidney armor is no more than 1/2" (12.5mm) wide. Any shims used to achieve this effect are of a similar material and color as the ab and kidney armor. Shims fit flush and seams are allowed.
Abdomen Armor, including details/paint, is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Ideally there is no gap between the ab and kidney armor, just a single visible seam line.
Rivets on the left side of the ab armor: a total of three fasteners, the heads are rounded or domed, solid, approximately 5/16" (8mm) diameter and equally spaced out along the depth of the armor and about 10mm from the edge. They may be painted white, or not. Paperclip brads are not considered to have a domed head. Note: For the original TK armor the type of rivets used were bifurcated rivets or split rivets.
A single male snap on the top right corner of the ab armor is present.
A single split rivet or brad is present on the lower center tab of the ab armor. It does not need to be functional.
Ab armor buttons are integrated and painted directly on the armor, not separate buttons.
Kidney Armor
- A separate kidney plate is present, split from the posterior armor.
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Cut-out notches at the bottom of right and left sides of the Kidney Armor are optional.
If present, each notch is approximately 22 mm tall and the back of the notch ideally is aligned with the front edges of the Posterior Armor plate..
Three rivets, approximately 5/16"(8mm) diameter, are present on the left side of the kidney armor.
Note: The original rivets used for the TK armor were bifurcated rivets or split rivets.
Rivets are equally spaced along the depth of the armor and about 10mm from the edge.
The heads are rounded or domed.
Note: Paperclip brads are not considered to have a domed head.
Rivets are painted white.
Posterior Armor
- A separate rear armor piece is split from the Kidney Armor
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Posterior Armor is lightly scuffed (battle worn), but not heavily weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Two male snaps are present on the lower center tab of the Posterior Armor.
Snaps do not need to be functional.
Belt
- Belt face is made of plastic (TK ammo belt) and does not include drop boxes.
- The soft belt proper is made of canvas, or material with a canvas covering. Size is 2.75” (70 mm) to 3.25”(83 mm) wide and not wider than the plastic portion of the belt. The color is white to off-white.
- Holster must not be present.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Belt face (TK ammo belt) is lightly scuffed (battle worn) but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
Canvas belt may not have visible holes from holster removal.
Thigh Armor
- Thigh armor is closed in the back.
- The small ammo belt is installed on the bottom of the right thigh.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
The thigh armor is lightly scuffed,(battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Thigh ammo belt is attached to thigh with a solid head rivet or fastener in the upper corner and fastened to the lower thigh ridge. Standard pop rivets are not accurate.
The bottom corners of the thigh ammo belt are rounded off.
Thighs are constructed using the butt joint and cover strip method. Overlap construction is not allowed.
Lower Leg Armor
- Greaves close in the back.
- The trapezoid knee plate (sniper knee plate) is affixed to the left greave and may have two visible brads or rivets securing it to the greave.
- The AM greaves (shins) are on the proper legs, with a new cover strip. The cover strip edge faces the inside of the leg.
- Note: There is a manufacturer defect with the AM greaves (shins) that may cause you to wear the them improperly. Please see the Tutorial titled :"AM armor shins: the proper way to assemble and wear", on the whitearmor.net
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
The greaves are lightly scuffed, (battle worn), but not weathered like a Sandtrooper (TD).
Sniper knee plate is aligned with the ridges on the shin.
Sniper knee plate does not have visible rivets or fasteners attaching it to the shin.
OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Lower legs are constructed using the butt joint and cover strip method. Overlap construction is not allowed.
Boots
- Boots are above ankle height and made of white leather or leather-like material.
- Small U-shaped elastic sections on both sides of the ankle.
- Flat sole with a short heel.
- No buckles or laces.
- Jodhpur/ Chelsea-type boots or an equivalent style is acceptable.
- Elvis or Mariachi boots are not allowed.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
There is no seam present on the front of the boot.
Boots are lightly scuffed.
Optional Accessories
Items below are optional costume accessories. These items are not required for approval, but if present appear as described below. If adding in an accessory after initial approval, the item still needs to be submitted to local GML for approval before use.
Thermal Detonator
- The Thermal Detonator (a.k.a. O2 canister) attaches to the back of the belt.
- Detonator consists of a grey cylinder, between 2”(50mm) and 2.5" (64mm) in diameter, with white end caps on each end.
- Detonator includes a white control panel pad, with controls closest to the right end cap.
- Note: The Thermal Detonator is omitted from this costume when a pack is worn.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Thermal detonator belt clips are positioned with little to no gap between the clips and the end caps.
Macrobinoculars
- Styled after the ones used by the Sandtrooper in the Special Edition scenes of ANH.
Minimag PTL Missile Launcher
- Based on the missile launcher as seen in the Star Wars Battlefront video game series.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Missile launcher closely matches the video game reference (Battlefront series), including scope on the left side, stock, and pistol grip.
DLT-19 Heavy Blaster Rifle
- Based on a real or replica MG-34 machine gun.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
A DLT-19 is an MG-34 with T-tracks on the barrel, ejection port cover added, and a small disk on left side.
3D printed blasters can not contain visible print lines and must be sanded smooth for a more realistic appearance.
RT-97C Heavy Blaster Rifle
- Based on a real or replica MG-15 machine gun.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Correct style scopes.
Silver metal hose is present on the right hand side of barrel between the trigger and “saddle barrel”.
3D printed blasters can not contain visible print lines and must be sanded smooth for a more realistic appearance.
T-21 Light Repeating Blaster Rifle
- Based on a real or replica Lewis Mark I machine gun. For this prop the magazine disk and bipod of the original gun are left off.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
A ribbed length of tubing shall be installed over the front of the gun barrel.
A canvas, leather, or nylon sling shall be attached.
Sight shall be present on top where ribbing meets base.
3D printed blasters can not contain visible print lines and must be sanded smooth for a more realistic appearance.
E-11 Blaster
- Based on a real or replica Sterling sub-machine gun, scratch-built, or a modified commercial toy Stormtrooper blaster.
OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Folding stock.
Stock does not need to function.
A real or replica ammo counter - based off of a Hengstler counter - should be present.
D-ring mounted on the rear.
Correct style scope.
Two power cylinders on the magazine.
Scratch-built, resin cast, Hyperfirm rubber cast blasters should have a total of 6 t-racks on blaster (leaving the lowest row on the Hengstler side un-covered).
If using the Hasbro E11 toy blaster, it is modified to have the correct number of T-tracks (6 total), with a lower row of open vent holes on the magazine housing side.
This is accomplished by covering the pre-existing rows of holes with T-tracks, then grinding off the lower integrated T-track on the magazine housing side, and drilling a new row of holes in its place.
3D printed blasters can not contain visible print lines and must be sanded smooth for a more realistic appearance.
SE-14R Blaster
- The SE-14R blaster as seen the video game. It has a correct scope if carried in lieu of the E-11.