Sandtrooper

TD_sandtrooper_full

Model TD-252, Photo by Rolf Henrikson
Description: Sandtrooper
Prefix: TD
Detachment: Mos Eisley Police Department
Context: Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope

The Sandtrooper is a desert terrain Stormtrooper equipped with modified armor and gear to better withstand missions in harsh arid environments. While their armor is superficially similar to that of the standard Stormtrooper, advanced cooling systems in both their helmets and suits offer these troopers protection from the relentless heat.

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. MEPD defines additional, optional costuming details listed in blue and red. Please visit the Detachment website for more details on these options.

Special Notes

Armor is scaled proportionately to the wearer. 3D printed components must have no visible print lines and must be smooth for a realistic appearance. The “FX” style helmet is no longer acceptable for new approvals. For weathering, see the Sandtrooper Weathering page.

TD_sandtrooper_helmet

Helmet

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • See the Sandtrooper weathering page for more information.
  • Frown is painted gray and does not leave the teeth area.
  • Between six and eight total teeth on the frown cut out.
  • Traps and tears are gray.
  • No vertical black lines in any traps or tears.
  • Medium blue, backward bent tube stripes number between (9) and (16) per side.
  • Navy blue and/ or black stripes are inaccurate.
  • Does not need to be an equal amount of stripes per side.
  • Lenses are flat green.
  • Lenses are dark enough that viewers cannot see the wearers eyes behind them.
  • Chin vocoder is painted black.
  • The ears have four raised bumps, painted gray in color with a black outline. One bump is painted black.
  • Two aerators (a.k.a. "microphone tips") are present.
  • FX helmet is no longer permitted for new approvals.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Lenses are flat green.
Correct Hovi-Mix mic tips.
Helmet details must be hand painted. Decals, including decals that emulate hand painting, are not allowed.
Three or four teeth on either side of the helmet frown may be cut out.

OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
MRCE or ANHv2 helmets are not allowed.

TK_anh_stunt_neckseal

Neck Seal

  • Black with horizontal ribs, fitted to the wearer, and extending from the base of the neck to conceal the entire neck.

TD_sandtrooper_pouches

Ammo Pouches

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Black in color, made of canvas German MP-40 style or Stolla Wien leather or leather like German ammo pouch.
  • The standard configuration calls for a minimum of two pouches if back pack is worn and one pouch if not.
  • one pouch on the left shoulder and one on the right or left hip.The shoulder pouch is not required if the backpack is not present.
  • Option: If choosing to replicate a screen used configuration of equipment, the number of pouches may be altered.
  • Note: Screen used configurations also include specific color Pauldrons and individual backpacks styles.

TD_sandtrooper_pauldron

Pauldron

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • See the Sandtrooper weathering page for more information.
  • A black, orange, or white neck ornament made of leather or a leather-like material, worn over the right shoulder.
  • Option: If choosing to replicate a screen used configuration of equipment, specific colored Pauldrons are required.
  • Note: Screen used configurations also include differences in the number of pouches and individual backpacks styles.

TD_sandtrooper_straps

Shoulder Straps

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Sandtrooper Chest and Back Armor are attached from within via soft straps.
  • TK style ribbed shoulders are not acceptable.
  • Shoulder straps shall be white elastic waistband material.

TD_sandtrooper_shoulders

Shoulder Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • The shoulders are considered effectively symmetrical.
  • They may worn interchangeably on the left and right shoulders.
  • The Shoulder Armor uses a black elastic strap that wraps around the inside of the bicep.

Sandtrooper_Biceps

Upper Arm Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are required weathered.
  • Biceps are fully closed.

TD_sandtrooper_forearms

Forearm Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Forearms are fully closed

TD_sandtrooper_handplates

Hand Plates

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • 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 made of latex.

TK_anh_stunt_gloves

Gloves

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Black in color, made of non-textured rubber, nomex, leather, or leather-like material.
  • Gloves have no visible straps or logos/designs.
  • The fingers are enclosed.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Gloved are made of rubber.
Optional: "Cheese grater" hand plates are allowed if used with the correct Backpack / Pauldron/ Weapon configuration.

TD_sandtrooper_chest

Chest Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Chest Armor overlaps the Abdomen Armor.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Hardware from screen accurate bracket and strapping system must be visible in the bottom return edge of the chest plate. They may be functional or emulate the existence of the brackets.

TD_sandtrooper_back

Back Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Back Armor contains a "O II" design.
  • Back Armor has minimal to no overlap of the Kidney Armor.

TK_anh_stunt_undersuit

Undersuit

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Black non-textured material, either one-piece or two-piece construction with no visible zippers or logos/designs.

TD_sandtrooper_ab

Abdomen Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Left side Abdomen Armor has three white buttons.
  • Right side Abdomen Armor is a blank square and does not contain buttons like the Stormtrooper.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Armor side gaps are closed or nearly closed.
No more than 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) gap on either side.
This is done by adding a shim (or shims) of a similar type and color of material as the Abdomen and Back Armor.
Shims fit flush and may have seams, though ideally they will be seamless to the Abdomen and/or Back Armor, resulting in a single seam between the two rather than extra seams where the shims are joined.
Rivets on the left side of the Abdomen / Kidney Armor:
A total of (6) rivets with three on the abdomen and three on the kidney.
Rivets are equally spaced out along the depth of the armor and about 10mm from the edge.
One snap on the top right hand side of the Abdomen Armor:
Back of male side of snap shows on outside of Abdomen Armor.
Visible fasteners under lower Codpiece center area include one split rivet or brad in the front.
Fasteners need not be functional.

TD_sandtrooper_kidney

Kidney Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • It is allowable to have a single Kidney and Posterior Armor piece.
  • If a separate Kidney plate is used, it lines up with the Abdomen Armor, with the top of the Kidney Armor flush to or under the Back Armor.

TD_sandtrooper_butt

Posterior Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • It is allowable to have a single Kidney and Posterior Armor piece.
  • If a separate Posterior Armor piece is used, it is below the bottom of the belt and lines up with the Kidney Armor, with a minimal gap between it and the Kidney.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Visible fasteners under lower Codpiece center area includes two (or 3) male snaps in the back.
Fasteners need not be functional.

TD_sandtrooper_belt

Belt

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Belt face is made of plastic.
  • There are three square buttons: (1) centered in the middle, and one on each end.
  • Belt proper is made of canvas, canvas covered material, leather, or vinyl.
  • Belt is 3 to 3.5" wide.
  • The color is white to off-white.
  • The Belt has no front thigh drop boxes, thermal detonator, or holster.

TD_sandtrooper_thighs

Thigh Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Thigh armor is closed in the back.
  • A small ammo belt is installed on the bottom of the right thigh.

TD_sandtrooper_shins

Lower Leg Armor

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Greaves close in the back.
  • The Diamond Knee plate is a six sided hexagon, mounted onto a five-sided "diamond" shape, with a point on the bottom.
  • Diamond Knee plate is on the wearer's left knee.

TD_sandtrooper_boots

Boots

  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Boots are made of white leather or leather-like material.
  • Boots are above ankle height, with a flat sole with and a short heel.
  • Small U-shaped elastic sections on both sides of the ankle with no buckles or laces.
  • Jodhpur / Chelsea-type boots or an equivalent style is acceptable.
  • Elvis or Mariachi boots are inaccurate.

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.

Macrobinoculars

Macrobinoculars

  • Styled after the ones used by the Sandtrooper in the Special Edition scenes of ANH.

Sandtrooper_Cheese_Grater

Cheese Grater Hand Plates

  • Dimpled or "cheese-grater" style hand plates are worn by several troops in ANH.
  • Hand Plates are approximately rectangular, with a pattern of "pill-shaped" indentations.
  • There remains much debate if these were formed parts or last-minute replacement parts made of unknown materials.

TD_sandtrooper_backpack

Backpack

  • Optional due to the presence of Sandtroopers without pauldron, shoulder pouch or backpack in the Docking Bay 94 scene in ANH.
  • All Sandtrooper armor parts are weathered.
  • Styled after the ANH Sandtrooper packs or a simplified pack as seen in the video game (Battlefront series).
  • A loose interpretation is allowed, but screen accuracy is encouraged.
  • Option: If choosing to replicate a screen used configuration of equipment, specific style backpacks are required. See the MEPD website for more details.
  • Note: Screen used configurations also include differences in the number of pouches and individual Pauldron colors.

OPTIONAL Level two certification (if applicable):
Backpack is present.
Comprised of two main boxes (aka Seed Trays), that are the approximate width of the Back Armor.
Correct bend on frame.
No personal liberties such as LED lights, etc.
Vacu-formed radio faceplates are not allowed.

OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
The backpack frame must match on screen visible details and may be made from PVC or aluminum.

TK_anh_stunt_e11

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 (does not need to function).
A real or replica ammo counter - based off of a Hengstler counter - shall be present.
D-ring mounted on the rear.
Sterling based blasters have the correct M-38 or M-19 style scope.
Two power cylinders on the magazine housing.
Scratch-built, resin cast, Hyperfirm rubber cast blasters shall have a total of 6 T-tracks on blaster (leaving the lowest row on the magazine housing side uncovered).
If using the Hasbro E11 toy blaster and you cover all the rows of holes, the blaster will have 7 T-tracks total. But, if you want to have the correct number of T-tracks (6 total) with the lower row of open vent holes on the magazine housing side, then you shall cover the pre-existing rows of holes with T-tracks, and grind off the lower integrated T-track on the magazine housing side and drill a new row of holes in its place.
No ESB/ROTJ greeblies are allowed on the blaster.

OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
Hasbro blasters are not allowed, even conversions.
Blaster must replicate a BAPTY E-11. A standard ANH or ESB E-11 is not allowed.

Generic-dlt19

DLT-19 Heavy Blaster Rifle

  • Manufactured by BlasTech Industries, the DLT-19 heavy blaster rifle is much more powerful with a much greater range than the E-11 blaster. Because of its powerful, long range capabilities, this rifle is commonly used on Imperial controlled planets with large, clear, open areas.
  • 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.

Generic-rt97

RT-97C Heavy Blaster Rifle

  • Manufactured by BlasTech Industries, the RT-97C features a long barrel to increase the firing range of the energy beam projectile. Three scopes increase accuracy and versatility. The first scope is an energy scanner capable of detecting life forms. The second scope is a rangefinder that automatically adjusts the targeting components. The third scope uses infrared heat imaging technology.
  • 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.

Generic-t21

T-21 Light Repeating Blaster Rifle

  • Manufactured by BlasTech Industries.
  • 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.

OPTIONAL Level three certification (if applicable):
The following details must be present: gas plug, greeblies on barrel, and cleaning brush in stock.

Sandtrooper_Prod

Dewback Prod

  • The prod is a black pole, approx 96″ long, with metal details at both ends.
  • A shorter length is optional.