GINO

Just in case there is still some confusion amongst anyone. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ORIGINAL SET OF ANH ARMOR THAT HAS BEEN CAST. Only a ROTJ, and it is the origin of ALL the film armor derivitives. Also, regarding the TM stuff, no set of scratch built armor could ever be as accurate as the suckiest version of recast ROTJ armor. Reason for this is that at least the ROTJ armor was made from an ANH set. Scratch built will always be at the bottom of the barrel in terms of accuracy.

Just this once, I'm going to break my promise not to address Matt, however this just needs to be said: Never claimed to have molded an original myself. The molds I have are mold duplicates of molds taken from the inside of the original ANH helmet. The helmet molds that were sent back to you, were paid for and owned by Dave, but since we had duplicates, Dave thought it the lesser of two evils to send back the originals just to get your crazy an impolite person off his back because at the time, you were interfering with his real life business. He was NOT obligated to do this as they were HIS property. He did this under strong protest from me, but I kind of understood why he did it. Now in hindsight, it shows that he was very foolish to do so. As a precautionary measure to make sure you kept your word that you only wanted them back for posterity sake and not to make helmets, (as was per your agreement when the helmet and armor molds were sold) Dave removed several key details from the faceplate and modified several areas so that we would know if you violated our agreement. Which of course you did. Pretty smart of him I must say. My story has always been straight. Maybe you should take a look at yours and stop fabricating history so that you can continue to take advantage of the unknowing. You keep speaking of this imaginary lawsuit. Feel free to post proof of this anytime you wish. Yes, Gielda bought them, but I was working with him at that time, and now they are mine. Now that I've cleared up some of those questions, I have some for you. Officially on the record, what did you and Dan use to create the TE2 armor molds? I already know the answer that it was partially recast from GF/AP, modified, and supplemented with tour suit parts, but I want to hear you deny it publicly for all to see so that when it is proven here, all your credibility (for whatever that's worth) is lost. All ears. And BTW, it's been awhile since you blew up on a forum when people started to catch on and call you out on your BS which then in turn causes you to "leave" in some dramatic fashion. What's this, like the 5th or 6th time? Always entertaining. PLEASE Mr. Trooperexpert, don't leave us. What will we do, where will we go? Frankly my dear....

That's correct, however the mold I have for the ANH faceplate is a mold duplicate taken back in 1999 before it was modified and sent back to Matt. The reason it was sent back to Matt was not because it was his, (because it wasn't, after it was paid for), but is part of a longer more in-depth story. The ANH back/cap mold I have is a mold duplicate made off the original before it took the damage it now has currently.

Just wanted to make sure we were straight as your earlier post made it seem like you were objecting to that. Still like to hear Dan answer my questions.

The original molds that I have were sold back in 1999. They've never left my possession. See if Matt denies this so I can prove he is a liar here once and for all. Matt's re-selling of any other molds are recasts and tour suit parts.

Actually, the molds are in great shape and not warped or deviate from the original forms at all. So what was your basis for the TE2? I know it wasn't another cast from the original suit for a fact. GF will attest that a good deal of the parts were recast from his molds. In case anyone doesn't know, Dan is setting the stage here for his new project of taking over trooper production from Matt. That is why he is trying to make it look like the stuff I have is crap. When people who do have my armor compared it to every other armor out there, can attest that it is head and shoulders above the rest. Just know Dan, that anything you do to "perfect" the armor will never make it more accurate as you cannot replace all the nuances that were removed from the molds Matt or anyone else had/has.

So are you insinuating that I DON'T have the original molds that touched the suit? Don't make me make you look even more uninformed. If you were told that the molds that were sent to Tony were the original molds, then you were OUTRIGHT LIED TO. And I can prove it. Then what will you think of your master? "Say it ain't so Matt."

No, it's because they are recast, altered, cleaned up, at least 3rd gen derivitives. I'm the one in possession of the original molds that touched the suit. The tree goes like this in order of lineage: Gino (original molds that touched the suit) GF/AP (new molds made from very soft vac pulls taken from my originals and then heavily modified) TE2 (recast GF/AP, then modifed and cleaned up once again, and supplemented with tour suit pieces)

I'm not aware of any recent changes to AP stuff so I honestly don't know. Do they still offer the regular thighs as well as the larger ones? Either way, take it for what it's worth, the TE2 is a generation down from the AP not to mention the TE2's usage of tour suit pieces.

I'm with you. I'm only talking in terms of pedigree/accuracy. Not pricing, availability, durability, etc.. However AP is readily available as well and is more accurate with better pedigree than the TE2. I guess that was the heart of what I was trying to say.

You must have been misled. I have the original molds that touched the inside of the suit. No one else has this. GF was given soft poorly vac formed pieces that came from my molds which was then cleaned up and modified by him and years later sold to AP. The TE2 stuff was recast GF stuff that was further modified and supplemented with tour suit parts. The SDS stuff is either recast GF/AP, or TE2. But since they are very similar and AA modified the pieces slightly yet again, it is difficult to tell which of the two he recast. Regardless, any of the armor out there that comes from a real suit, derived from the original molds that I have now.

If I haven't stated my official opinion on the winner between these two (not including my stuff) here it is. Firstly, there are different criteria for people in determining what is "best". My criteria is in terms of accuracy, lineage, and how faithful it is to the film used armor. This has nothing personal to do with the makers of the armor, just the armor itself. For those who don't know, the AP armor is made from GF's old molds which were made from vac formed parts of my molds. Both sets of armor (AP and TE2) have been heavily modified, cleaned up, and over idealized compared to the parts that come off my original molds taken from a real suit. However, the AP is still closer in lineage because the TE2 is comprised of a recast AP/GF suit that has been further modified and supplemented with some tour suit pieces. The tour suits are not accurate to the film suits. So if you want to know which is closer in terms of pedigree, AP is head and shoulders over TE2.

That is quite possibly the most important post ever made on this forum. Those new to the hobby should take some careful time reading it. It will benefit you more than you will ever know to understand this, especially if you plan on hanging around for any period of time. Honoring the above is what gains you trust in the community, and with that trust gains you access to other original stuff that you otherwise never would have even known about. However, this issue isn't about recasting. It's about being truthful in regards to what you are selling people. I have a million issues with Matt, all of them completely valid. He is them most dishonorable person I've come across in this hobby, and I've been doing this since 1993. However the only time I really jump in and blow the whistle is when I see him deceiving people who just simply don't know better. If you are buying a helmet or armor, you have the right to know exactly where it comes from, what generation it is, etc... This was never about competition. People who think it is, really just don't understand the issues at hand. I do have faith in people in so much as that once they are aware of what has occurred over time, they don't see these internet spats as trivial as they seem to casual onlookers. Once they see the big picture, it all comes together for them. People will buy what they want, I understand that. But at least by me speaking out, they can be informed before they make that choice. In other words, if you plan on buying molds from this character, you should be aware to what he has done to other people in this very similar situation in the past. Do you think he will honor you, when he has not honored anyone else he's sold molds to in the past? This is important to be said so that someone doesn't get screwed over again,and again, and again... All he cares about is your money, and will tell you anything you need to hear to get it from you.

In fact, anyone who wants to contact me directly to get the entire scoop is invited. Just say the word.

Quit deleting and editing my posts. I'm sorry that you've not heard any other claims. Maybe you are listening to the wrong people. It is appearing that we have a biased admin in these situations as I've had my informative posts either deleted or edited multiple times. The TE2 suit is a recast of the GF suit that was altered and supplemented with the inaccurate tour suit pieces. Talk to GF if you think I'm not being truthful. AND STOP ABUSING YOUR ADMIN PRIVILAGES WITH YOUR BIAS Its not fair to the rest of the people for them to not get to hear the truth.

Those parts that Matt speaks of are from a recast tour suit and are not film accurate. On the film costumes, it was a free for all in regards to the shin pieces. Also, it is untrue that the helmet molds are 1st gen castings. <flames removed by moderator>

I think I'm experiencing Deja Vu. Based on personal experience and observation, Matt will only be done with making helmets until he needs more $, then the person who he sells the molds to (and supposed rights) will be screwed over just like everyone who he has done this to in the past, when he starts selling helmets/armor again. Buyer beware. I know I'm not the only one who remembers Matt making a dramatic departure from making trooper stuff by selling off his molds, only to return later with a magical new set. This may sound strange to the noobs who weren't around for these shenanigans, but the ones who have been around awhile have never forgotten. The cycle continues...

Looking good.

He's right about one thing. We are kind of nuts to be discussing such minutae. However, it's just like I told you. He doesn't remember. The bumps/texture has nothing to do with contamination or keying the part so it stays registered on the mold.

...because I have some insight into the manufacturing process that no one else has stumbled upon...yet. Has nothing to do with keying whatsoever. I'll tell you this, the bumps/texture was not an intentional thing.

Exactly. So to anyone, why don't you try not to get so nervous over some discussion that most people want to hear about just because you don't want to. Simply quit tuning in. As for what was posted, I think it's important that people see my response to it as it is not a "private" discussion. It's for all to see and benefits everyone. John, I've spoken with Andrew on many occasions at length in the past. He does not remember for whatever reason. The reason he gave about it being the hdpe crinkling, expanding, contracting, when heated/cooled is not the true reason why there is a repeated bumps/texture pattern on the original helmets. It most certainly is not because of damage either. I was VERY disappointed to find out how little he remembered about the details of the production. In the past years, he has been "reminded" by those close to him but even still there are many things that are not accurate by his recollection. I'm sure he probably means well, but he simply just does not accurately remember. You almost can't blame him as we're talking 30 years ago. Unfortunately, you are digging in the wrong place if you hope to get definitive answers from him. You'll get answers. Some will be on the money, and others will be utterly wrong. At one time he and I disputed over his claim that there were only 6 hdpe helmets ever made and that they weren't even used on screen. It's very disappointing. Anyways, I wish you best of luck, but don't take his word as gold as he his claims have been proven wrong many many times in the past. He has useful info mixed in with inaccurate info. Like I said, I'm sure he means well, but it appears he does his best to fill in the blanks about things when he can't definitely remember.

Jez, I honestly wasn't trying to create more conflict with you. If my posts came out that way, I apologize. You don't have to believe me if you don't want to. I am sincere in what I am saying. We've been at opposite end of debates before and it sucks. I would hope that by now that I would have earned some credibility in your eyes. I promise you, I know what I'm talking about here.

No prob Jez. I didn't it see your post that way. I can tell you definitively that the reason that there is texture/bumps on the cap/back has nothing to do with either the heating/cooling of the plastic, or with imperfecions, contaminants, or mold breakdown.

Yes, it is good to see pics of this helmet, and despite our differences, I am glad that you've shared them. I would say that the texture you are seeing is not caused by the hdpe, it is because of the mold. The texture and bumps are there for the same reasons. The texture is pretty specific and has a directional pattern that is identical on every cap/back. Like I said before, some helmets have it more pronounced then others and this one is particularly soft. Getting the HDPE too hot when forming will give an orange peel effect to the surface, but that is not what we are seeing when we are talking about the texture. The texture from overheating is totally different than the texture caused from the mold. One is random, and the other is very, very specific.

Actually, the bump/texture is still there, just not as pronounced as some others we'e seen.