Clone trooper pilot armor

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The clone trooper pilot uniform was the name for the assorted pilot armors granted to clone troopers assigned the role of clone trooper pilots^[5] in the Republic Military.^[3]

Description

Phase I armor

Main article: Phase I clone trooper pilot armor

Clone trooper pilots started out^[3] with a form of Phase I clone trooper armor that was, by and large, identical to regular phase I armor.^[6] However, it contained added life-support equipment.^[7] Like all phase I clone armor,^[8] its design was inspired by the Mandalorian armor of Jango Fett,^[6] the template and DNA donor for every clone trooper^[3] who also helped design clone armor.^[6] Much like standard Phase I gear,^[8] the clone pilot gear was created from twenty plastoid armor pieces, which, in turn, were fitted over a black body suit worn by the clone trooper. Beyond regulating temperature, the body suit was also pressurized, which ensured a small degree of protection from the vacuum of realspace:^[6] while that bodysuit was part of the standard phase I kit and thus temporary vaccuum survival was a benefit all clones could enjoy,^[8] such a detail was useful for clone pilots who worked in the void of space,^[6] where they were protected only by a starship that could be destroyed.^[9] However, the Kaminoans were not overly familiar with human biology^[6] and ergonomics,^[8] so the Phase I armor had issues with freedom of movement^[6] and comfortability while sitting.^[8] As clone trooper pilots needed to sit in their gear for protracted periods of time, pilots became an especially outspoken group of critics for the Phase I armor amongst the clone ranks.^[6]

On a visual level, the most striking difference between a clone trooper pilot and a standard clone trooper was the pilot's helmet and its attached^[3] emergency life support system,^[6] which appeared as a chest box^[10] that connected to the helmet via two air tubes. Ensuring a clone pilot could be deployed into most environments, their helmet included a complete respirator system and filter built into its design, with that system even including an atmosphere filter. Beyond that, the emergency life support system would use its two air tubes to provide breathable air for the clone should their starship hull be damaged.^[6] It also contained better sensors than standard clone helmets.^[7] A clone pilot's helmet also securely and automatically linked into the communications system of whatever craft they were operating, thereby connecting the pilot to all important discussion. However, because of that, the clone pilot helmet did exclude the Integrated Comms Antenna provided within regular clone helmets.^[6]

While removing the integrated antenna was regarded as a simple decision,^[6] there were moments where clone pilots needed to operate outside of their vehicle, such as in the event of a crash or an escape from a falling ship. Clone pilots did retain a comlink on their right forearm, however.^[11] Another feature of the clone pilot helmet was its voice enhancing speaker that made sure the pilot could be heard in all situations,^[6] even if their craft was undertaking enemy fire.^[12] Like all clone helmets, the pilot's also had^[6] the macrobinocular viewplate^[13]—a design of T-shaped visor—inspired by Fett's Mandalorian gear.^[6]

Clone trooper pilot armor debuted as a white suit with^[3] bright yellow accents atop the helmet; such a look created the appearance of a yellow "forehead." Combined with two red Republic cogs on the left and right, the pilot helmet was left with a distinct look that was easy to spot.^[6] However, as the clone ranks began experimenting with armor coloration and unit markings,^[12] clone trooper pilots would, too, alter their armor colors.^[14] All the same, many clone pilots retained the basic white and yellow appearance even as the troops they flew into battle or supported from the air adopted special colorations. While clone pilot armor saw a great deal of usage as part of the Galactic Republic Navy due to the pilots' role in flying spacecraft, the gear did see use as part of the ground-based Grand Army of the Republic in the capacity of operating ground vehicles.^[12] The pilots of All Terrain Tactical Enforcers, known simply as AT-TE Drivers, wore a helmet with grey and gold markings.^[15] However, not all AT-TE operators adopted that coloration and instead appeared with the yellow markings^[16] of standard pilots.^[12]

Use of other armors

Clone trooper pilots tasked with operating experimental craft had unique armors of their own. For example,^[17] stealth clone pilots wore a black jumpsuit with several small pieces of armor. Their helmet was much larger than the average clone helmet and attached to a life support unit via a single tube, which connected to the front of the clone's helmet. One stealth clone pilot in such gear helped fly a IPV-2C Stealth Corvette, which was further staffed by a number of special ops clone troopers.^[18]

One clone trooper who took over the task of piloting the vessel Twilight for Jedi General Anakin Skywalker during the mission to Skytop Station wore only generic Phase I armor.^[19]

Phase II armors

Closed helmet armor

Main article: Phase II pilot armor (closed helmet)

During the Clone Wars, clone troopers would receive improvement to their equipment^[20] as the war against the Confederacy of Independent Systems dragged on.^[21] Phase II clone trooper armor was gradually introduced to the clone ranks^[22] as a much improved set of armor,^[23] including making sitting in the uniform much more comfortable.^[8] Like the rest of the clones, clone trooper pilots were granted improved gear, which featured an updated rig.^[17] The armor featured the same body armor as infantry soldiers but included a new helmet, which connected to the same^[10] emergency life support system^[6] chest box from the Phase I design. The chest box connected to the front of the helmet by two tubes, with those hoses long enough to enable head movement.^[10] The helmet saw use throughout the Clone Wars^[24] and then persisted into the Imperial Era.^[25]

The yellow helmet markings seen the Phase I kit^[6] persisted into the Phase II pilot helmet design^[26] unless the clone pilot in question customized their armor.^[14] The cogs, seen as red markings on the Phase I design,^[6] appeared red^[27] or black on the Phase II.^[26] As Phase II clone pilot armor continued to see customization by its wearers, the gear was modified to their liking,^[20] such as applying their own colorizations to the armor.^[20][24] In the Imperial Era, as clone trooper armor was forced to return to its white basis^[28] or adopt grey markings^[25] with a few exceptions,^[29][30] clone trooper pilots wore their gear with an all-white colorization.^[25]

Open faced helmet armor

Main article: Phase II pilot armor

By the final days of the Clone Wars,^[31] specifically having been introduced on Kamino at least by the time of Advanced Recon Commando Fives's escape from Tipoca City^[32] in 19 BBY,^[33] another suit of clone trooper pilot armor had been introduced^[31] as a Phase II alternative.^[6] Identified as the Phase II pilot armor^[34] despite the existence of the other Phase II gear, the outfit was more comfortable and mostly fabric-based,^[6]

^[35]

Unlike the other Phase II pilot helmet design, which featured a fully closed helmet design that totally covered the clone's head,^[24] the new armor had an open faced helmet that allowed for better visibility during space combat.^[31] However, a number of other clone pilots remained in the other Phase II design.^[36]

Additionally, clones who piloted the Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter needed to wear a fully enclosed helmet^[34] on the blue flight suit designbecause their starfighter lacked an built-in life support systems.^[34]

also seen on palpatine's shuttle and turbo tank

For unique armor markings, the helmet of each clone pilot

Use of standard clone trooper armor

Some clone troopers seen in piloting roles were equipped with regular clone trooper armor during the Clone Wars and Imperial Era.

raxus tank pilot

History

Behind the scenes

Helmet collection 40 error

HC 45 error with phase 1 being same

Gold Leader (Anaxes)

Appearances

Sources

{{Incomplete list}}

• "Darkness on Umbara" Episode Guide – The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
• "Carnage of Krell" Episode Guide – The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
• Star Wars Helmet Collection: Clone Pilot Helmets: Clone Pilot
• Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia (First identified as clone trooper pilot uniform)
• Movie Masterpiece Series (Pack: Clone Pilot) (backup link)
• Clone Trooper Armor in the Databank (backup link)

Notes and references

[[Category:Clone trooper armor variants]]

Sidious work

Maul's belated revenge

The War of the Bounty Hunters

Putting the pieces together

Dealing with Qi'ra

Notes and references

Lothal occupation

Notes and references