When the folks at The Prop Den did some careful analysis of hi-definition screen captures of the "Tantive IV" (Episode IV opening scene) prop helmet down to the subtle cracks, lines, crevasses and imperfections, the the closest prop to resemble that screen-used helmet -- hand down -- is the TM facemask.
A very close second might be the VP facemask, and the difference is very slight, being that the VP mask is slightly smaller than the TM.
Now, I'm sure this statement will offend some and kick up a spitstorm of politics, but the "forensics" analsys holds true. I've only seen hot air contest the TM's integrity to the original, and nothing that sufficiently disproves the established analysis.
Conversely, the GhostHost -- as lovely a facemask as it is -- has various discrepancies and inconsistencies to the screen-used helmet as recently documented by one board member here on RPF. That is not to diminish the value of the GH mask, as many masks out there today bear many similarities to the GH (and are possibly variations or enhancements done by their respective vendors).
There is also indication of significant difference in aesthetics between this eBay auction by Paul of Elstree Studios and the helmet owned by his father.
I suppose with all things that it's a good buy based on what it is, versus what it is not. There is strong disbelief in the claim that the suit from which this is cast is truly a forth pull of the original due to the inconsistencies not adding up.
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