Stormtrooper Armor

[jaeger115]

Why is the armor of the clonetroopers and the stormtroopers white and not any other color? Is it for a logical reason or for psychological purposes only? Does the color help in resisting energy weapon attacks (white would reflect heat more easily, while black absorbs it)

[Ender]

Some armor are other colors. And white is more energy reflective (what little good that will do against a blaster) then other colors. But largely it is all psych, yes.

[jaeger115]

Unfortunately the color would give them away in jungle combat.

[Master of Ossus]

Unfortunately the color would give them away in jungle combat.

And conceal them reasonably well in the mostly white environments on starships. I don't see what's wrong with it, as a default color.

[Exonerate]

Some armor are other colors. And white is more energy reflective (what little good that will do against a blaster) then other colors. But largely it is all psych, yes.

I would think that black would do a better job of intimidation... I mean, when most people think of white, you get this image of something soft, cuddly, and innocent...

[jaeger115]

I would think that black would do a better job of intimidation... I mean, when most people think of white, you get this image of something soft, cuddly, and innocent...

Actually, if you combine white with a very evil face as on the stormtrooper's helmet, it CAN be quite intimidating...

[Exonerate]

And if you make it black, its even more intimidating

[Kurgan]

Disregarding quasi-canon (like the forest troopers and all that) what about the black armor of the TIE Pilots and Vader? And the Red Armor of the Imperial Guard? Of course it could just be for show in those cases...

We have color coding on the Clone Troopers, but not for the Stormies (except the colored paudlons on Tatooine in ANH).

[Kurgan]

Oh, and the Fetts.. don't forget the Fetts.. ; )

[Boba Fett]

Oh, and the Fetts.. don't forget the Fetts.. ; )

What's wrong with my family?

The colours?
Boba bought his armor by pieces.

I'm quite sure he earned a complete one from Jango but by the time of TESB he lost couple of parts in combat.
Some sources claim that Boba had 2 complete sets of armor and several spare parts.
These spare parts were later purchased and probably Boba didn't have the urge to paint them all to the same colour.

[Pcm979]

Why is the armor of the clonetroopers and the stormtroopers white and not any other color? Is it for a logical reason or for psychological purposes only? Does the color help in resisting energy weapon attacks (white would reflect heat more easily, while black absorbs it)

According to the Ep2VD, the Kaminoans see light only in the ultraviolet spectrum, so whilst everything seems white to us, they've probably got the Clonetroopers wearing their version of dayglo pink.
Additionally, Clonetroopers (and Stormies too) are trained as shocktroops who come down out of the sky and whip ass. Under these circumstances, camo painted uniforms are probably not the highest ranking items on the Imperial Budget.

[SPOOFE]

And if you make it black, its even more intimidating

And less noticeable.

The Empire's military strategy was to declare, loudly and proudly, their presence, wherever they went. Kind of like how the Nazis wore big, bright-red armbands with swastikas, and goose-stepped all over (you think goose-stepping is useful for any military purpose?).

[Pcm979]

And if you make it black, its even more intimidating

And less noticeable.

The Empire's military strategy was to declare, loudly and proudly, their presence, wherever they went. Kind of like how the Nazis wore big, bright-red armbands with swastikas, and goose-stepped all over (you think goose-stepping is useful for any military purpose?).

No, but it made good Monty Python fooder.

[Vympel]

The Empire's military strategy was to declare, loudly and proudly, their presence, wherever they went. Kind of like how the Nazis wore big, bright-red armbands with swastikas, and goose-stepped all over (you think goose-stepping is useful for any military purpose?).

Erm ... you won't find goosestepping and those big brigh red armbands on a battlefield in WW2.

It WAS great for victory parades. Though the Soviet march is better.

[Warspite]

The Empire's military strategy was to declare, loudly and proudly, their presence, wherever they went. Kind of like how the Nazis wore big, bright-red armbands with swastikas, and goose-stepped all over (you think goose-stepping is useful for any military purpose?).

Erm ... you won't find goosestepping and those big brigh red armbands on a battlefield in WW2.

It WAS great for victory parades. Though the Soviet march is better.

I would like to add that it was the traditional german military parade march, if you ever see any pre-Nazi military parade (mostly pre-WWI), you'll notice the same goose-stepping march.

[Silver]

Don't forget heat dissapation. Black tends to collect and hold heat, which is bad if you're gonna be out in the song for a prolonged duration of time. White may be more practical in that regard.

[jaeger115]

And another thing: Why does the helmet employ eyeholes and not a fully-fledged visor? That would help them see better without the holo-display inside.

[Master of Ossus]

And another thing: Why does the helmet employ eyeholes and not a fully-fledged visor? That would help them see better without the holo-display inside.

Why do they need anything other than the holo-display. Provide evidence that the system has failed in the past, without having the wearer incapacitated in the process.

[jaeger115]

Why do they need anything other than the holo-display. Provide evidence that the system has failed in the past, without having the wearer incapacitated in the process.

Provide evidence that a holo-visor is more efficient than a low-tech polarized face-plate. I'd prefer that the holo-display be used to track incoming targets, help the soldier direct fire, etc, rather than aiding in the soldier's vision.

[Darth Yoshi]

The white has another function. In sunlight, the armor will blind the opposition.

[Master of Ossus]

Why do they need anything other than the holo-display. Provide evidence that the system has failed in the past, without having the wearer incapacitated in the process.

Provide evidence that a holo-visor is more efficient than a low-tech polarized face-plate. I'd prefer that the holo-display be used to track incoming targets, help the soldier direct fire, etc, rather than aiding in the soldier's vision.

It does all that, as it is. It tracks targets (and also assists a soldier in checking to see if the barrel of his weapon is lined up with a target), identifies friendlies in a combat area, and enhances vision in low-visibility conditions (ie. smoke, which a polarized faceplate cannot do). Again, demonstrate that a polarized faceplate is in any way superior.

[jaeger115]

Again, demonstrate that a polarized faceplate is in any way superior.

Okay, it enables unaided vision. But I see your point with the smoke.

[Kuja]

It does all that, as it is. It tracks targets (and also assists a soldier in checking to see if the barrel of his weapon is lined up with a target), identifies friendlies in a combat area, and enhances vision in low-visibility conditions (ie. smoke, which a polarized faceplate cannot do). Again, demonstrate that a polarized faceplate is in any way superior.

However, it should be noted that certain types of smoke can block it (ESB).

[Vympel]

However, it should be noted that certain types of smoke can block it (ESB).

Yup, to be expected really- in modern combat the newest smoke grenades employed can block thermal imagers, wheras they can ordinarily see straight through battlefield dust etc.

[Sardaukar]

...It tracks targets (and also assists a soldier in checking to see if the barrel of his weapon is lined up with a target)

If they have such an advanced hud, why do they look down the barrel of the guns to aim?